POCO X8 Pro Max review, questions and answers

The POCO X8 Pro Max looks like a deal you don’t want to miss if you need a gaming-focused smartphone. It is priced at ₹ 42,999 for the base variant (12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage). The phone can be considered a true flagship-killer midrange option, given the specifications on paper. However, specifications and benchmarks may not always show the whole picture. What matters is the real-life performance. In addition, many questions arise in the mind of the buyer when considering getting this device. Let’s try to answer those according to real world use and tests.

Q1. How premium is the build quality of the POCO X8 Pro Max, and is it durable?

The phone feels and looks premium. This is due to the metal frame and fiberglass back. Despite being an aggressively priced phone, POCO has managed to deliver decent build quality. The design also has a clean approach, with a vertical dual-camera module.

The phone comes with the best in class IP69K protectionso dust and water protection should not be a problem. However, the screen comes with it Gorilla Glass 7iwhich may be prone to minor scratches during regular use. So it is advisable to use tempered glass or screen protector.

Q2. Does the POCO X8 Pro Max feel strong?

Short answer, yes. As mentioned above, the phone consists of a metal frame and a fiberglass back, which is combined with a 9000mAh Battery, makes it weight just over 221 grams. It is a large phone with a 6.83 inch display. But the thing to note is that, despite this, the phone has been designed and built with decent weight distribution.

Q3. Is the POCO X8 Pro Max display good for watching movies?

The phone comes with a large 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED display. It definitely feels immersive to watch content. The 12-bit color and 3500 nits peak brightness make it punchy even outdoors. The colors may appear more vivid than natural in some cases. Overall, you get a good experience, especially with Dolby Vision support even on Netflix.

Q4. Does the POCO X8 Pro Max have stereo speakers?

Yes, the phone did dual stereo speakers this can be super hard. But it lacks depth in the sound, given the size of the phone. However, dialogues while viewing content or other sound effects, such as gunshots, are clearly audible.

q5. How is the camera on the POCO X8 Pro Max?

The phone comes with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide camera on the back. Up front you get a 20MP selfie camera. It performs decently in daylight, though its dynamic range can be inconsistent. Although the hardware is capable, color tuning and skin tones are where the device falls short. It is on the warmer side, which gives the skin a red tone. The video capabilities are decent, with 4K 60fps support on the rear camera. The camera is not the focus of the phone, as there are better options in this price segment if it is your priority.

Q6. How does the POCO X8 Pro Max work?

The POCO X8 Pro Max has a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500s chipset. With an Antutu score over 3 million, it is in direct competition with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, alongside devices such as the OnePlus 15R and IQOO 15R. The processor is undoubtedly capable, and it shows in the fast app opening and effortless multitasking.

q7. Is the POCO X8 Pro Max the best gaming phone in the segment?

As mentioned above, the hardware is definitely capable of delivering best-in-class gaming performance. Along with 120 FPS support in games like BGMIit’s a great option. However, compared to phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, it has a lower average FPS over a 30-minute gaming session. This comes down to processor tuning, as the hardware is up there in terms of capability. Although this can be fixed through OTA updates, until then you can’t consider it the “best” in the segment.

q8. How is the software experience on the POCO X8 Pro Max?

You get HyperOS 3 on the POCO X8 Pro Max, which is based on Android 16. The animations are smooth, and the UI feels fast, with Dynamic Wallpaper features and many more customizations. AI features are integrated throughout, but they may not feel as extensive as those in enthusiast favorites like Oxygen OS or One UI. In addition, the device offers good connectivity with Apple devices, including screen mirroring, file sharing, and even Touch ID-based phone unlocking on Macs.

However, the phone is packed with bloatware, which can ruin the otherwise premium experience. Around 15-20 pre-installed apps are found. However, most of them can be disabled or uninstalled.

q9. Is haptic feedback on POCO X8 Pro Max good?

The haptic feedback and vibrations are well integrated in the UI. However, it doesn’t feel that responsive while typing, especially when using the Google Keyboard. So, the overall haptics are decent considering the price, but if you’re typing a lot on your phone, it might feel underwhelming.

Q10. How long does the battery last on a single charge?

The POCO X8 Pro Max comes with a massive 9000 mAh silicon-carbon battery. The phone can easily last about 2 days with almost 10 hours of screen-on time. You get a 100W charger in the box. Along with that, it offers reverse charging at 27W and bypass charging.

If you are looking for a robust device with gaming as the main goal, then you can definitely consider the POCO X8 Pro Max. The battery is also one of the largest in the segment. However, the performance has more potential than it currently delivers. The cameras are not something focused on the device, but it does the job. All in all, it can be a great midrange option, especially given the aggressive price. You can also consider the OnePlus Nord 6, which we directly compared with the POCO X8 Pro Max on our channel.

You may also like to read:

Do you have questions related to our how-to guides, or anything in the world of technology? Check us out GadgetsToUse AI Chatbot free, powered by ChatGPT.

You can also follow us for instant tech news Google News or for tips and tricks, smartphones & gadgets reviews, join the GadgetsToUse Telegram Groupor subscribe to the GadgetsToUse Youtube Channel for the latest review videos.