POCO has announced the new X8 Pro Series in Malaysia with three models in the new lineup, namely the POCO X8 Pro Max, POCO X8 Pro and a special POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition. Despite positioned as a mid-range lineup, the addition of the new Pro Max variant (wink wink, Apple) has kicked its hardware capabilities up a notch by packing one of the fastest chipsets on the market today.
POCO X8 Pro Series
On the upper end of the lineup, the POCO X8 Pro Max is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s chipset, paired with 12GB LPDDR5X-9600 memory and an option of 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.1 storage, whereas the POCO X8 Pro opted for a more modest upgrade with MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset over its direct predecessor’s Dimensity 8400 Ultra, whilst paired with 8GB of RAM (the Iron Man Edition gets 12GB, meanwhile). On the software level, the smartphones features “WildBoost” that enables features like frame generation (plus frame pacing), resolution upscaling, improved touch response and game HDR mode.
Battery capacity differs between the two devices as well, with the X8 Pro Max equipped with a massive 8,500mAh battery – the biggest in POCO’s history – whereas the X8 Pro featuring a 6,500mAh battery instead. Both support 100W wired charging for topping up their respective cells, along with 27W reverse wired charging to top up other devices, though in its footnote POCO mentions that X8 Pro’s 27W reverse charging towards iPhone 17 devices will have to wait for an upcoming firmware update landing sometime this month.
On the display side, the Pro Max model comes with a 6.83-inch AMOLED “M10” display, while the Pro is slightly smaller at 6.59-inch. Both feature the same peak brightness of up to 3,500 nits and 3840Hz PWM dimming support, and on the Pro Max model you’ll find an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for biometrics. The phones are also equipped with dual 1115F symmetrical speakers with Dolby Atmos with 400% volume boost mode.
For imaging, both devices include a 50MP main camera and a 20MP front camera, though the hardware differs – the Pro Max features Light Fusion 600 sensor, whereas the Pro features Sony IMX882 instead; they’re both paired with a secondary 8MP ultrawide shooter. Oh, there’s also RGB lighting around the cameras, too, if you’re into that. The devices also support offline communication for voice calls without network coverage, while the Pro Max includes eSIM support.
Intriguingly, POCO also advertises a new “Ticket Purchase Mode” for concert-goers, which is available across the lineup via an update scheduled this May. The idea is that it “improves touch response and screen performance, and optimizes the phone’s processing power to give you a smoother, faster experience when trying to get tickets.” Again, lots of caveats in the footnotes, including: requires Mi Calendar version G-17.1.5 or above, plus Xiaomi HyperAI Engine version 3.18.0 or above, and only apps like EVENTI, BookMyShow and Ticketmaster are supported.
It further stresses that this feature “only provides device-level reminders and technical optimizations during the ticket-buying process,” and it doesn’t do things like “inventory checks, reservations, or order handling.” So, to sum it up, POCO basically brought its gaming know-how into the highly-competitive ticket-buying process, which is fair enough. Still, you’re at the mercy of your internet connection, and did we forget to mention you’re probably fighting against scalpers, too?
And then there’s the special collaboration with Marvel in the form of POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition, which features a special design on the back, plus a custom black-gold UI to go along with it. The smartphone also comes with a special MK5-inspired packaging that includes a similarly-themed phone case, a red USB charging cable, along with a Marvel-branded SIM ejector pin and a “schematic” card of the Iron Man.
The POCO X8 Pro Series is now available in Malaysia, with the POCO X8 Pro priced at RM1,499 and RM1,699 for the 256GB and 512GB variant respectively, while the POCO X8 Pro Max costs RM1,999 for the 256GB variant, and RM2,199 for the 512GB variant. Finally, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is priced at RM1,899, with only the 12GB+512GB configuration offered.
Pokdepinion: A for effort for coming up with the Ticket Purchase Mode idea.
