News

POCO X8 Pro Series: Price, availability in the Philippines

Early bird sale begins March 17

Published

March 17, 2026

GadgetMatch

POCO has officially launched the POCO X8 Pro Series in the Philippines, introducing the POCO X8 Pro Max, POCO X8 Pro, and the special POCO X8 Pro – Iron Man Edition.

Price and availability

The new lineup will be available through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop nationwide, with an Early Bird Sale running from March 17 to March 26, 2026.

Pricing for the series starts at PHP 15,499 for the POCO X8 Pro during the early bird promo. Meanwhile, the POCO X8 Pro Max starts at PHP 18,999, while the POCO X8 Pro – Iron Man Edition (12GB + 512GB) is also priced at PHP 18,999. Buyers during the promo period can also receive an additional PHP 500 voucher discount.

In the Philippines, the POCO X8 Pro Max will be available in White, Black, and Blue, in 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB configurations. The POCO X8 Pro comes in Black, White, and Mint Green, with 8GB + 256GB, 8GB + 512GB, and 12GB + 512GB variants.

Performance-focused X Pro series

The POCO X8 Pro Series marks the brand’s shift from the traditional X Series to the new X Pro Series, designed to deliver flagship-level performance and endurance at competitive price points.

Leading the lineup is the POCO X8 Pro Max, which globally debuts with the Dimensity 9500s flagship chipset built on a 3nm process. The chip features a 4+4 all-big-core CPU design with clock speeds up to 3.73GHz, delivering an AnTuTu score of more than 3 million.

The POCO X8 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 8500-Ultra mobile platform, offering improved GPU performance and greater power efficiency compared to its predecessor.

Both phones also support hardware-level ray tracing and POCO’s WildBoost Optimization, which helps maintain smoother frame rates and reduce power consumption during intensive gaming.

Large batteries and fast charging

Battery capacity is another highlight of the lineup.

The POCO X8 Pro Max features an 8,500mAh battery, the largest ever used in a POCO smartphone, which the company says can deliver up to two days of battery life on a single charge.

Meanwhile, the POCO X8 Pro uses a 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery designed to offer strong endurance while keeping the device relatively compact.

Both devices support 100W HyperCharge as well as 27W reverse charging, allowing users to charge other devices when needed.

Displays, cameras, and software

The POCO X8 Pro Max features a 6.83-inch display, while the POCO X8 Pro has a 6.59-inch panel. Both screens can reach up to 3,500 nits peak brightness for improved outdoor visibility.

On the camera side, both devices feature a 50MP main camera and a 20MP front camera. The Pro Max uses the Light Fusion 600 sensor, while the standard model uses a Sony IMX882 sensor.

The phones run on Xiaomi HyperOS 3, with features such as Xiaomi HyperConnect, HyperIsland, Google Gemini, and Circle to Search integrated into the system.

POCO is also continuing its collaboration with Marvel through the POCO X8 Pro – Iron Man Edition, which features a black-and-gold design inspired by Tony Stark’s armor along with a customized Iron Man-themed interface.

Related Topics:POCO X8 Pro POCO X8 Pro Max POCO X8 Pro Series

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.