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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider Review: The POCO M8 Pro 5G: Near flagship experience at the mid-range level

Review: The POCO M8 Pro 5G: Near flagship experience at the mid-range level

An affordable entertainment phone

Published Feb 17, 2026 08:33 pm
As someone who consumes films and series as often as I can (my to-watch list is always growing), it's good to know that there is an affordable phone that can keep up with my streaming and binging. I have noticed that people who ride public transport (buses or trains) often use their commute time to catch up on the latest episode of their series addiction.
Touted as an affordable entertainment phone, the POCO M8 delivers on this promise as a content consumption companion with a 6.83" CrystalRes 1.5K AMOLED display and 3200 nits ultra-bright eye care display, which is good news to us with poor eyesight.
When it comes to sound, the Dolby Atmos dual speakers at 300% volume boost the viewing experience without the need to connect to separate Bluetooth speakers, which, if you have been following my reviews, you know is an important factor for me.
The wide, flat shape feels great in the hand, with dimensions of Height: 164 mm, Width: 75.42 mm, Thickness: 7.35 mm, and Weight: 178g. So it doesn’t feel too heavy, even when you’re carrying it throughout the day. I got to try the green variant, which looks young and fresh. The back also features a multi-finish, adding to its distinctive look.
Despite its limited camera capabilities (the zoom isn’t that great), it can still capture vibrant photos, especially in good light, thanks to its 50 MP rear camera. You can check out photos taken with the POCO M8 Pro 5G here.
Photo with the selfie camera at 20MP.
Photo with the selfie camera at 20MP.
Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang Bei Lu, Chao Yang Qu, Beijing, China.
Gong Ren Ti Yu Chang Bei Lu, Chao Yang Qu, Beijing, China.
Hotel Casiana, Tagaytay City.
Hotel Casiana, Tagaytay City.
The hotel lobby of Legendale, Beijing, China.
The hotel lobby of Legendale, Beijing, China.
Currently priced at 12,999.00 on Shopee (with vouchers), the POCO M8 Pro 5G is an affordable mid-range option for those looking for a good screen companion. I even brought it on my recent trip and caught up on some anime shows while on the plane (I had already downloaded the episodes when I had WiFi access).
In-flight watching with the POCO M8 Pro 5G.
In-flight watching with the POCO M8 Pro 5G.
Operating on the Xiaomi HyperOS 2 with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform processor, which offers a decent punch for mid-range phones. The POCO M8 Pro 5G has a 5520mAh battery with 45W turbo charging and supports 18W reverse charging.
With RAM prices on the rise, phone prices are expected to go up as well. It would be wise to note which phones are affordable now, rather than wait until the price increases trickle down to mobile phones this year. If the POCO M8 Pro 5G meets your needs, you might consider adding it to your cart now rather than later.
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