POCO X8 Pro (Redmi Turbo 5) First Look Review: A Multimedia Beast with a Few Question Marks

The POCO X8 Pro is coming to India, and it’s actually the Redmi Turbo 5 that recently launched in China. As the successor to the popular POCO X7 Pro, this phone carries forward the legacy of the X series with some impressive upgrades and a few puzzling decisions.

Before we dive deep, it’s important to note that this is a first look review based on the Chinese Redmi Turbo 5 unit. When the POCO X8 Pro officially launches in India, some specifications and features might change. For instance, the current 7560mAh battery could potentially increase to 8000mAh or more for the Indian variant.

A Max variant was also launched alongside this phone in China, but it’s unclear whether it’ll make its way to India. For now, let’s focus on what makes the POCO X8 Pro a compelling option in the competitive mid-range segment.

Unboxing: What’s in the Box?

The POCO X8 Pro comes in typical Xiaomi packaging. Here’s what you get:

Box Contents:

• POCO X8 Pro smartphone
• 100W fast charger (excellent inclusion!)
• USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable
• SIM ejector tool
• Protective case (clean design)
• Documentation

What Stands Out: The inclusion of a 100W charger in the box is becoming rare in 2025, making this a genuine value-add. Many competitors have stopped including chargers, so POCO deserves credit here.

Note: The box design will change for the Indian launch, with POCO X series branding replacing the Redmi Turbo 5 lettering.

Design & Build Quality: Clean, Understated, and Premium

Design Language

The POCO X8 Pro adopts a clean, understated design that breaks away from the aggressive gaming aesthetics POCO is known for.

Design Highlights:

• Dual-tone finish: Same color but different textures
• One side features a matte finish
• Other side has a lined texture
• Red accent on the camera module (signature POCO touch)
• Traditional, minimalist design philosophy

If you prefer subtle, mature designs over flashy gamer aesthetics, you’ll appreciate the POCO X8 Pro’s approach. It looks professional enough for office use while maintaining personality.

Build Materials: A Welcome Upgrade

Here’s where POCO made a significant improvement:

Frame Material: Metal frame (aluminum alloy)

• Previous generation (X7 Pro): Plastic frame
• Current generation (X8 Pro): Metal frame ✓

This is an excellent upgrade that significantly improves the premium feel and structural rigidity of the device.

Back Panel: Fiberglass construction

• Durable and resistant to scratches
• Good grip without being sticky
• Doesn’t attract fingerprints easily

Durability: Built Like a Tank

Protection Ratings:

• IP68 rating: Dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1.5m for 30 minutes
• IP69K rating: Protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets
• Gorilla Glass 7i: Latest generation protection for the display

The combination of IP68/IP69K rating with Gorilla Glass 7i and a metal frame makes this one of the most durable phones in its price segment. You won’t need to baby this phone.

Weight & Ergonomics

With a massive 7560mAh battery, you’d expect this phone to be a brick. Surprisingly:

Official Weight: Should be around 220g Actual Weight: 206.5g (measured)

The weight distribution is excellent. Despite the large battery, the phone feels lighter than expected and sits comfortably in average-sized hands. The in-hand feel is genuinely impressive, making it usable for extended periods without hand fatigue.

Ports & Buttons

Fingerprint Sensor: Optical in-display sensor

• Positioning: Slightly low (not ideal for everyone)
• Speed & Accuracy: Works reliably

Note: The fingerprint sensor location might feel awkward if you have larger hands or are used to higher placements.

Display: Multimedia Masterpiece

The POCO X8 Pro’s display is one of its strongest features, perfect for content consumption.

Display Specifications

• Size: 6.59 inches (ideal sweet spot)
• Resolution: 1.5K (2712 x 1220 pixels approx)
• Panel Type: 12-bit LTPS (not LTPO)
• Technology: M10 display
• Peak Brightness: 3500 nits
• Bezels: Ultra-thin and uniform
• Chin: Extremely minimal

Display Analysis

Screen Size: The 6.59-inch display hits the sweet spot – neither too large nor too small. It’s perfect for:

• Comfortable one-handed usage
• Immersive media consumption
• Gaming without excessive weight

Resolution: The 1.5K resolution offers sharp, crisp visuals with excellent clarity. Text appears razor-sharp, and images look detailed.

12-bit Color Depth: This is exceptional for color reproduction. You get:

• 68.7 billion colors (compared to 16.7 million on 8-bit displays)
• Smoother gradients
• More accurate color representation
• Better HDR content playback

Brightness: At 3500 nits peak brightness, outdoor visibility is phenomenal. You’ll have no issues using this phone under direct sunlight.

Bezels: The thin, uniform bezels with a minimal chin provide an immersive viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is impressive.

LTPS vs LTPO: The display uses LTPS (Low-Temperature PolySilicon) instead of LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide). This means:

• No dynamic refresh rate adaptation (1Hz-120Hz)
• Slightly higher battery consumption
• Fixed refresh rate options

While LTPO would have been nice, the LTPS panel is still excellent for this price range.

Multimedia Experience

For multimedia consumption, the POCO X8 Pro excels:

Strengths:

• Saturated colors that make content pop
• Bright, vibrant panel perfect for HDR content
• Large screen ideal for binge-watching
• Stereo speakers that sound surprisingly good

Verdict: If you’re a Netflix, YouTube, or content consumption enthusiast, this display won’t disappoint. The combination of excellent visuals and stereo speakers makes it a multimedia beast.

Display Score: 9/10 – Excellent for media, LTPO would’ve made it perfect

Performance: Solid Mid-Range Powerhouse

Processor & Specifications

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra

• Previous generation: Dimensity 8400 Ultra (X7 Pro)
• Improvement: Better efficiency and slightly higher performance

RAM: LPDDR5X Ultra (fastest available) Storage: UFS 4.1 (top-tier storage speeds)

Benchmark Scores

AnTuTu Score:

• Base variant (12GB-256GB): 2.1-2.2 million (tested)
• Claimed by Xiaomi: Up to 2.5 million (higher variants)

For context, this score puts it in the upper mid-range category, capable of handling most tasks with ease.

Real-World Performance

Gaming Capabilities:

• COD Mobile: Runs smoothly at 120FPS
• Heavy gaming: Handles intensive titles well
• Graphics quality: Can run on high-ultra settings

Daily Usage:

• App launches are snappy
• Multitasking is smooth
• No noticeable lag during regular use

The Heating Issue

Here’s a concern worth noting:

Observation: The phone felt warm during usage, especially with HyperOS running multiple apps and processes in the background.

Possible Reasons:

• HyperOS 3 optimization issues
• Multiple background processes
• Early software build (pre-launch unit)

What This Means: The heating isn’t alarming, but it’s noticeable. We’ll need to test the Indian retail unit to see if software optimizations improve thermal management.

Sensor Suite

Good News: All essential sensors are present

• Gyroscope ✓
• Accelerometer ✓
• Proximity sensor ✓
• Ambient light sensor ✓
• Compass ✓

No sensor omissions that plague some budget phones.

Performance Score: 8/10 – Solid performer with minor heating concerns

Software: HyperOS 3 Based on Android 16

Operating System

Software: HyperOS 3.0 (3rd generation) Based on: Android 16 (latest) Update Promise (Expected for India):

• 3-4 years of major Android updates
• Regular security patches

User Experience

This is the Chinese ROM on the Redmi Turbo 5, so the experience will differ from the Indian POCO ROM.

Observations:

• Multiple apps and processes running in the background
• More bloatware than expected (typical for Chinese variants)
• Smooth animations overall
• Feature-rich customization options

For Indian Launch: Expect cleaner software with:

• Less bloatware
• Better optimization
• Google services integration
• Localized features

We’ll provide detailed software analysis in the full review after the Indian launch.

Software Score: 7/10 (preliminary) – Wait for Indian ROM evaluation

Battery & Charging: Endurance Champion

Battery Specifications

Battery Capacity: 7560mAh (massive!) Indian Variant Speculation: Could increase to 8000mAh+

This is one of the largest batteries you’ll find in a mainstream smartphone. Here’s what it means:

Expected Battery Life:

• Heavy usage: Full day easily, possibly 1.5 days
• Moderate usage: 2 days comfortably
• Light usage: 2+ days
• Gaming: 8-10+ hours of continuous gaming
• Video playback: 15-20+ hours of continuous streaming

The combination of a large battery with the efficient Dimensity 8500 Ultra and 1.5K display means excellent screen-on time.

Charging Technology

Fast Charging: 100W HyperCharge Reverse Charging: 27W reverse wired charging PPS Support: Yes (can charge iPhones at full speed)

Charging Speed Expectations:

• 0-50%: Approximately 10-12 minutes
• 0-100%: Around 30-35 minutes (estimated)

Bonus Feature: The 27W reverse wired charging is generous. You can:

• Charge other phones quickly
• Charge your iPhone at maximum supported speed (thanks to PPS)
• Use it as a power bank replacement

Battery Score: 10/10 – Exceptional capacity with fast charging

Connectivity: Comprehensive But Not Cutting-Edge

Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• Missing: Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7
• Verdict: Good enough for most users

Bluetooth: 5.4

• Missing: Bluetooth 6.0
• Verdict: Current generation, works well

5G Support: 13 5G bands

• Excellent coverage across Indian carriers
• Future-proof for expanding 5G networks

Additional Features

NFC: Yes ✓ (for contactless payments) IR Blaster: Yes ✓ (control TVs, ACs, etc.) USB Port: USB 2.0 (Type-C)

Missing: USB 3.0/3.1 for faster data transfer speeds

Verdict on Connectivity

The connectivity options are solid and cover all essentials. While Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, and USB 3.0 would’ve been nice, their absence won’t impact most users’ daily experience.

Connectivity Score: 7.5/10 – Solid but not cutting-edge

Camera: POCO’s Persistent Weakness

Cameras have traditionally been POCO’s Achilles heel, and the X8 Pro continues this trend to some extent.

Camera Setup

Rear Cameras:

• Primary: 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor
• Ultra-Wide: 8MP
• Macro: Likely 2MP (not confirmed)

Front Camera:

• 20MP selfie shooter

Primary Camera Performance

Daylight Photography:

• Quality: Good photos with the Sony IMX882 sensor
• Detail: Decent sharpness and clarity
• Colors: Accurate representation
• Dynamic Range: Acceptable

Verdict: The primary sensor delivers satisfactory results in good lighting conditions.

Low-Light Photography

Performance: Struggles significantly

• Noise: Visible grain in low-light shots
• Detail: Loss of sharpness and clarity
• Dynamic Range: Compressed shadows and highlights
• Night Mode: Helps but doesn’t fully compensate

Verdict: Low-light photography remains a weak point.

Ultra-Wide Camera

The 8MP ultra-wide is serviceable but nothing special:

• Good for landscape shots in daylight
• Noticeable quality drop compared to primary
• Struggles more in low light

Selfie Camera

20MP front camera specifications suggest good quality, but real-world performance needs detailed testing.

Video Recording

Capabilities:

• Maximum Resolution: 4K 60FPS (primary sensor)
• Stabilization: Needs testing
• Features: Pro Video, Photo, Portrait modes

Additional Features:

• 960FPS slow-motion mode
• Hyperlapse
• Feature-rich camera app

Sample Photos

The reviewer has shared sample photos in different conditions via Google Drive link. Based on the transcript, expect:

• Good daylight performance
• Average ultra-wide shots
• Below-average low-light results

Camera Score: 6.5/10 – Decent primary sensor, weak low-light performance

Audio: Multimedia-Focused Stereo Setup

Speaker Configuration: Stereo speakers (dual)

Audio Quality:

• Speakers sound very good
• Clear vocals
• Decent bass for phone speakers
• Adequate volume levels

Perfect For:

• Watching movies and shows
• Gaming with good spatial audio
• Video calls
• Music playback

Combined with the excellent display, the stereo speakers make the POCO X8 Pro a true multimedia powerhouse.

Audio Score: 8.5/10 – Excellent for media consumption

Price & Value Proposition

Chinese Pricing (Redmi Turbo 5)

Launch Price in China: ₹19,900 (CNY equivalent) Converted to INR: Approximately ₹26,000-₹27,000

Configuration: 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage (base variant)

Expected Indian Pricing (POCO X8 Pro)

Based on typical POCO pricing strategy:

8GB + 256GB Variant: Around ₹24,999-₹25,999 12GB + 256GB Variant: Around ₹27,999-₹28,999 16GB + 512GB Variant: Around ₹29,999-₹31,999

Competition in This Price Range

The ₹25,000-₹30,000 segment is highly competitive with options like:

Direct Competitors:

• Realme GT 6T
• iQOO Z9 Pro
• OnePlus Nord 4
• Motorola Edge 50 Pro
• Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

What POCO X8 Pro Offers: ✓ Largest battery in segment (7560mAh+) ✓ 100W fast charging with charger in box ✓ Excellent 1.5K display ✓ IP68/IP69K durability ✓ Metal frame build quality ✓ Good gaming performance ✓ Strong multimedia experience

Where It Falls Short: ✗ Average camera system ✗ No LTPO display ✗ Minor heating issues ✗ USB 2.0 instead of 3.0

Who Should Buy the POCO X8 Pro?

Ideal User Profile

Buy the POCO X8 Pro if:

✅ Battery life is your top priority – The 7560mAh battery is unmatched ✅ You’re a heavy multimedia consumer – Display + speakers = perfect combo ✅ Gaming matters but cameras don’t – Solid gaming, weak photography ✅ You want durability – IP68/IP69K with Gorilla Glass 7i ✅ Fast charging is important – 100W charging with included charger ✅ You need all-day heavy usage – This phone won’t die on you

Skip the POCO X8 Pro if:

❌ Camera quality is crucial – Look at Vivo, Realme, or Samsung instead ❌ You want premium software experience – HyperOS has bloatware ❌ Heating concerns you – Wait for retail unit reviews ❌ You need USB 3.0 – For fast file transfers ❌ Wireless charging is a must – Not available

POCO X8 Pro vs POCO X7 Pro: What’s New?

Upgrades:

• Metal frame (vs plastic on X7 Pro) ✓
• Dimensity 8500 Ultra (vs 8400 Ultra) ✓
• Larger battery: 7560mAh (vs 5500mAh) ✓
• Better display: 1.5K 12-bit panel ✓
• Improved durability: IP68/IP69K rating ✓
• Gorilla Glass 7i (vs Gorilla Glass 5) ✓

Downsides:

• LTPS display (X7 Pro had AMOLED, need confirmation)
• Camera system similar or slightly worse

Final Verdict: A Multimedia Beast Worth Considering

The Bottom Line

The POCO X8 Pro (Redmi Turbo 5) is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that excels in specific areas while making some compromises.

Standout Features:

1. Exceptional battery life (7560mAh)
2. Excellent multimedia experience (display + speakers)
3. Strong build quality (metal frame, IP68/IP69K)
4. Good gaming performance
5. 100W fast charging with charger included

Notable Compromises:

1. Average camera system (especially low-light)
2. Minor heating issues (software optimization needed)
3. No LTPO display (fixed refresh rate)
4. Basic USB 2.0

Our Recommendation

Rating: 8/10

If performance, display, multimedia, and battery are your priorities, the POCO X8 Pro is worth the wait for the Indian launch.

However, if you’re a photography enthusiast or want the absolute best all-round package, consider alternatives like the Realme GT 6T or iQOO Z9 Pro.

Wait for: The official Indian launch to see final pricing, software optimization, and any specification changes (especially battery capacity).

Summary: A Solid Mid-Ranger with Clear Strengths

The POCO X8 Pro (Redmi Turbo 5) continues the X series legacy with excellent multimedia capabilities, outstanding battery life, and solid build quality. While cameras remain a weak point, the phone offers tremendous value for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and endurance.

Our advice: Wait for the official Indian launch and final reviews before making your purchase decision.