POCO M8 Pro Global: A Budget Flagship Killer with 1.5K OLED Display

Following the recent debut of the standard POCO M8 in India, Xiaomi’s sub-brand has officially unveiled its higher-performance sibling, the POCO M8 Pro, for the global market. Targeting the competitive mid-range segment, the device combines a next-generation Snapdragon chipset, comprehensive durability ratings, and one of the largest batteries currently available in its class, all at an aggressive sub-$300 price point.

POCO M8 Pro Global: Display and Durability

The POCO M8 Pro centers around a substantial 6.83-inch OLED display that punches well above its weight class. The panel offers a 1.5K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Notably, visibility should be excellent even in direct sunlight, with POCO claiming a peak brightness of 3,200 nits. The screen also supports Dolby Vision, 3840Hz PWM dimming for eye comfort, and is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Perhaps the most surprising specification for a device in this price bracket is its durability. The phone carries a suite of ingress protection ratings—IP66, IP68, and the industrial-grade IP69K—making it exceptionally resistant to high-pressure water jets and dust.

Performance and Endurance

Under the hood, the POCO M8 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 SoC. This is paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 512GB of UFS 2.2 storage, running on Android 15 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2 skin on top.

However, the standout feature is undoubtedly the battery. The device houses a massive 6,500mAh cell, significantly larger than the industry standard 5,000mAh batteries found in most flagships. Despite the high capacity, downtime is minimized thanks to 100W wired fast charging support.

Cameras and Connectivity

In the imaging department, POCO has equipped the Pro model with a 50MP Light Fusion 800 main sensor (1/1.55-inch size), which is expected to deliver solid low-light performance. This is accompanied by a standard 8MP ultra-wide lens, while a 32MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls.

Rounding out the package are stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, an in-display fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 6, and the latest Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.

POCO M8 Pro Pricing and Availability

The POCO M8 Pro is rolling out now across the UK and select European markets in three colorways: Silver, Black, and Green.

Pricing is set aggressively:

• 8GB + 256GB: $299

• 12GB + 256GB: $359

POCO is also offering an early-bird discount of $20 during the initial sales period, further cementing the device’s position as a high-value contender in the budget-friendly market.