I spent six months with the Poco F8 Ultra, and it delivers a mobile streaming experience ‘that simply can’t be matched by any phone of a similar price’

The Poco F8 Ultra is a mobile device that showcases what can be achieved when performance does not come at a high cost. It boasts a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a substantial 6,500mAh battery, and a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, placing it among the best phones in terms of specifications. However, what truly sets the F8 Ultra apart are its photography capabilities and its unique partnership with Bose.

The trio of rear cameras on the Poco F8 Ultra stand out, capturing exceptional images both in daylight and nighttime conditions. Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 seems to be finally living up to its AI-centric promise, offering useful photo features that enable even beginners to fine-tune their shots to perfection. The brand's collaboration with Bose further elevates the audio experience, with the phone featuring a dedicated 1620 subwoofer in the rear panel and symmetrical, dual 115F speakers.

This combination results in a balanced and pleasant sound, making it possible for many users to forego external headphones entirely, provided the circumstances permit.

While the design of the F8 Ultra may bear a striking resemblance to Apple's iPhone 17 Pro, it is far from a drawback. The phone feels superb to hold, rivaling premium competitors in style despite its large 6.9-inch display. The rounded corners, flat aluminum edges, and slim profile (7.9 or 8.3mm, depending on the variant) make the phone's size feel manageable, and it quickly becomes a joy to use in everyday situations.

The denim-like variant, though an acquired taste, quickly feels excellent to use. The only drawback is the chipset's known issue with overheating, which becomes noticeable during extended gaming sessions and may lead to performance drops. However, the phone's availability is another limitation, with it currently only available through third-party retailers like Amazon and eBay in the US, though this is still a significant advantage compared to the best Xiaomi phones. The Poco F8 Ultra is not available in Australia at the time of writing.

Priced at £749 / $729 when launched, the Poco F8 Ultra offers an exceptional value proposition. Currently available for significantly less, especially in the UK, it is likely due to the impending release of the Poco F9 Ultra. Despite being almost always on sale, the US price can vary significantly depending on the seller. The device costs nearly $200 / £200 less than would typically be expected for a phone featuring the latest chipset, triple cameras, and a large battery.

Additionally, it comes with 4 years of major Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates, a considerable advantage over many competing devices. Overall, the Poco F8 Ultra delivers an impressive value score of 5 out of 5.