POCO has built a reputation for offering strong price-to-performance smartphones, making it a popular choice for users who want powerful hardware without paying flagship prices.
Other than that, the POCO F9 Pro brings several upgrades over its predecessor, the POCO F8 Pro.
But how does it perform in real-life use? Here’s our review.
The most noticeable difference between the POCO F8 Pro and the newer POCO F9 Pro is the camera module. The newer model features a more prominent and protruding camera island compared to the flatter, reflective design of its predecessor.
The POCO F9 Pro weighs around 206 grams and measures 8.8mm thick, making it slightly heavier in hand. Despite this, the added weight does not feel particularly bothersome during daily use. The phone remains comfortable to hold and sits well in the hand.
One improvement we appreciate is the finish of the camera module. Unlike the reflective surface on the previous model, which could easily attract fingerprints and smudges, the newer design appears cleaner and is less prone to looking dirty after extended use.
The POCO F9 Pro retains a 6.50-inch AMOLED display with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. However, the device introduces improvements in other areas, including a 185Hz refresh rate and higher peak brightness.
The display delivers the quality expected from a flagship-level smartphone. Whether used for watching videos, browsing social media, gaming, or productivity tasks, the screen looks sharp, vibrant, and responsive.
The bezels are also thin, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. There is no noticeable color shift when viewing the display from different angles, and outdoor visibility is excellent thanks to its claimed peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. Even under direct sunlight, details and colors remain visible.
The POCO F9 Pro features an upgraded triple-camera system consisting of a 200MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, it has a 32MP punch-hole selfie camera.
The upgraded main sensor is one of the device’s notable improvements and offers more flexibility for mobile photography. The rear camera system is designed to handle a variety of shooting scenarios, from standard photography to zoomed shots and wider landscapes.
Rear Camera Sample Shots
Selfie Sample Shot
When it comes to video recording, both the rear and front cameras can shoot in up to 4K resolution. The rear camera supports up to 4K at 60fps, while the front camera can record at up to 4K at 30fps.
Under the hood, the POCO F9 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. Our review unit comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.
As expected from a flagship-level processor, performance is one of the phone’s strongest points.
During daily use, the device handled multitasking without noticeable slowdowns. Switching between multiple applications remained smooth, even when running demanding tasks.
We also tried using the device for video editing, and it handled the workload well without showing significant signs of struggle or performance issues.
Gaming performance was also impressive. We tested Wuthering Waves, a demanding title, and the game generally ran smoothly. There were still occasional frame drops and stutters, but these are not uncommon with such a demanding game. Overall, the POCO F9 Pro delivered a reliable gaming experience.
Benchmark Results
The POCO F9 Pro is equipped with a 6,330mAh battery and supports 100W wired charging. One of the biggest additions compared to its predecessor is support for 50W wireless charging, providing users with more flexibility when charging the device.
During my usage, the battery delivered impressive results. At around 3:21 PM, the battery level was at 52%. By 1:51 AM, it was still at approximately 30%.
Throughout that period, the phone was used for photography, social media browsing, and some gaming. Based on this experience, the POCO F9 Pro offers reliable battery life that should comfortably handle a full day of moderate to heavy usage.
The POCO F9 Pro is available in two configurations:
The device is priced significantly higher than its predecessor, placing it closer to the flagship smartphone category.
Overall, the POCO F9 Pro is a capable smartphone that delivers strong performance across multiple areas.
It features a refined design, a bright and responsive display, an upgraded camera system, flagship-level performance, and flexible charging options, including wireless charging.
While its higher price means it is no longer positioned as aggressively as some previous POCO models, the F9 Pro still offers a compelling package for users looking for flagship-level performance without reaching the price range of some ultra-premium smartphones.
The POCO F9 Pro may not be the budget flagship that earlier POCO F-series devices were known for, but it remains a strong option for users who prioritize performance, display quality, cameras, and battery life in a single device.
And that’s our experience with the POCO F9 Pro. What are your thoughts about this device? Let us know in the comments below.
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