The POCO X8 Pro Max is the latest addition to POCO’s midrange series, sitting above the POCO X8 Pro. While both devices share a similar foundation, the Pro Max introduces several changes that could make it the more appealing option.
If you want to know more about this device, here’s our review.
Starting with the similarities, the POCO X8 Pro Max shares much of its design and build with the standard model.
It is available in a white color variant, and its overall appearance remains largely unchanged. The device also carries an IP68/IP69K rating, offering protection against water splashes and accidental submersion.
The main differences in build are its slightly heavier weight at 218 grams, compared to 201.5 grams on the Pro, and the addition of a glass back panel.
Moving on to the display, the Pro Max features a larger 6.83-inch AMOLED panel.
It retains support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, a 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of up to 3500 nits. This time, however, it comes with a slight increase in resolution.
In the camera department, the POCO X8 Pro Max uses the same setup as the Pro, consisting of a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 20MP front camera.
Image quality remains consistent, delivering sharp photos with good detail, vibrant colors, and a wide dynamic range.
While there are no major improvements, the cameras perform reliably and require minimal editing for social media use.
Now, for the upgrades. The POCO X8 Pro Max is powered by the new 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9500s chipset, placing it in flagship-level territory.
In day-to-day use, performance is impressive. Multitasking is smooth, even with multiple apps left running in the background, and there are no noticeable slowdowns.
For gaming, we tested Where Winds Meet at maximum settings. The device delivered smooth gameplay with no stutters or frame drops. Even after extended sessions, performance remained stable, with only minimal warmth observed.
As expected from a device equipped with a flagship-tier chipset, it handles both productivity and entertainment tasks with ease.
Benchmark Results
The battery is another highlight. The POCO X8 Pro Max features a massive 8,500mAh battery, paired with 100W fast charging.
We tested it across three scenarios:
For video playback, starting at 100% brightness and 50% volume, the battery dropped from 100% to 96% after one hour, which is a strong result.
During gaming, using Wuthering Waves at high settings and 60fps, the battery went from 96% to 85% after one hour, with the device becoming slightly warm after 30 minutes.
For music playback, the battery dropped by just 1% over an hour, as the device remained mostly idle.
Based on these results, the device consumes around 4% per hour for video playback, 11% per hour for gaming, and about 1% per hour for music.
This translates to roughly 25 hours of video streaming, 9 hours of continuous gaming, and several days of music playback.
Overall battery performance is impressive. For casual users, the device can easily last around four to five days on a single charge.
In terms of pricing, the POCO X8 Pro Max comes in two variants. The 12GB + 256GB model is priced at PHP 25,999, while the 12GB + 512GB version is priced at PHP 27,999.
Overall, the POCO X8 Pro Max stands out as a solid option in its segment, offering flagship-level performance at a midrange price. Combined with its strong battery life, it presents a compelling upgrade over the Pro version. If the budget allows, the Pro Max is the better choice.
That wraps up our experience with the POCO X8 Pro Max. What are your thoughts on this device? Let us know in the comments below.
If you want to have a better look at the POCO X8 Pro Series, you might want to check out our experiential review videos on our YouTube Channel!
ManilaShaker is a tech media producing insightful and helpful content for our local and growing international audience. Our goal is to create a premier Philippine digital consumer electronics resource that provides the most objective reviews and comparisons globally.
