POCO F8 Ultra review: mobile with SD 8 Elite Gen 5 for everyone

When I received the POCO F8 Ultra, beyond the obvious appeal of being one of the first with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5I was wondering if I was looking at another device that prioritizes performance numbers over actual experience. The inclusion of a periscope zoom and Bose audio on the spec sheet suggested that this time could be different.

After using it as my main terminal during these weeks, I have been able to see if that promise is fulfilled on a daily basis. In this review, We will evaluate not only the raw performance of the POCO F8 Ultra, but also key aspects such as the camera, autonomy and daily use experience to determine if it really meets the expectations of a high-end device. Let’s go there!

POCO F8 Ultra: a true flagship with brutal power, cinematic sound and battery life for days

The POCO F8 Ultra is positioned as a serious contender in the premium segment by integrating the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This device not only stands out for its raw performance, but also complements its proposal with a independent display chip, a 5x telephoto lens, a HyperRGB AMOLED display and an audio system co-designed by Boseall wrapped in an elegant and comfortable design that resembles that of the latest iPhones. Check out its spec sheet to get to know it better:

POCO F8 Ultra technical sheet

The power of being first, the reality of using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

The heart of the POCO F8 Ultra beats with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a chip that arrives three months ahead of the competition. Made in 3nm, it’s not just an incremental improvement: Its Oryon architecture and Adreno 830 GPU offer 44% more graphics performance with almost half the energy consumption. This translates into a brutal experience: Genshin Impact with maximum graphics for hours without fps drops, or PUBG Mobile in high frame mode, maintaining exceptional fluidity even with tasks running in the background.

By the way, comes with 12 or 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB of storagewhich are more than enough for all types of use.

The feeling of fluidity is absolute in every interaction, from navigation to the most demanding games. WildBoost system intelligently manages resources to keep performance stablewhile thermal design prevents excessive overheating. In benchmark tests such as AnTuTu, the F8 Ultra obtains very high scores, surpassing the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max and placing itself very close to the REDMAGIC 11.

It comes with Android 16 under its belt and the HyperOS 3 customization layer. I have no complaints about its software, but it should be noted that it has pre-installed applications that many users will prefer to remove using ADB. Now, this does not seem like a determining problem to me, since on a day-to-day basis these apps do not interfere with use.

Screen with independent chip that redefines visual fluidity

The POCO F8 Ultra bets on a dual-chip architecture: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 joins to the VisionBoost D8, an independent processor dedicated exclusively to the visual optimization of its 6.9-inch screen. This system analyzes each frame in real time to adjust refresh rate, lighting and contrast, solving the classic dilemma between brightness and shadows in HDR content.

In practical use, The HyperRGB AMOLED screen more than delivers: vivid colors and good performance both indoors and under direct outdoor light. The combination of the visual chip with the LiquidCool 5.0 cooling system, which incorporates cold-forged vapor chamber and multiple dissipation layers, ensures that this visual quality remains stable even during long sessions.

The sound is amazing: 2.1 system co-developed by Bose

POCO has not been satisfied with offering “good sound” in the F8 Ultra, but has directly searched for the best. He Sound by Bose system incorporates an unprecedented 2.1 channel configurationwith a driver dedicated exclusively to bass, which literally feels in the palm of your hand when playing content. But beyond the impact, what is really impressive is the balance: Dialogues gain clarity, game effects gain direction, and music maintains precision. that rivals external speakers.

After weeks of use, I can confirm that the result is exceptional. It is the best audio system I have heard on a smartphoneto the point that it is viable to use it as the main speaker in a room. Every person I have shown it to agrees with the same assessment. It’s really not just marketing.

A versatile camera with great zoom and a distinctive touch of color

The POCO F8 Ultra relies on a 50 MP triple camera system that covers all distances: a main sensor with OIS for low light conditionsa 5x periscope telephoto lens for quality close-ups, and an ultra-wide angle lens that minimizes distortion.

In practice, this set offers solid and consistent performance: daytime photos show good detail and vibrant colors, optical zoom allows for creative compositionsand night mode maintains acceptable sharpness even in complicated scenes.

Where the system really surprises is in its AI-assisted digital zoom, which reaches up to 100x with remarkably usable results for sharing on social networks. However, as is common in Chinese brands, the images present a saturation slightly higher than reality, giving the photos that characteristic “live touch” that, although not 100% faithful, is attractive to the general user.

It is a set that meets the expectations of a flagshipalthough without reinventing mobile photography.

A flagship that feels as premium as it looks

Gone are the times when the POCO F series opted for a gamer design that was quite far from the elegance and ergonomics of authentic flagships. With the POCO F8 Ultra, the brand has taken an enormous qualitative leap, offering two proposals that seek to combine aesthetics and functionality. The Denim Blue option uses an innovative denim-textured Nano-Tech 3.0 leather that is slip-resistant and fingerprint-resistant, while the cold-sculpted glass version features hand-polished 3D curves that create a dynamic visual effect under light.

Both variants They maintain a slim profile with a harmoniously integrated camera module (that does not protrude much)They include IP68 protection and show that the brand can compete in refinement with the big names in the sector without losing its identity.

If LITTLE he set out to do the brand’s most beautiful flagship to dateThe truth is that they have achieved it. Plus, its build quality is phenomenal. As soon as you take it out of the box, you realize that it is a premium smartphone made with quality materials, including an aluminum frame. In fact, its design reminds me a lot of the latest iPhones; It’s almost a carbon copy!

Its edges are quite thin and its corners have a deep curvature, which makes it feel very comfortable to hold and light.. On these edges, it has a USB-C 3.2 port, power and volume buttons, speakers (up and down) and a SIM tray that is only for that: for SIM cards (it does not support micro SD). It also has an additional Bose speaker right next to the rear camera.

Regarding wireless connectivity, offers WiFi 7, NFC, 5G with up to two SIM cards, Bluetooth 5.4 and infrared. And if you’re wondering if it has a fingerprint reader, the answer is yes: it’s under the screen. It fits perfectly, to the touch, it didn’t give me problems even once in more than a week of use. Unlocks super fast!

A notable detail: the Included silicone case offers excellent protectionespecially valuable for the camera module by preventing it from coming into direct contact with surfaces.

Autonomy to forget about the charger, charging for those who do not have patience

The POCO F8 Ultra is supported by a 6500 mAh battery which, in real use, keeps its promise: it allows a full day of intensive use without needing to resort to the charger. But where it really stands out is in its charging system: 100 W wired and 50 W wireless which, in our tests, reached a peak of 90 W and completed recharging from 9% to 100% in 40 minutes.

It is important to highlight that the system of intelligent management progressively reduces speed as it approaches full charge (maximum peak recorded was 69W), protecting long-term battery health.

Our opinion of the POCO F8 Ultra: the affordable flagship is no longer just about power

The POCO F8 Ultra manages to translate all the raw power of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 into a Compelling and comprehensive flagship user experience. Far from being a device that prioritizes only paper performance, it achieves an exceptional balance between power, multimedia and daily use.

Its greatest strength lies in the unprecedented combination of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (which is why it is one of the most powerful mobile phones on the market) with a audio system co-designed by Bose that provides the best sound in a smartphone. Added to this is a 6500 mAh battery that guarantees all-day autonomy and 100 W ultra-fast charging that returns energy in minutes.

The camera system, led by a 5x periscope zoom, offers versatility and solid results, although with the brand’s characteristic touch of saturation. Finally, your premium and ergonomic design, with quality materials and IP68 protectionIt shows that POCO can compete in refinement with the big players in the sector.

Definitely, the POCO F8 Ultra more than fulfills its promise of being a true flagship. It goes beyond the obsession with specifications to offer a comprehensive, powerful and very satisfying experience. It is a very good option for any demanding user, whether they are gamers or those simply looking for an ultra-powerful mobile phone that guarantees impeccable performance for many years.