It’s that time of the year again for another product refresh. This time, vivo is stepping up their flagship midgrange with the newest V25 and V25 Pro.
But in this write-up, we’re totally focusing on the base variant — vivo V25.
Color-changing Glass 2.0
Being able to hold a vivo smartphone since 2020 starting with the V20 series and this 2022 with the recurrently-stated V23 5G, I attest that vivo continues to deliver better design implementation over the table in their continuous release of smartphones almost every quarter.

vivo V20 Pro
vivo pioneered some of the world’s technology trends being used around in smartphones today — the under-display fingerprint sensor and the pop-up camera mechanism.

This year, vivo has announced not just your usual gradient-y phone, they have unveiled the first phone with a color-changing back — and that’s the vivo V23 series.

With the updated “Photochromic version 2.0” found on the back of the vivo V25, it only takes a few seconds of UV light exposure to change its color. After three (3) minutes of exposure, the vivo V25 will get back to its original Sunrise Gold colorway — just like how we perceive the golden orange and reddish hues of a beautiful sunrise.

The best thing about vivo’s material design choice is that, its AG Fluorite Glass is resistant to scratches and fingerprints. And unlike plastic, this feels a lot more premium and refined.

Flipping the other side of the card shows a rather surprising display cutout. It honestly brought me some nostalgia as I immediately remembered the vivo V11 series (or the vivo X23 in China) where the Halo FullView Display first made its debut.

While it’s not the most modern-looking smartphone up front, its actually a lot brighter (literally). With almost half the jump from the V23 5G’s display that maxes out at 628 nits, the V25’s peak brightness of 1300 nits saves this phone from humiliation compared to its modern-looking yet humiliating display panels when hit by the direct sunlight.
Game-Changing Night Mode
Before you whine about the clickbait-y headliner, I’m speaking in behalf of other Android smartphones in the same price range as the V25.
Admit it or not, smartphones nowadays can take decent daylight photos. But indoor shots look awful regardless of how prominent or scarce an artificial source of light is to the subject. What more if its totally night?

When I took the vivo V25 onto the streets where natural light is totally absent, that’s when I realized that it offers promising night mode performance for what its worth and the lower-midrange class it belongs to.
When shooting photographs at night (whether it’s the vivo V25 or pretty much any phone that’s capable of doing so), I usually consider any of the five factors below:
Before doing and experimenting on certain photo angles, be wary of your environment and always prioritize your safety. Not all cities / places are designed to be safe from the prying eyes and pesky hands of pickpockets and thieves.
1. Lines and Curves

As a fan of architecture and everything in-between, I usually love taking photos of high-rise infrastructures especially at night where most display variations of light in different levels, colors, and styles.

Paired with a sky that’s hazy, it was able to imitate a photograph that would remind you of Beijing’s night skyline more than anything else.


In a cityscape, always find the angle that showcases or emphasizes the structure’s form.



While the vivo V25 doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto camera, it’s still able to produce this shot from a distance through 2x digital zoom.
2. Symmetry
Symmetry comes in when angled or skewed shots just doesn’t suit any image you took. It doesn’t always have to look like the other half is a total copy of the other. Rather, find a center point where you can capture a better perspective of the subject — such as the middle of the road, a building’s apex, or just two same structures facing each other.

With the camera grid and level meter options turned on, it’s better to see if you’re shooting symmetrical shots right before clicking the shutter button.







3. Coalescence
In an urban jungle, there will always be a fusion of organic forms and inanimate objects. That alone would already make your night photographs evoke feelings or convey story among other viewers.










The harmonious combination of concrete slabs alongside live creatures such as the movement of trees and shrubs, various motions of humans, or just some cute animals playing on the grass are enough to say a photo is alive. With V25’s AF (Auto Focus) and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the main camera, it can shoot photos minus the motion blur — like it was a time freeze.
4. Juxtaposition
Just like in a street photography-centric article I did back in 2019, I talked about how juxtaposition (or combining two contrasting elements in a single frame) is something you can do when taking photos — but of course that’s not limited to just streets.

In the particular photo above, I took the second photo just to show that even if you’re living or working in a high-rise building, you’re not a totally free person and is still locked up in that lifestyle or working condition.

Unlike the first staged photo, this one is rather candid and timeless. I was supposed to shoot the perspective of the street when a motorcycle suddenly went from my behind. The rider then made a sharp U-turn going back to the parking lot — and don’t ask me why because I really don’t know why.

The set above is all about human growth and life. From the ground-up we loved to goof around these colorful playgrounds. But as we all grow up, we dream of having the utmost security and financial stability just like what’s in the condominiums behind.

Lastly, the rain shower suddenly poured while I was shooting the night life around. Then again, my original plan was to just take a photo of the well-lit alleyway. But my sharp eyes suddenly focused onto that lonely, bright flower that’s blooming amidst the bad weather. Probably a good way to remind one’s self that there’s still hope even under the harshest conditions.
5. Illumination
No natural light can stop the vivo V25 from taking nighttime photos — well at least if the subject is self-illuminating.

Shooting light filaments or neon signs are subjective — moreover to the phone itself and how it will process the subject in focus.






Luckily, the photos above just proved that with the right amount of distance and lens opening, you can achieve shots that are well-focused. At the same time, the bokeh will get creamier the more you focus on a certain subject.
6. (Super) Macro
You would barely hear night-time photography and Macro mode in a single sentence. Still, here I am talking about them in one. Don’t be confused though as I didn’t say I simultaneously used Night Mode and Macro Mode because that’s merely impossible — at least in the vivo V25.



To support my claim in the previous section, you can also produce a good shot if it’s well-focused. Photographs taken during this time is definitely harder since it tries to gather more light. Definitively, shots looked better since the main sensor has the widest aperture out of the bunch.
BONUS: Food
A lot of people (me included) prefer shooting food out and about — where there’s plenty of sunlight that makes your food glimmer and shadows that make it aloof from its base backdrop (such as a wooden table, picnic rug, or even a marble tabletop).

Fortunately, even if fast food stores, cafés, and restaurants have one of the least favorable source of lights for food (I mean indoor lighting is already bad as it is), #foodporn captured on the vivo V25 proved me otherwise.


With the less bright and warm indoor lights above me, the phone was still able to produce mouthwatering 치킨 (chicken or chikin) without me ever touching the photo after being shot.

If that’s not enough, here’s my trifecta from the number one fast-food joint in the Philippines.

If those made you (figuratively) full, here’s a Strawberry Lemon Cheesecake to finish it off. After all, there should always be room for desserts. And if you’re not a fan of the sweet and sour fusion, just shush.
Night Portrait Master
It would be a total miss not to mention portraits. After all, vivo is proud to say that the V25 is a #NightPortraitMaster.

One feature that stood out to me the most is the ZEISS Portrait Effects found on the vivo X80 Pro that I used for some time. That feature is super handy that I always prefer using it when shooting portraits of my friends or myself even.

While it’s not present in the vivo V25 for the most obvious reasons, I still like how it’s able to give me these portrait effects. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it adds flair to your plain old portraits.

Switching to the front camera gives us a single camera house in the phone’s teardrop notch. While I miss that extra ultra-wide selfie shooter of the V23 5G (as the V25 cannot go wider), my selfies still looked good imo nonetheless.

And according to my friend (who’s a major #SelfieExpert), he liked how the photos looked even without the Beauty Mode turned on.
You lose some, you gain more
The vivo V25 is the successor to the vivo V23 5G that was launched around the early months of 2022. Even though it hasn’t even been a year after it was replaced, the vivo V25 definitely had to cut some corners such as the removal of that extra front camera with the Dual-Tone Dual Spotlight Front Flash, as well as the chipset used.
| V25 | V23 5G | |
| Display | 6.44” FHD+ AMOLED 90Hz Halo FullView display 1300 nits peak brightness |
6.44” FHD+ AMOLED 90Hz Halo FullView display 628 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 900 | MediaTek Dimensity 920 |
| Configuration | 8/128GB 8/256GB 12/256GB |
8/128GB 12/256GB |
| Cameras | 64MP f/1.79 wide PDAF, OIS + EIS 8MP 120º f/2.2 ultra-wide 2MP f/2.4 macro 50MP f/2.0 selfie |
64MP f/1.89 wide PDAF, EIS 8MP 120º f/2.2 ultra-wide 2MP f/2.4 macro 50MP f/2.0 selfie 8MP f/2.28 ultra-wide selfie |
| Battery + Charging | 4500mAh 44W FlashCharge |
4200mAh 44W FlashCharge |
| Operating System | Android 12 FuntouchOS 12 |
|
Nevertheless, there are still more improvements like larger battery, brighter display, an extra configuration, and finally, a main camera with OIS and wider aperture.
Pricing and Availability
The vivo V25 is offered not just in the Sunrise Gold colorway (PH exclusive), there’s also a darker Diamond Black / Elegant Black variant and the India-exclusive Surfing Blue option.

In the Philippines, the vivo V25 is priced at just PhP 23,999 for a lone 8GB+256GB configuration — a major deduction from the PhP 27,999 launching price of its predecessor, the V23 5G.
- Shopee: https://bit.ly/vivo-V25Launch-
SHP - Lazada: https://bit.ly/vivo-V25Launch-
LZD - Website: https://bit.ly/vivo-V25Launch-
WEB

It’s available for online purchase starting on September 24, 2022 (Saturday) via Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and vivo’s e-store. Pre-ordering gives you freebies such as a SIM card, clock speaker, and a Bluetooth neck band — all until their supplies last.
For offline availability, you should further wait until October 1st (Saturday). You can also opt for several installment plans:
- 9, 12, 15, or up to 18 months in Home Credit
- 6, 12 or up to 24 months via credit card
This feature is a collaboration between GadgetMatch and vivo Philippines.
OPPO has officially unveiled the Find N6, its latest foldable flagship designed to push the category further with a near crease-free display, powerful hardware, and productivity features tailored for large screens.
The device introduces what OPPO calls a “Zero-Feel Crease,” a new hinge and display structure designed to minimize the visible fold line and deliver a flatter inner screen experience over time.
The foldable was introduced at OPPO’s Binhai Bay Campus in China and will become globally available starting March 20, 2026.
Design and durability upgrades
The Find N6 continues OPPO’s push for thinner and more ergonomic foldables. Despite its book-style design, the company says the device maintains a comfortable grip comparable to conventional bar-style smartphones.
It comes in two colourways: Stellar Titanium and Blossom Orange. The latter stands out with genuine gold accents integrated into the hinge casing made of titanium alloy.
Underneath its premium exterior, the Find N6 also adds stronger durability credentials. It carries IP56, IP58, and IP59 ratings for dust and water resistance, allowing it to withstand everyday splashes as well as high-temperature and high-pressure water jets.
Multitasking powered by ColorOS 16
On the software side, the Find N6 runs ColorOS 16 optimized for foldables, designed to take advantage of its larger inner display.
One of the key features is Free-Flow Window, a multitasking tool that allows up to four apps to run simultaneously. Users can freely adjust window sizes and aspect ratios, enabling flexible workflows for productivity or content creation.
The feature integrates with OPPO’s Boundless View interface, allowing users to transition smoothly between intensive multitasking layouts and a focused single-app experience.
ColorOS 16 also brings a set of AI-driven tools, including AI Mind Space, AI Recording, and AI Motion Photo Popout.
For cross-device functionality, O+ Connect enables file transfers between the Find N6 and Mac or Windows computers. The system also supports screen mirroring and remote control functions.
AI Pen turns foldable into a workstation
Complementing the large display is the OPPO AI Pen, a stylus designed to enhance productivity on the foldable device.
The stylus supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and works on both the inner and outer displays.
OPPO positions it as more than a standard stylus. The AI Pen enables features like Quick Note and Global Annotation, while also functioning as a laser pointer for presentations.
It also supports AI-powered tools such as Circle to Capture, AI Chart, and AI Image. These tools can capture on-screen content, convert rough notes into structured tables, or transform hand-drawn sketches into polished artwork.
Flagship performance and imaging
Powering the Find N6 is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform paired with a 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery.
The device supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging, designed to provide all-day endurance even with extended use of the foldable display.
For imaging, OPPO introduces its new Hasselblad Master Camera System on the Find N6.
The system is led by a 200MP Hasselblad Ultra-Clear main camera. It is joined by a 50MP ultra-wide camera capable of capturing 50 percent more light than the previous generation, and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens with tele-macro capabilities.
The phone also includes a dedicated True Color Camera sensor, first introduced with the Find X9 series, designed to improve white balance accuracy and produce more natural color reproduction.
Camera features developed with Hasselblad include Hasselblad Portrait Mode for DSLR-style bokeh, Hasselblad Master Mode with manual controls tuned to match the Hasselblad X2D camera, and XPAN mode that captures cinematic photos in a wide 65:24 aspect ratio.
The Find N6 also supports professional-grade video features. All three rear cameras can record 4K video at 60fps in Dolby Vision, while the main camera can capture 4K 120fps Dolby Vision footage. Log video support is also included for advanced color grading workflows.
Price and availability
OPPO Find N6 will be globally available starting March 20, 2026 through official OPPO stores, authorized retailers, and partner carriers worldwide.
The foldable will be available in two colourways: Stellar Titanium and Blossom Orange.
Pricing in China is as follows:
- 12GB + 256GB: ¥9,999
- 16GB + 512GB: ¥10,999
- 16GB + 1TB: ¥11,999
The OPPO AI Pen Kit will retail for ¥499.
For regional pricing and availability, OPPO advises consumers to check with their respective regional teams or official OPPO channels.
Reviews
POCO X8 Pro Max review: A new beast from the far east
That “Pro Max” naming superlative is more than justified
Just when I thought POCO was done for the first quarter of 2026, I was instantly humbled.
Two months after the M8 Pro I’ve held, POCO is back with another beast, packing an even more powerful punch.
Here’s my extensive experience with the all-new POCO X8 Pro Max.
Nothing flashy, yet still fancy
First time with the POCO X8 Pro Max, it’s honestly nothing too fancy.
While it does not dare to rival the likes of the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, Infinix’s NOTE 60 Ultra, or TECNO’s POVA Curve 2 5G, the POCO X8 Pro Max still shines in its own way.
The back is clean and minimal with only the ever-so-slightly-protruding camera bump and POCO branding in sight. Upon closer inspection though, those subtle set of lines appears when hit by faint light.
And while we’re at it, that camera bump houses an RGB light deco around the camera duo. It’s customizable with eight (8) colors alongside brightness level adjustments.
Not only does it add flair, but it’s functional too as it glows up to notify you of alerts, to indicate battery charge, to flash for a camera timer, or to light up even when just playing music or games.
The White colorway that I have adds more to that fanciness. I don’t know if it’s the same thing with the Black and Blue shades, though.
Sandwiched by that sturdy metal frame is a back cover made of fiberglass, something that is lightweight and durable at the same time.
Speaking of, the X8 Pro Max boasts quintessential quad IP ratings: IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K. It can withstand not just all the fine dust, beach sand, or even fresh water (but not sea water). It’s also able to resist hot jet water streams, just in case you’re stuck in such situations.
It’s great to see that these stronger IP ratings have become a staple, not just in flagships, but in most midrange offerings.
Marvelous and monstrous
Last year, POCO had only the vanilla X7 and X7 Pro (plus a special Iron Man Edition) in its X-rsenal. This year, POCO have changed things quite a bit by bringing in a newcomer with the familiar “Pro Max” naming.
And, they weren’t playing when they said “Pro Max” as this is equipped with the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9500s 3nm SoC. To be fair, this is a slightly under-clocked version of the Dimensity 9500 found on modern-day flagships, such as the vivo X300 Pro I rock daily.
Still, that doesn’t mean an underpowered performance.
First and foremost, the ever-popular Zenless Zone Zero by HoYoverse runs in High graphics settings by default. Genshin Impact has the same default setting.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 found on the POCO M8 Pro, however, goes only for the lowest setting.
Another favorite hardcore game of mine: Racing Master based on Nvidia’s PhysX physics engine.
As expected, this racing game can run in Ultra-High + 60fps configuration. The M8 Pro stutters and throttles a lot during the first gameplay.
This further proves that it’s not always Snapdragon that’s winning over Dimensity.
POCO’s 3D IceLoop Cooling System also prevented those unwanted hiccups. To be precise, it features a large 5800mm² liquid cooling area where the vapor and liquid are separated for an even highly-efficient heat dissipation.
With those examples in mind, it already gives you the idea that this beast of a smartphone can handle most (if not all) of the graphics-intensive titles you can think of.
POCO further proves that this is, indeed, a Pro Max smartphone. With a speedy 12GB LPDDR5X memory and up to 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage, it’s honestly an overkill for a midranger.
Most phones in the range are stuck with the LPDDR4X and UFS 3.1 combo. It’s more evident now that the global RAM (and components) shortage affects everyone — smartphone makers not exempted.
My gaming sessions would not be as easy-breezy without that buttery-smooth 120Hz display alongside that 480Hz/2560Hz touch sampling rates.
Now Playing: Even If This Love Disappears Tonight
With display already in the way, it’s high time to talk deeply about it.
One fine flight, I was bored and cannot sleep. I then just tried to watch something I added in my Netflix list — Even If This Love Disappears Tonight / 오늘 밤, 세계에서 이 사랑이 사라진다 해도 (Oneul bam, segye-eseo i sarangi sarajinda haedo).
Although I am not the type who favors cast over synopsis, Shin Si-ah being the lead honestly enticed me to click this over its gut-wrenching story.
The longer I watch it, the more I get mesmerized — both visuals and overall chemistry of her (as Seoyoon) and Choo Young-woo (as Jaewon).
With its massive 6.83-inch AMOLED 1.5K display with up to 3500 nits of peak brightness, it’s as bright and crystal clear as this beach in Pohang, South Korea.
Spoiler alert ‼️ Much like Jaewon’s disappearance in Seoyoon’s memory, the same can be said on the X8 Pro Max. Once you are already immersed, it makes you think the display bezels have also disappeared into thin air because of how thin they are.
Seoyoon’s heartfelt emotions on-screen can be seen more especially that this display supports all the imaginable pro-grade standards in a modern-day smartphone: 12-bit color depth, 68 Billion Colors, DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, HDR10+, Dolby Vision.
You have been warned, though. This film is not for the faint-hearted.
But in case you faint on the ground, Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i protects that precious display from unwanted scathes and scratches. While not as “pro” as Gorilla Glass Victus 2 or Xiaomi’s very own Dragon Crystal Glass 3, that’s still better than having no protection at all 😜
You know what’s “pro”? The inclusion of an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner.
It’s honestly a dealbreaker whenever you’re in a hurry. Being able to unlock the phone in a split-second compared to conventional optical sensors in most midrangers adds up to the “Pro Max” definition of this phone.
On Queue: IVE, H1-KEY, GIRLSET
To immerse myself more, I also tried playing IVE’s futuristic BLACKHOLE music video.
Whether it’s the darkest of blacks or the whitest of whites in Liz’s scenes, or just a pop of color like Jang Wonyoung, this vibrant display is more than enough to satisfy your eyes.
But what’s a pro-grade display without a “Pro Max” audio? Well, the POCO X8 Pro Max doesn’t want to stop just yet.
With its symmetrical stereo speakers alongside that 400% volume boost feature, it instantly filled the room when I was in my banging streaming sessions in the shivering shower.
POCO promises that those speakers are certified for Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos.
My curiosities led me to streaming H1-KEY’s full LOVECHAPTER EP in Lossless format via Apple Music.
Right off the bat, I can already hear the great separation of treble, mid, and bass in their latest comeback track, To. My First Love. Hwiseo’s adlibs truly astounded me — and so did their harmony in every chorus.
As I listen further, it made me realize it’s a great K-Pop song that brings back that good ol’ 2nd-gen K-Pop vibes. Moreover, it also fits well as an anime opening.
Not Like A Movie is also one of K-Pop’s underrated songs of 2026 that I’ve been playing ever since its release last January 2026. The whole LOVECHAPTER EP honestly deserves more praises much like this phone’s superb sound output.
Additionally, GIRLSET’s TWEAK truly made me weak with how soothing their vocals are. Mind you, I listened both in English and in Spanish (just because I suddenly miss Barcelona).
If that’s not enough, I have also tried listening to the acappella version and I felt like I’m listening to the Gods in heaven with how pure their vocals alongside their soulful harmonization.
Satisfying snapper
Let’s be real: Cameras are the mostly forgotten aspects among phones in this segment.
On paper, none of its cameras have Sony’s LYT / IMX or Samsung’s ISOCELL sensors. Instead, you’ll get a 50MP f/1.5 main rear camera based on LightHunter Fusion 600’s 1/1.95-inch sensor.
Meanwhile, its ultra-wide shooter is nothing special at 8MP f/2.2. For selfies, it’s a 20MP front snapper.
But, as we always say here, specs aren’t everything. Looking solely at the filling of the cake, the POCO X8 Pro Max can still deliver satisfying snaps.
With the right angle, framing, and even lighting, it can deliver quality shots regardless of the camera hardware it possesses.
Portraits are surprisingly decent, too.
They are social media-ready and post-worthy as well.
If you’re not a professional shooter, that shutter responsiveness is enough for those picture-perfect portraits.
Cutouts aren’t flawless, though. But, what should we even expect in a conventional camera combo like this?
- Portrait OFF
- Portrait ON
The absence of a dedicated zoom camera is evident when you try to capture anything past the 3x range.
Meanwhile, dimly-lit shots can be either a hit or miss.
In a scene where there’s the least amount of natural light, it will rely heavily on sharpening and brightening the image.
Nevertheless, food shots will still look appetizing enough, regardless of lighting condition.
Battery behemoth
Last but certainly not the least, the POCO X8 Pro Max packs a mighty tank inside — an 8500mAh Si/C battery, to be exact. This is currently POCO’s biggest battery offering in their current line of smartphones.
I would be lying though if I didn’t say I am envious that the China variant (REDMI Turbo 5 MAX) has a bigger 9000mAh capacity.
Still, for day-to-day basis, it’s hard to fully drain the phone in one sitting. If you’re chronically online, the POCO X8 Pro Max will surely handle all your social media-ddiction.
As we speak, gaming is pretty much the baseline for being able to tell how power hungry this beast is.
For instance, the moment I set up and installed all the necessary games I can think of, that 5-hour installation of three games only took up about 20% of charge from its 68% battery state — fresh from the factory.
During a mix of 2.5-hour gameplay, the battery depleted from 48% down to 31%.
Even consuming entertainment shouldn’t be much of a battery hog. Binging K-Pop music videos and live performances on YouTube plus Netflix titles for around three hours ears only a measly 10%.
Heck, even with just 1% remaining in the tank, I was still able to play H1-KEY’s latest comeback song in Apple Music for another ten minutes before the phone fully died.
Now, this is where Xiaomi’s 100W HyperCharge capability comes in.
Although the review unit I have doesn’t have one, I was still able to hook it in with an existing 100W HyperCharge adapter from my stash.
However, most users won’t even have one. Thankfully, the POCO X8 Pro Max is compatible with the PPS charging protocol which enables third-party chargers to fully-utilize that 100W charging speeds, and the results aren’t far off.
My GadgetMatch Charge Test further proves that.
Xiaomi 100W HyperCharge Adapter |
UGREEN 100W Uno GaN Charger |
|
START TIME (From 0%) |
3:18PM |
12:34AM |
3 minutes |
0% |
1% |
5 minutes |
4% |
2% |
10 minutes |
8% |
11% |
15 minutes |
17% |
15% |
20 minutes |
22% |
24% |
30 minutes |
34% |
37% |
45 minutes |
55% |
57% |
1 hour |
76% |
77% |
1 hour 15 minutes |
94% |
95% |
END TIME |
4:48PM
|
2:08AM
|
As an addition, I also made the POCO X8 Pro Max as my personal hotspot. I went out around 8AM with 100% charge left. The moment I got back home by 11 in the evening, there’s still 43% left. Most phones have already drained right after the sun has set by 6PM.
Moreover, not only it’s limited to just a dual physical SIM slot. Another slot can run eSIM, which is always my go-to option when traveling. It’s a huge relief this POCO phone supports it as the M8 Pro doesn’t have one.
Speaking of, this phone can also serve as your power bank! With its 27W reverse wired charging support, it can top-up the dead batteries of your 5000mAh phones 👀
And before I forget, Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 isn’t the most power-efficient system out there. If you happened to read my POCO M8 Pro and Xiaomi Pad 8 review write-ups, you already get the gist of this.
To be specific, as I breezed through my last battery settings, I’ve noticed that App Vault drained the second highest when your phone is in idle mode. I haven’t even set up the feature as of this writing.
This is another reason why my sentiments against the company’s OS keep getting stronger. I’m just hoping they could fix these worrisome woes that affects a lot of existing and prospective Xiaomi / REDMI / POCO users.
Is the POCO X8 Pro Max your GadgetMatch?
The arrival of the POCO X8 Pro Max blows the rest of the competition out of the water.
Although Xiaomi’s HyperOS is the elephant in the room, that was easily overshadowed by how mighty this smartphone is.
The POCO X8 Pro Max is as straightforward as it can get. From visuals, to core performance, all the way to battery endurance (and even capable cameras), I honestly cannot speak ill about it — especially for a phone in this price point.
Whether you’re just a casual user looking for a pro-grade yet inexpensive smartphone or you’re purely just a spec-savvy nerd, you’ll easily drool with how great the POCO X8 Pro Max is.
And with prices of just PhP 25,999 or PhP 27,999 / US$ 469 or 529 paired with all these powerful hardware, what more can you ask for?
They are even heavily discounted now with early bird offers ranging between PhP 18,499 ~ PhP 20,249 and US$ 429 and 459 respectively.
If it is not evident enough with my high praises, the POCO X8 Pro Max is an ultimate Swipe Right, Super Swipe, and a worthy recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.
Strip away the Stark Industries styling and the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is still what POCO does best — a capable midrange smartphone with steady performance, solid battery life, and a display that holds up well for everyday use.
The difference this time is the armor it’s wearing.
POCO’s latest collaboration wraps the familiar X-series formula in a design inspired by Iron Man’s Mark XV armor, codenamed “Sneaky.” Unlike the classic red-and-gold suit most fans recognize, this stealth-focused armor features a darker black-and-gold palette and appeared as part of the Iron Legion in Iron Man 3.
It’s a stylish twist on an otherwise familiar smartphone. The real question is whether the superhero aesthetic adds enough to make this midrange device stand out.
Design and feel: Stark-inspired aesthetics
The back design of the bare phone prominently features an image of Iron Man. The styling clearly leans into the Mark XV armor inspiration, with a black-and-gold finish that resembles the torso plating of the stealth suit.
It’s bold without being overly flashy.
Interestingly, the look changes quite a bit once you snap on the included case — which is actually my recommendation. With the case on, the design becomes a bit stealthier while also giving the phone a slightly better feel in the hand.
The overall handfeel of the smartphone reminds me a lot of the iPhone 14 Pro Max with a CASETiFY case on — just a tad less chunky. That’s a configuration I used for the past three years, so the shape and weight felt oddly familiar the moment I picked this up.
It helps that the camera module doesn’t protrude very much. With the case on, the back sits flatter than expected, making the phone feel balanced when placed on a desk.
Overall, the design is easily the most distinctive part of this device. Even if you’re not a hardcore Marvel fan, the black-and-gold styling still looks quite good.
The Iron Man theme also extends to the phone’s software. POCO applies the Stark-inspired “armor” across the system UI, most noticeably on the app icons. Naturally, not every app has a custom icon, so unsupported ones are wrapped in a circular frame that resembles the Arc Reactor on Iron Man’s chest. It’s a small touch, but it helps the theme feel more cohesive across the entire phone.
Of course, underneath all that Stark-inspired styling is still a very familiar POCO midrange smartphone.
Performance: Steady for everyday tasks
Under the hood, the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition is powered by the Dimensity 8500-Ultra processor paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
In daily use, performance is steady for most casual smartphone tasks.
I spent a lot of time doing the usual things — browsing websites, scrolling through reels, TikToks, and what-have-you. Everything felt smooth and responsive throughout.
Like with anything related to Xiaomi, you do get the usual preinstalled apps and occasional ads within the interface. It’s something longtime users of the ecosystem will already be familiar with, but it’s still worth mentioning.
Gaming performance is also respectable.
I fired up Zenless Zone Zero, and the default graphics configuration was set to Medium. That setup actually worked quite well, ensuring that the action-packed gameplay — complete with plenty of particle effects on screen — stayed smooth.
The lower resolution didn’t feel like much of a compromise either, especially on the phone’s 6.59-inch display.
For a midrange device, the overall experience is stable and dependable, which is exactly what most users in this segment are looking for.
Display and media consumption
The 6.59-inch AMOLED display delivers exactly what you would expect from a midrange device today.
It’s above average and quite serviceable. It’s not going to wow you, but you’re definitely not going to feel shortchanged either.
Colors look vibrant, brightness is more than enough for most situations, and the 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling and animations smooth.
Now Playing: Iron Man 3
To stay on theme, I decided to watch a bit of Iron Man 3 on the phone.
The display does its job well, delivering clean and crisp visuals during playback. Explosions pop nicely on screen, and darker scenes still retain decent clarity.
The stereo speakers are fine for casual viewing, but you’ll probably want to use headphones if you’re looking for a truly satisfying audio experience.
Overall, media consumption falls somewhere in the average to above-average range — which is also a pretty accurate way to describe how the movie itself was received when it first came out in 2013.
Battery and charging
Battery life is one of the stronger aspects of the POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition.
The phone packs a large 6500mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day with moderate usage.
That includes a mix of social media browsing, watching videos, messaging, and the occasional gaming session.
Charging is also impressively fast.
Going from 50% to full takes about an episode and a half of an anime — roughly around 30 to 35 minutes. It’s quick enough that topping up the phone during short breaks becomes very convenient.
For a device in this price range, the combination of a large battery and fast charging makes the phone feel reliable throughout the day.
Cameras: right where you expect them
Camera performance is exactly where you’d expect it to be for a midrange smartphone.
Photos are perfectly fine for casual social media posts, but they’re not going to compete with higher-end flagship devices.
One thing to watch out for is the difference in image output between focal lengths. Switching between the ultrawide (0.6x), 1x, and 2x zoom can produce noticeably different results in terms of color and overall look.
In fact, even using the same lens can sometimes produce varying results depending on lighting conditions.
Images tend to have a slightly warm tone with a bit of extra contrast. Lighting plays a big role in how the final photo turns out, so results can vary quite a bit from shot to shot.
Selfies show similar behavior. Taking photos with and without the beauty filter can sometimes result in different exposure levels, which feels a bit odd.
- Beauty filter ON
- Beauty filter OFF
The best way to approach this camera system is to take multiple shots of the same scene. It may sound tedious, but snapping two or three photos increases the chances of getting one that looks just right.
The easiest way to describe the overall camera experience is inconsistent. If you’re the type who takes several photos before picking the best one to post on social media, you’ll probably be fine. But if you prefer reliable point-and-shoot results, it might take a bit more patience.
A curious collaboration
Iron Man has remained one of the most iconic characters in the Marvel universe ever since his silver screen debut in 2008.
But interestingly, there hasn’t been much happening around the character since the events of Avengers: Endgame.
While Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, the lack of any current Iron Man storyline makes this collaboration feel a little unexpected.
That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad one, though.
The POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition looks good, the box and packaging are genuinely impressive, and the themed design adds a bit of personality to what is otherwise a very familiar smartphone.
For hardcore Iron Man collectors, the appeal is obvious.
For everyone else, it’s essentially a solid midrange phone dressed in superhero armor. And if it lands somewhere close to the previous Iron Man Edition’s price of around PhP 22,999 (In the Philippines), it will likely hit exactly the audience it’s meant for — fans who don’t mind spending a little extra for a collector-style device.
It may not be the most exciting smartphone in the midrange category, but it’s still a fun collaboration nonetheless.
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