Poco M8 5G Review: Best Curved AMOLED Phone Under ₹16,000?

Poco has opened 2026 with its first smartphone launch, starting from the budget segment with the Poco M8 5G. The rollout begins with the M series, while the X and F series are expected to follow later. This device immediately feels familiar, closely resembling another recently launched phone—design cues make that obvious.

Design, Build, and Durability

The Poco M8 features a glossy back with a subtle matte section running through the center, creating a visually appealing contrast. The device feels light in the hand, weighing around 175.8 grams, despite housing a large 5520 mAh battery. It is available in three color options.

Durability is a notable highlight. Although the back panel is plastic and the exact glass protection isn’t specified, the phone meets MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability standards. Multiple drop tests from pocket height show the device holding up well, reinforcing confidence in its structural strength.

Ports, Buttons, and Connectivity

At the bottom sit the speaker grille, USB Type-C port, microphone, and SIM tray. The top section is busier, featuring a noise-canceling microphone, IR blaster, and an additional speaker grille, enabling stereo sound output. The right side houses the volume rocker and power button, while the left remains clean.

The SIM tray supports a hybrid slot, allowing either dual SIM usage or storage expansion via microSD card.

Connectivity options include all major 5G bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and an IR blaster. NFC is absent, but all essential sensors are present. Security is handled through an in-display fingerprint scanner and face unlock, though the fingerprint sensor sits slightly lower than ideal.

Performance and Software

Powering the Poco M8 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. Memory and storage configurations include 6GB or 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, paired with 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage.

Performance sits comfortably within its price bracket. AnTuTu scores reach around 825,000 on version 11, making everyday usage smooth and allowing gaming on medium settings. While curved displays aren’t typically favored by gamers, casual and moderate gaming runs well.

The phone ships with HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15. Although Android 16 out of the box would have been ideal, Poco promises four years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support.

Some third-party apps come preinstalled, though they can be removed. On the positive side, Google AI features such as Gemini integration and Circle to Search are fully supported.

Display and Multimedia

The Poco M8 stands out with its 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED 3D curved display. Thin bezels on all sides, including a narrow bottom chin, enhance immersion. The panel supports up to 1000 nits HBM, ensuring good outdoor visibility.

Triple TÜV certification reduces eye strain during low-light usage, making extended viewing sessions comfortable. Combined with loud stereo speakers, multimedia consumption becomes one of the phone’s strongest points.

Battery and Charging

The 5520 mAh battery easily lasts through a full day of use. With 45W fast charging, the device can be powered up in under an hour. An added bonus is 18W reverse wired charging, allowing accessories like TWS earbuds to be charged directly from the phone.

Camera Capabilities

Despite the appearance of a triple-camera setup, the rear module consists of a 50MP primary sensor (Light Fusion 400) and a 2MP secondary sensor. Daylight photography delivers pleasing results with good detail, though low-light performance remains average.

The 20MP front camera produces well-balanced selfies with accurate skin tones and decent sharpness. Fine details like hair strands are captured clearly.

For video, the rear camera supports 4K recording at 30fps, while the front camera is limited to 1080p at 30fps. Camera modes include Ultra HD, Video, Photo, Portrait, Pro mode, Document Scanner, Slow Motion, Time Lapse, and Panorama—covering all essential needs.

Additional Features

• Widevine L1 support for HD streaming
• IP65/66 dust and water resistance
• SAR values within regulatory limits
• USB 2.0 interface
• No FM radio support

The Final Conclusion

The Poco M8 positions itself strongly in the ₹15,000–₹16,000 price range. For users prioritizing a 3D curved AMOLED display, durable build, solid battery life, and long-term software support, this device offers excellent value.

Compared to the Poco M7 Pro, the M8 feels like a complete, all-around upgrade. With sales starting from the 13th and an effective price of around ₹15,999, the Poco M8 emerges as a compelling choice in the budget smartphone segment.

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