If you’ve been hunting for a 5G phone that doesn’t blow up your budget but still feels premium in the hand, the Poco M8 5G is exactly the kind of device that’ll catch your eye. It brings a large AMOLED display, a big battery, a capable Snapdragon chipset and long-term software support into the highly competitive sub-₹25,000 segment.

Poco M8 5G: Positioning in the Indian Market

Poco has launched the Poco M8 5G in India with a clear goal: offer strong 5G performance, a premium screen and a feature-rich experience at a mid-range price. The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor and sits in the same price zone as devices like the OnePlus Nord CE 5 series and Realme P3 Pro, which means competition is fierce and expectations are high.

Interestingly, the Poco M8 5G is essentially a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 15 5G, but with a slightly more aggressive price tag to appeal to value-focused buyers who want specs that punch above the sticker price.

Price and Variants: How Much Does the Poco M8 5G Cost?

Poco has aimed for a simple yet flexible pricing ladder so you can pick the RAM and storage combo that suits your use case:

• ₹18,999 – 6GB RAM + 128GB storage

• ₹19,999 – 8GB RAM + 128GB storage

• ₹21,999 – 8GB RAM + 256GB storage

On top of that, the brand is stacking multiple launch offers to sweeten the deal. Buyers can get an instant ₹2,000 discount with select ICICI Bank cards or opt for a ₹2,000 exchange bonus when trading in an old device. There’s also an additional ₹1,000 discount during the first 12 hours of the sale window, which effectively brings the starting price down even further for early buyers.

If you time your purchase right, you’re basically getting a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 + AMOLED combo at a price that usually belongs to lower mid-range LCD phones.

Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED That’s Built to Shine

The star of the show is the 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. If you love watching content, gaming, or just scrolling social media with punchy colours and deep blacks, this panel is going to feel like a serious upgrade over typical LCD screens in the segment.

Key display highlights include:

• Resolution: 2392 x 1080 pixels (Full HD+)

• Refresh rate: Adaptive up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations

• Peak brightness: Up to 3,200 nits, which is extremely bright on paper and should help with outdoor visibility in harsh sunlight

• PWM dimming: 3840Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain, especially at low brightness

• Eye protection: Triple TÜV Rheinland eye protection certifications, aimed at minimizing blue light and flicker

In simple terms, this screen is built for binge-watchers and gamers alike, while trying to keep your eyes as comfortable as possible during long usage sessions.

Performance: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Under the Hood

At the heart of the Poco M8 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset paired with an Adreno GPU. This combo is designed to handle day-to-day tasks like social media, browsing, and messaging with ease, while also stepping up reasonably well for gaming and heavier multitasking.

Poco is using LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, which are reliable, proven standards in this price segment. You won’t get flagship-level speeds, but you’re definitely getting snappy app launches and solid multitasking if you pick the 8GB RAM variants.

If you’re someone who switches between multiple apps, plays casual to moderate games, and expects the phone to stay responsive over the next few years, this hardware setup is well aligned with that use case.

Software: HyperOS 2 With Long-Term Update Promise

On the software front, the Poco M8 5G ships with HyperOS 2, Poco/Xiaomi latest software skin based on Android. This interface brings a refreshed design, improved performance optimizations, and a host of customisation options compared to older MIUI iterations.

The standout part, though, is the update commitment:

• 4 years of Android updates

• 6 years of security updates

For a phone at this price, that’s a big promise. It means you’re not just buying a device for the present; you’re investing in something that will keep getting new features, security patches, and OS upgrades for a good stretch of time. For users who don’t upgrade every year, that’s a major plus.

Camera: 50MP Dual Rear Camera and 20MP Selfie Shooter

The Poco M8 5G may not overload you with camera lenses, but it focuses on a clean, usable setup:

Rear cameras:

• 50MP Light Fusion 400 primary sensor – designed to capture sharp, detailed images with better light handling.

• 2MP secondary lens – typically used for depth or macro, adding some flexibility for portrait shots or close-ups.

Camera features include 4K video recording and slow-motion support, giving content creators more tools to play with if they like shooting clips for social media or personal use.

On the front, there’s a 20MP selfie camera, which should comfortably handle selfies, video calls, and social content. For everyday users, this is a practical and straightforward setup instead of a crowded camera array that adds numbers but not necessarily value.

Battery and Charging: 5,520mAh With 45W Fast Charging

Powering everything is a 5,520mAh battery, which is slightly larger than the usual 5,000mAh pack found in many mid-range phones. Paired with an efficient Snapdragon chip and AMOLED display, this battery is designed to comfortably last through a full day of mixed use, and often more for light to moderate users.

Charging isn’t just fast on paper:

• 45W wired fast charging – and the best part, the charger is included in the box.

• 18W reverse charging – so you can even use your phone like a power bank to top up smaller devices or accessories in a pinch.

If you’re someone who hates babysitting the battery percentage, this combo gives you both peace of mind and flexibility.

Design, Build and In-Hand Feel

On the design front, Poco has kept things slim and relatively lightweight considering the battery size. The phone:

• Measures just 7.35mm in thickness

• Weighs about 178g

That means you’re getting a large-screen device that shouldn’t feel like a brick in your hand or pocket. The weight and thickness balance is important for users who spend a lot of time holding their phones for reading, watching, or gaming.

Extra Features: Audio, Security and Durability

Beyond the core specs, the Poco M8 5G includes a handful of features that genuinely improve day-to-day experience:

• In-display fingerprint sensor – for quick and convenient unlocking while keeping the back panel clean.
• Dual stereo speakers – with a claimed 300% volume boost, targeting users who watch a lot of content or game without earphones.
• IP65/IP66 dust and water resistance – offering protection from dust and low-pressure water jets.

These extras might not always make it to the spec sheet highlights, but they matter a lot in real-world use.

How Poco M8 5G Fits in the Sub-₹25K Segment

In the under-₹25,000 price band, buyers typically have to compromise on one of three things: display quality, long-term software support, or charging speed. The Poco M8 5G tries to check as many boxes as possible:

• AMOLED display with high brightness and 120Hz refresh rate

• A modern Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor

• Big 5,520mAh battery with 45W fast charging

• A clean dual-camera setup with 50MP primary sensor

• Long software support promise (4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches)

Conclusion

The Poco M8 5G comes across as a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that focuses on the things most users actually care about: a bright and smooth AMOLED display, a reliable Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, a big battery with fast charging, and long-term software support.

At the end of the day, choosing a phone is a bit like choosing a daily companion—you want something dependable, comfortable, and capable of keeping up with your pace. The Poco M8 5G isn’t trying to be the flashiest flagship in the room, but it quietly offers a mix of performance, longevity, and quality-of-life features that will matter long after the unboxing hype fades. If that’s the kind of partner you’re looking for, this one deserves a serious look.