The choice of a high-performance automotive testing centre and racetrack in Coimbatore for the first reveal of POCO’s performance-driven was no coincidence. The POCO X8 Pro Max (part of a duo that also includes the X8 Pro) is billed as an ‘all throttle, no brakes’ smartphone that is crafted for gamers and heavy-duty users.  

POCO’s F Series devices have traditionally played in the flagship killer zone, while the X series served as a bridge between the more economical M Series and the more premium F Series. It’s why the X8 Pro Max is a significant smartphone for POCO. It lands in a price band that’s seeing a lot of action with launches from Nothing, Samsung, OnePlus and iQOO. Does the X8 Pro Max possess enough firepower in its arsenal to make an impact? The answer is a resounding yes if raw performance is what you’re after. 

Design 

The X8 Pro Max is one of the best-looking phones we’ve seen from the POCO stable yet. The racetrack-inspired vertical pill-shaped rear camera module makes a subtle connection with the device’s promise of speed. We like the vertical lines that complement this design aesthetic. A metallic mid-frame combines with a fibreglass rear panel; it doesn’t just lend a premium vibe but also adds to the resilience of the device. I didn’t feel the 220-gm heft, suggesting that POCO has done a great job with weight management. POCO has covered most bases on the durability front with comprehensive IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings.  

The X8 Pro Max is available in Black, Blue and White that we checked out. There’s no trademark POCO yellow in the line-up, which is a bit of a surprise. We’re partial to the white colour way but the device’s unique Dynamic RGB Lights play out better on the black variant. POCO has integrated dual-ringed LEDs around the camera lenses. It’s a clever design ploy that doesn’t just add bling but also functionality similar to Nothing’s glyph interface. From charging status to gaming to call notifications to music playback, the lights augment your overall user experience. It gets even better with the Iron Man Edition where the lighting is designed to resemble an Arc Reactor.  

Display 

My first interaction with the display involved setting up a fingerprint lock; it was lighting quick. The ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor isn’t just fast, you can unlock the display even with wet hands. The 6.83 inch 1.5K AMOLED display (2772 x 1280 pixels / 447 PPI) is ready for your binge-watch sessions and high-performance gaming marathons. POCO keeps the bezels to a bare minimum, stretching the screen-to-body ratio to over 94%, adding to its immersive appeal. I watched ‘Peaky Blinders: Immortal Man’ on Netflix (the display supports HDR 10 and Dolby Vision streaming on Netflix), the X8 Pro Max impressed with its vibrant colours and stereo speakers. 

Colours are terrific and the display is buttery smooth when you scroll. Hardcore gamers will appreciate special tweaks like the device’s WildBoost optimisation features and enhanced touch response. POCO tells us that the device offers Game HDR that showcases more details in dark scenes. The display offers excellent visibility in all conditions and peaks at 3500 nits.  

Performance 

POCO’s sales pitch for the X8 Pro Max is built around performance and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s among the first smartphones to be propelled by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor. POCO offers both variants with 12GB of RAM underscoring the X8 Pro Max’s performance creds. We checked out the 12GB/512GB version (it’s also available in a 12GB/256GB option) and it impressed with its thermal management even as I pushed it through extreme gaming sessions. Multi-tasking is a breeze, the device consistently hit scores of around 8000 in our Geekbench (multi-core) benchmark tests, suggesting that its ready for almost anything you throw at it.  

The X8 Pro Max is powered by Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3.0 that sits atop Android 16. The overall user interface has improved over previous iterations, but the bloatware remains one of our pet peeves. POCO is offering four years of Android OS updates (aside from six years of security updates) which is better than some of its rivals in this segment. Battery anxiety is a thing. You’re unlikely to ever experience that with the X8 Pro Max. POCO has managed to pack a massive 9000 mAh battery without making the device too clunky. This is most likely to be a two-day battery for average users based on our tests and might even stretch to three days for moderate users. POCO has packed a 100W charger in the box that powers this device in just over an hour, adding to the X8 Pro Max’s appeal as a battery champ.  

Camera  

In a segment where it’s tough for brands to tick all boxes and most smartphones often need to take sides, POCO prioritises performance over camera. The X8 Pro Max didn’t stutter in optimal lighting conditions, especially when I used the primary lens. The rear cam combines a 50MP main sensor (with a 1/1.95” Light Fusion 600 sensor, f.1/5 aperture) and an 8MP ultra-wide cam with a f/2.2 aperture. There’s also a 20MP selfie camera. The camera offers good edge detection in Portrait mode, low light results were a mixed bag and so were results when I switched to ultra-wide lens. The X8 Pro Max camera is certainly not flagship class but manages to hold its own in most scenarios.  

Verdict 

The POCO X8 Pro Max is positioned as a smartphone to satisfy your need for speed and it does. The stellar display and ultra-fast performance are backed by a massive battery that keeps running like an Energizer bunny. It’s a great option if you’re a heavy duty user who puts a premium on performance and battery life over camera performance.  

Published on April 8, 2026