Poco F8 Ultra Review: A Well-Balanced Flagship with Excellent Camera Performance

Poco has delivered a well-rounded flagship experience with the F8 Ultra, balancing premium features with thoughtful compromises at an aggressive price point. This device stands out in the crowded $500–$800 global market, where brands like OnePlus, Vivo, and Oppo dominate, by focusing on areas that matter most to users, particularly photography enthusiasts.

The phone adopts a practical design with a plastic back to control costs, though the aluminum frame and IP68 rating maintain a solid build feel. Its camera module resembles the iPhone 17 Pro Max in appearance but precedes it, having been introduced earlier with the Poco F6 Pro. The standout feature is its display, a 6.9-inch AMOLED panel shared with the pricier Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, offering 120Hz refresh rates, HDR10+/Dolby Vision support, and impressive brightness levels, paired with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for enhanced security.

Performance is handled by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, coupled with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, delivering swift responsiveness for everyday tasks and gaming. Cooling is managed by a large vapor chamber, keeping temperatures under control during extended use. Battery life impresses with a 6500mAh cell providing consistent 9–10 hours of screen-on time, supported by 100W wired charging that can fully replenish the device in roughly 35–40 minutes, along with 50W wireless charging options.

Where the Poco F8 Ultra truly excels is in its camera system. The 50MP main camera and 50MP periscope lens produce vibrant, dynamic images across various lighting conditions, with notable improvements in contrast and dynamic range. The periscope lens, a rarity in this price bracket, captures detailed 5x zoomed photos and excellent portraits with natural skin tones and precise bokeh. While the ultrawide camera remains a weaker link, the primary and telephoto setups more than compensate, delivering results that surpass many flagship competitors.

Audio benefits from a collaboration with Bose, featuring stereo speakers with an additional unit near the camera module for a richer, more immersive sound. Despite minor software refinements needed for video stabilization at 4K 60fps, the overall package positions the Poco F8 Ultra as a strong contender, particularly for users prioritizing camera quality and value without breaking the bank.