The Poco F8 Pro is the best affordable flagship phone I’ve used in recent memory — for many reasons

The Poco F8 Pro stands out as one of the finest affordable flagship smartphones I've tested in recent times, offering numerous compelling reasons for its acclaim. Like a true flagship, this device packs a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset alongside 12GB of RAM and a choice between 256GB or 512GB of storage. Though it doesn't feature the second-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the difference in performance is hardly noticeable.

The Poco F8 Pro effortlessly handles day-to-day tasks, while its Bose-tuned stereo speakers deliver audio quality comparable to its pricier counterpart.

One of the standout features of the Poco F8 Pro is its 6.59-inch 120Hz OLED display. This size strikes a perfect balance between the convenience of smaller phones and the immersive experience of larger displays. With a 3,200 nits peak brightness and exceptional color reproduction, the display is a joy to use. The device also boasts a 6,210mAh battery that can easily last multiple days, coupled with fast 100W charging – one of the quickest charging speeds available on any phone.

However, there are a few compromises to note, such as the absence of wireless charging, occasional slowdowns during heavy gaming, sluggish USB speeds, and some bloatware in apps. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Poco F8 Pro remains the most cost-effective option in its price range.

Priced at £449 in the UK, the Poco F8 Pro offers an exceptional value for money, even more so considering its discount to £399 for the 256GB model. In comparison to devices like the Google Pixel 10a, Nothing Phone (4a), and Samsung Galaxy A57, the F8 Pro offers fewer compromises while sitting in a more affordable price bracket. Available in three colors - Black, Blue, and Titanium Silver, the device doesn't feature the denim-leather finish of its high-end sibling, the Poco F8 Ultra.

However, the Titanium Silver unit comes with a nice silicone case in the box. With a design score of 4.5/5 and an overall value score of 5/5, the Poco F8 Pro undoubtedly earns its reputation as the best affordable flagship phone I've used in recent memory.