POCO has launched its latest budget smartphone called it’s the POCO M8 with 5G for the Indian market. It is an upgrade of a major magnitude over its predecessor which was that of the POCO M7. The latest model comes with improved brightness on the display, faster charges, better processor and expanded software support, which is in line with the company’s goal to provide feature-rich smartphones with competitive pricing.
Launch and Availability
POCO M8 5G POCO M8 5G phone was announced on India in January 8th 2026. The sales are scheduled to start on January 13 2026, at 12:00 pm (IST). The device will be available via the Flipkart and a few other offline channels. Early buyers can take advantage of the launch offer, which includes instant bank discounts as well as introductory prices for a short time.
The phone will be available with a variety of storage and RAM configurations, and will be available in Carbon Black, Glacial Blue, and Frost Silver colour choices. Pricing tiers and variants available are as below:
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
- 8GB RAM and Storage 256GB
Price includes the initial launch discount which bring the starting price significantly lower for the initial sale time.
Design and Display
The POCO M8 5G comes with the 6.77-inch 3D AMOLED display that is curved equipped with Resolution Full HD+ with an 120Hz refresh speed that allows for smoother movement and more interaction. The display is capable of achieving as high as 3.200 nits brightness peak which is a very high standard for this class, with the intention of improving visibility under direct sunlight. The panel is compatible with DCI-P3 color gamut coverage as well as the TUV Rheinland certifications to help reduce flicker and blue light.
Physically it is 7.35mm thick it weighs just 178 grams making it a compact and light design when compared to other. It features an display fingerprint sensor and two stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos compatibility, and IP65/IP66 protection against water and dust ingress.
Performance and Hardware
Under the under the hood, the POCO 5G has Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Generation 3 chipset, which is built on the 4nm process. It promises higher effectiveness and efficiency in energy use in comparison to the previous generations of hardware. The octa core configuration is able to handle daily multitasking, gaming, and application usage with no major delays.
RAM options are available in conjunction to an LPDDR4X-based memory as well as UFS 2.2 internal storage which can be extended by microSD when in hybrid dual-SIM mode. It is also compatible with 5G connectivity across various bands as well as Dual 4G VoLTE. The phone also supports Bluetooth 5.1 as well as Wi-Fi as well as GPS capabilities that are common to modern phones.
Cameras and Imaging
The camera suite for the POCO M8 5G features the primary rear camera of 50 megapixels equipped with the Light Fusion 400 sensor and two additional 2MP depth sensors. The main camera can support four-channel video recordings as well as a variety of photo options, including HDR or portrait, as well as panorama. On the front there is there is a 20-megapixel self-portrait camera is built into the cutout of the punch-hole display to allow for better self-portraits as well as video calls.
Other camera features include a LED flash as well as autofocus on the primary sensor. The camera’s performance in imaging is designed to be able to handle daily photography tasks as well as the creation of social media content however detailed assessments of performance in real-world conditions will only be made available in future reviews.
Battery and Charging
It is the POCO M8 5G comes with the 5520mAh capacity battery that is a significant increase over its predecessor, offering ample capacity for long-term use. The charging capabilities are greatly improved by 45W of wired fast charging and the charger is in the package. It is also able to support reverse charging at 18W that allows it to serve as a power source to additional compatible gadgets. Technology for managing battery health aims at ensuring capacity is maintained over long periods of.
Software and Support
The device comes with a stock operating system. The phone has Android 15, and is layered on top of Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2. POCO has pledged to provide the four most important Android updates as well as 6 years worth of security updates that are positioned as a solid offer for long-term software durability within this price range.
Market Positioning
This launch by POCO is aiming at those who are looking for premium-quality features at an affordable price. A bright AMOLED display, a robust processor, expanded software support, upgraded camera hardware, and rapid charging puts the M8 5G in a competitive position in the sub-Rs25,000 price range.
