When the POCO F8 Pro came out, I expected its price to be a little higher than what was announced. It’s just how it is nowadays with smartphone pricing due to AI, storage, and more.

Nevertheless, it definitely exceeded my expectations and was one of the best real premium mid-rangers of its time. Now, POCO is back with its latest smartphone offerings, simply elevating the package the F series is known for.

While Rodneil likens the POCO F9 Ultra to an underrated star K-Pop performer, I stick by my own analogy that the POCO F9 Pro variant is a lighter weight class boxer who packs definitive power.

Smooth all-around performance

Mainly marketed for unparalleled gaming performance, the POCO F9 Pro brings incremental improvements in various departments.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile chipset, there is no doubt the device performs lightning quick by midrange standards.

Like its predecessor, it’s an overkill for casual usage — consistently smooth and without any hiccups.

I have only been able to use this device for my usual day-to-day workload, which includes vlogging, correspondence, occasional gaming, and content consumption.

For gaming, content creation, more

From filming several clips for my food vlogs, putting all of them on an editing software, and generating reels for social media publishing, I’ve had seamless sessions with the F9 Pro.

Just having a powerful tool to execute such a workflow from start to finish feels a lot less stressful.

It matters a lot during video playback and when I have to run through a polished draft one final time before rendering.

It’s not jittery unlike other midrange devices which tend to lag or freeze on the playback part. Precision trims and cuts are likewise a breeze.

In the two weeks I’ve had this device, I haven’t tested it yet for livestreams, but I see no reason for it not to deliver on that end.

And for gaming, it’s much like my experience with the F8 Pro across various titles: steady and worry-free.

Visuals are clear and crisp with the phone’s 6.59-inch 185Hz AMOLED HyperRGB (2,510 x 1,156) display.

POCO also pairs the flagship-level processor with a dedicated VisionBoost D8 chipset to enable AI super resolution and smart frame rate at the same time.

This way, you don’t have to choose just one between high resolution or a high frame rate. But of course this depends on what the game’s settings allow.

But for Call of Duty: Mobile, I personally prefer a smoother frame rate as the visuals look detailed already to begin with. WildBoost Engine then enables efficient performance throughout your sessions.

Battery improvements

The POCO F9 Pro comes with just a slight upgrade to its battery capacity — from 6,210mAh to 6,330mAh. But I do feel it’s been more efficient in distributing power and consuming it.

A welcome addition is its wireless charging capability.

However, you’ll need a magnetic case to ensure your power bank of choice sticks good on its back.

The battery supports 100W HyperCharge for a quick replenishment should it finally be drained after a long day. But otherwise, you should be able to use this outdoors from dawn ’til dusk.

Sound by Bose

POCO continues its partnership with audio brand Bose as well, bringing high-quality 2.1 channel audio to the device.

The quality is, again, more refined, as if coming out of budget earphones. You can shoot up the volume and still expect well-rounded sound instead of crackling or distorted.

There are two preset audio profiles: Dynamic and Balanced.

Aside from that, you can customize the audio depending on your preference, whether you like the more immersive, 360-degree sound blasting from the speakers or a more balanced, treble and voice-focused mix.

Cameras: A bit more consistent across ranges

In the camera department, the POCO F9 Pro introduces a 200MP ultra-clear camera system equipped with OIS.

Here are its hardware:

• 200MP f/1.68 OIS main camera, OIS
• 50MP f/2.0 floating telephoto camera, OIS
• 8MP f/2.25 ultra-wide camera
• 32MP front camera

Generally, shots are more color accurate and natural, compared to the F8 Pro. That’s the system’s most distinct improvement.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

If you’re indoors with warm ambient light, you’d get the shots you’d expect from such a setting. Same when outdoors if the weather is overcast and cool or it’s hot and sunny.

As with Xiaomi’s mobile photography blueprint, users can switch from 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm focal lengths at “1x” zoom.

The telephoto shooter then takes over with shoots from 2.5x zoom and beyond, and helps with lossless shots at up to around 5x. It also doubles as a macro shooter for close-ups.

Meanwhile, Portrait Mode also introduces a 3.1x zoom focal length, which gives you another option for framing subjects.

Still, the blurring can be hit or miss. But you can definitely pull off some smooth bokeh and make subjects pop out more with depth. But sometimes, as with the F8 Pro, there are segmentation issues and the blurring sometimes isn’t enough.

When filming, Pro mode ensures the exposure and focus stay steady even with tracking shots. It’s not perfect and you’ll still experience some inconsistencies, but it the package is pretty darn good for everyday vlogs.

Here’s a quick sample:

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Premium look and feel

The F9 series also carries over the premium look and feel for the devices. The main difference is that the entire camera module is now protruded, occupying the upper third of the back panel. That’s instead of just the individual shooters popping out.

The “Sound by Bose” branding is also a little larger now with a faux speaker design beside the cameras.

Everything else is simple and clean, reflecting the premium branding. The back remains just a little slippery, but thankfully, there is a clear case, which also lets me do this:

My only issue again is the curved corners which crop out some UI elements, text, or visuals when gaming and in other scenarios.

Having used the F8 Pro for almost a year now, I’ve quickly adjusted to the user interface and its unique elements compared to other brands.

Although if you are switching from another smartphone brand, there’s going to be a bit of a learning process to get used to them.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

The POCO F9 Pro is once again a Swipe Right. Its overall package puts other competitor devices in the segment to shame, whether you’re planning on using it as a gaming-first device or an overall ample performance daily carry.

You are also promised high-level performance for whatever scenario for years to come, making it a smart investment.

Despite working in this industry, I’m not an early adopter eager to jump on the latest advancements in technology. I prefer waiting for later refinements to ensure all the kinks have been ironed out. That’s why I’ve never used a foldable. Until now, that is.

In the winter of 2019, Samsung announced the Galaxy Fold, a device that would eventually lead to one of the brand’s biggest segments. It’s a day that I distinctly remember. I was in New York on my way to a class for my master’s program when the news broke. It was a very wintery day, but I still rushed to my campus to cover the news. It felt like being on the ground floor of next big thing.

But every ground floor has its flaws: the floor is too dusty, the foundations are too weak, the price of admission is too high. Or, in foldable terms: the crease is too visible, dust gets inside too easily, the price of a foldable is too high. Despite its promise, a foldable in 2019 didn’t seem worth it.

Now, six years after the fact, the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra finally lands on the palm of my hands, ready to convince me to enter foldable culture. Was it successful? How does it feel to get your first foldable in 2026?

In the palm of your hands

A foldable is naturally a gigantic phone, especially when unfolded. With phones getting bigger and bigger today, a substantial concern is whether a foldable phone is just way too big for my smaller hands.

More than the phone’s performance or design, the Fold8 Ultra’s size is the most surprising thing about it. When folded, the phone measures only 72.8mm in width. It has less width than other phones today. Even for my smaller hands, I can maintain a solid grip. Plus, I don’t feel like I need to cradle the phone with my pinky finger from underneath.

Despite essentially being two screens bundled into one package, the Fold8 Ultra isn’t significantly heavier than other phones. In fact, it’s three grams lighter than my previous daily driver, the Nothing Phone (3) — 215 grams vs. 218 grams. The weight distribution is also better when unfolded, making it feel relatively lighter in practical use.

Oh, and though this is a small tidbit, I have to applaud the Fold8 Ultra for having only two button elements: the volume rocker and the power button. There’s no extemporaneous AI button. It’s just those two. Plus, the volume rocker is a bit more elevated than the power button, making it so easy to fiddle around with one-handed and without checking which button your finger is on.

If you’re worried about having a device that’s way too big for practical use, don’t be. The Fold8 Ultra is light enough so you can put it side by side without feeling out of place.

More than one way to use it

Though this is my first foldable phone, it’s not my first rodeo with a device that can transform from one form factor to another. If you’ve met the Lenovo Yoga series, then you’re familiar with the concept, too.

There’s a significant difference, though. For me, it’s difficult to justify a flexible laptop. Whenever I use a laptop, it’s always exclusively as a laptop. If I need a tablet, I’ll just get a tablet. A laptop is too cumbrous to constantly fiddle around with.

On the other hand, the Fold8 Ultra is just perfect for multiple uses. As I said above, it’s already perfectly balanced as a smartphone. It also works perfectly unfolded when I need a larger screen to watch videos. Now, those are the two main uses for a foldable, but there are more.

For example, you can partially unfold it into a book, which makes it easier to hold and to read, especially if you’re a reader. Plus, because it’s a larger 8.0-inch screen, the font and the content itself is bigger. So, if you want to save your eyes, holding it in “book mode” makes so much sense.

Staying with partially folded formats, the Fold8 Ultra also has a Flex mode. Imagine laying your phone down on a surface while folded like a laptop. The mode divides the main screen into two chunks. Some apps use this mode to perfection. For example, YouTube transforms the bottom half into easily maneuverable video controls. To me, this mode is perfect while I’m eating and want a screen automatically propped up to watch videos.

Personally, each mode is useful. With a laptop, I find myself forgetting about certain modes entirely. But with the Fold8 Ultra, I’ve been using each mode equally.

Is the crease gone?

The foldable crease is, by far, the most common pain point for those who are too hesitant to try a foldable. In early iterations, dust can too easily get inside the crease. Plus, after enough times unfolding, the crease created a visible line straight down the middle. Has that changed today?

Well, for one, the openings that formerly gave access to dirt and dust are now covered by the phone’s chassis. There’s no risk of dust entering your screen.

Now, to be honest, there’s still some faint traces of a crease. But it’s clearly less problematic as it was years ago. You’ll barely notice it with regular use. Samsung has also improved its screens, making the crease much less noticeable with better brightness.

While we’re here, let’s also talk about the screen’s durability.

The secondary screen is coated with Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3. It’s a hardy surface but still prone to scratches. After some use, the screen ended up with tiny slivers visible when you look closely. But honestly, it just doesn’t matter. The display is good enough to mask tiny wear-and-tear scratches.

The main screen, on the other hand, has a Mohs hardness of 1. The screen itself doesn’t feel too susceptible to damage. The protective film, which you’re not supposed to remove, is a different story, though. Because it’s just a film, you can easily dent it with enough pressure. And that’s what happened to my screen. Like the scratches on the secondary screen, the dent is barely visible, but it’s certainly something to take note of when using the phone unfolded.

Powerful in its own right

As the most expensive phone in Samsung’s lineup, the Fold8 Ultra packs in the most powerful hardware that you can get from a smartphone today. It has the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.

With hardware as top-notch as this, it feels unnecessary to explore what the processor can do with pure numbers. It can basically do everything. My trusty Zenless Zone Zero was no match for the Fold8 Ultra, even if I use the full unfolded screen. If anything, the unfolded version just makes it so much more immersive.

Everything else is just child’s play. The Fold8 Ultra can handle multitasking well. Granted, I’m not a fan of keeping multiple windows up in a single smartphone screen, but if you’re inclined to set up a temporary workstation right on your phone, Samsung’s top foldable is perfect for it.

In terms of heat, the hottest spot is right beside the rear cameras. If you don’t have a case, you might run into issues of discomfort with prolonged heavy use.

Big cameras mean better quality

The Fold8 Ultra’s rear cameras are remarkably huge. In terms of depth, it’s almost as thick as the phone itself. If you don’t have a case, the phone wobbles back and forth when laid flat on a surface. It’s very distracting.

Because of how powerful they are, I can almost forgive the cameras for being too big. The three cameras consist of a 200-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens.

When it comes to color, the camera’s photos don’t stray too far from reality. There are some intensity changes in contrast, as is wont with modern cameras. It’s not too artificial, though. I found myself liking this camera more than others.

 

In an unfolded state, the camera can capture more, which I prefer, but it does seem too much like holding up an iPad to record a concert.

How does the battery last as long as it does?

For a device with two screens, the Fold8 Ultra is surprisingly economical with its battery usage. I expected a battery that would drain before I could get home. Instead, I got one that treats battery tests like a stroll in the park.

On a typical day, the phone eats up only 25 percent of the battery after eight hours or a full day’s work. A bit of a caveat, though: This was done exclusively in folded mode, which is how I prefer using the phone at work.

Of course, using it unfolded will deplete more battery. A single hour running YouTube while unfolded eats up 5 percent of the battery. But let’s go further. As I said, I preferred playing Zenless Zone Zero in unfolded mode to unlock more screen real estate. Though doing so made the game feel more immersive, it came at the expense of battery life. Playing for two hours straight depleted 20 percent of the battery.

Another thing I adore about the Fold8 Ultra is its charging. It’s a standard USB-C port, but the phone gets over half to two-thirds of the battery in only 30 minutes. Even more impressively, I found that the battery can reclaim 5 percent of juice from just a short five-minute drive using a small car charger. Though my car charger is fully capable of charging a phone all the way, this is the first time I’ve ever seen it go this quickly.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra your GadgetMatch?

So, is 2026 the right time to get into foldables? The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra delivers a resounding yes. Samsung’s latest book-style foldable is a refined distillation of everything we’ve done so far for the foldable segment. Besides being a strong phone in itself, it’s a true 2-in-1 device that offers actually functional use cases in other configurations.

Plus, we’re at a turning point for foldables. Besides book-style foldables, clamshell phones are just as strong, if not stronger. We’re also on the cusp of passport-style foldables, spearheaded by the regular Fold8 and the rumored iPhone Fold. In terms of choice, there are so many solid options today.

If you’re a power user, the Note8 Ultra is a strong first and gets a Swipe Right. Sure, the cost might burn a whole through your wallet (and it’s a bit more expensive than the previous generation), but that’s ironically why you should get one now. The AI-borne RAM crisis will terrorize the industry for some time, so who knows how much more expensive things will get next year?

For all that, the Galaxy Z Fold8 UItra also gets a Super Swipe. The time to go foldable is now.

Xiaomi’s REDMI Note 15 series was introduced at the very beginning of 2026.

Six months in, they finally welcomed one of its successors in the lineup. But what is it like against its older sibling?

Well, buckle up your seatbelts as we enter and ride the latest REDMI Note 17 Pro rollercoaster ride 🎢

Slow yet steady start

As the hydraulics disengage, the ride starts its initial push.

That immediate start is comparable to binging Our Sticky Love on this phone — Netflix’s freshest K-Drama as of writing.

At first, you’ll be mesmerized by both Ahn Ha-young and Jung Hae-in’s hot AF visuals.

But, the more you fall deeper to the story, the more it gets complicated. This series has a story sequence where it’s least predictable.

Much like any rollercoaster ride, there are a lot of ups and downs where you least expect it to happen.

The opposite can be said with its display. It’s still the same 6.83-inch 120Hz CrystalRes AMOLED display found on its predecessor.

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it’s still a very vibrant and immersive screen regardless — 1.5K display resolution, 12-bit Color Depth, 68 Billion Colors, DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut.

There’s even the usual TÜV Rheinland Blue Light, Flicker-Free, and Circadian Friendly certifications to protect one’s eyes against the harmful night light.

Go Eun-sae (or Go Ji-won)’s divine beauty radiate more than the cherry blossoms behind her.

Moreover, Jang Tae-ha’s smile is as bright as it could ever be.

Speaking of, there’s actually a minor bump in brightness: from 3200 nits up to 3500 nits.

Though that gradual increase meant there isn’t enough disparity between the last and latest Note Pro midrangers.

Still, that brightness is enough to be mesmerized by ARTMS (that are all #BornStunner) even under harsh sunlight.

Boost to the top

The build-up continues with the speaker situation on the REDMI Note 17 Pro.

It wouldn’t be a complete review experience without having to play the latest K-Pop releases around.

After more than two years since the celestial Cosmic title track, now is the best time to celebrate Red Velvet’s grandest comeback with Surfin’ Boy.

With support for Dolby Atmos, I can truthfully hear each and every members’ ethereal vocals in this latest comeback track.

Even playing it outside my room, I can still hear and easily differentiate the voices of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri all thanks to that 300% volume boost.

Another added testament to its powerful speakers is none other than KiiiKiii’s highly-addictive Pop Off Pop Off.

Aside from the strong and steady vocals of the 5th-gen quintet, the thumpy bass and beat drops can clearly be heard in its 2008-coded chorus (plus music video!)

Oh, what a nice time to be alive as a K-Pop girl group stan!

The first drop

After that first momentum, the rollercoaster’s first drop is to be expected.

The design of the REDMI Note 17 Pro deserves to be compared to the ride’s first drop.

Xiaomi went back to the drawing board and decided to scrap its signature styling.

What replaced that large and symmetrical camera island? A left-justified camera cutout.

Two lenses are enclosed in a protruding oval bump made of metal. Meanwhile, the flash unit is placed at the right side of the cutout just above that glass surface.

Put a case on, one would mistook it for a base iPhone 16 Plus.

While design is (and will always be) preferential, it’s personally more of a drop than cop considering how I witnessed the design evolution of REDMI’s Note series over the years.

Despite all that, I still enjoyed the phone’s ergonomics. The flat displays and trims might mean sharper edges. However, it doesn’t feel too abrupt when held for long.

And with the less exciting Black colorway I rock, I’m just glad the back finish isn’t made of glass. This metal backing is resistant against unwanted finger smears.

Into the loop

For the longest time, Xiaomi isn’t consistent with the chips they put in their REDMI Note Pro models. The REDMI Note 17 Pro isn’t an exemption to this.

Last two models in a row, the REDMI Note 14 Pro and 15 Pro relied on MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Ultra and 7400 Ultra respectively. Prior that, the Note 13 Pro was using the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2.

Now that it got mentioned, Xiaomi goes back to Qualcomm after two generations.

Albeit, for the first time ever, it’s equipped with a lower-grade Snapdragon 6s Gen 4. This change somehow became a “downgrade.”

While we don’t do benchmarks here, notable websites prove that Note 15 Pro’s Dimensity 7400 performs better over the “newer” Note 17 Pro.

During my testing, there isn’t much to prove.

It will still depend on what you’re trying to play. Less demanding games such as Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM) were capable to run in modest settings.

Meanwhile, higher-end games like Racing Master meant stuttering and jittering when pushing it to its highest graphics settings.

Moreover, the Note 17 Pro produces unwanted heat over an hour or two of playing.

Specs-wise, the 256GB model I possess boasts the faster UFS 3.1 protocol.

The lower 128GB storage relies on a slower UFS 2.2 standard. Fortunately though, there’s a lone LPDDR4X memory whether you choose between 6, 8, or 12GB.

To make it confusing though, the 12GB variant is only available in a 256GB storage. On the other hand, choosing the 512GB storage only gives you a limiting 8GB RAM.

Despite that, this 6GB I have was still able to open basic apps without a hitch. Switching between them was also a breeze.

One huge push

REDMI is aiming to push its “Titan Durability” strength even further with the Note 17 Pro.

Remember that display? That’s protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. ICYMI, that glass protection is mostly found on just higher-end flagship smartphones.

That doesn’t even end there! Beneath it lies a reinforced design structure that can withstand 3-meter drops.

Whether you drop the phone on a marble or granite floor, it can totally withstand it more than the standard height level.

Pushing the ride further before reaching the peak? None other than the inclusion of quadruple IP ratings: IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K.

Such rating protects it from unwanted sand, dust and other minute particles. As well as the unwanted rain water, deep fresh water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets.

It’s worth mentioning that this is the industry’s first smartphone with TÜV SÜD’s 5-star Titan Quality certification — all acing battery performance as well as water and dust resistance.

Up to the very peak

Despite some losses aforementioned, the REDMI Note 17 Pro isn’t a total wreck.

The biggest improvement lies beneath its chassis. From the 6580mAh battery of its predecessor, it got a significant bump to a 8340mAh capacity.

I don’t mind the added thickness as long as I get a THICC-er battery (7.96mm versus 8.6mm, respectively).

From binge-watching, game testing, multitasking, and even making it as my personal hotspot, the REDMI Note 17 Pro was able to squeeze in a full day of use.

Given you use it for lighter tasks with less screen on-time, you’d instantly get two or more days of standby.

Upon observation though, it deducts around 3 to 5 percent even just on standby. Maybe Xiaomi’s lack of optimization against background apps? Or worse: these unnecessary hyper-bloatware that keep popping off in the notifications drawer.

Hopefully, battery consumption against off-screen background apps would be lessened the moment Xiaomi rolls out the highly-anticipated HyperOS 4 months after this write-up.

If the battery completely dies, the REDMI Note 17 Pro has an upgraded 67W Fast Charging capability. That’s in contrast to the 45W speeds of the previous Note Pro model.

The phone that came to me is a European unit. Thus, it does not ship with a proprietary Xiaomi charger and cable out of the box.

If you’re living in Asia, having a bundled one is highly likely.

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Luckily, I was able to keep one 100W brick inside my cabinet. I even compared it to the 100W GaN charger plus high-speed USB-C cable I use every day.

My GadgetMatch Charge Test proves there’s a stark difference — probably with the lack of proper USB-C PPS support.

	Xiaomi 100W Charger + USB-C to USB-A cable	UGREEN 100W Uno + ADATA Magnetic USB-C to USB-C cable
START TIME (from 0%)	6:27AM	4:27PM
3 minutes	3%	1%
5 minutes	6%	3%
10 minutes	12%	7%
15 minutes	18%	16%
30 minutes	37%	31%
45 minutes	54%	48%
1 hour	71%	66%
1 hour 15 minutes	86%	82%
1 hour 30 minutes	–	92%
END TIME (100%)	5:52PM 1 hour 25 minutes	8:23AM 1 hour 55 minutes

With that 30-minute gap, the REDMI Note 17 Pro was able to fill up faster by using Xiaomi’s very own charging brick and cable.

Down to the final destination ☠️

As the timeless saying goes: “The higher you climb, the harder you fall.”

After that big battery boost comes at the cost of its camera system.

While we always say numbers aren’t everything, it’s too hard to ignore that Xiaomi decided to downgrade the main camera, too.

From that massive 200MP 1/1.4-inch primary sensor all down to just a 50MP 1/2.76-inch shooter.

Even though camera output still results into a binned 12MP shot, that degraded sensor still matters a lot.

During the day, it won’t matter as much to most users.

Honestly though, it’s a mixed bag of results.

Taking the camera indoors or where there’s absence of natural light makes it struggle.

Shooting steadily gives you a hit or miss result — like how it did with my beautiful catto.

However, a split-second press at the shutter release gives you two inconsistent output — at least in EV (Exposure Value), contrast, and even shadows altogether.

 

Most of the time, it’s just purely a huge miss.

That’s most prominent when taking food shots.

I either had to swipe through its built-in camera filters or turn on the flash just to make them look appetizing.

If that’s how its primary camera performs, its 8MP UWA (Ultra-Wide Angle) lens is negligible — as long as you don’t pixel-peep.

Going beyond 2x zoom? Don’t get your hopes too high.

Even with the presence of AI algorithms, the smaller sensor size of the main camera cannot truly compensate that final image quality.

Again, manage your expectations if you’re eye-ing to rock this product.

Although selfies look natural as it can be, the bad news is that, it also got downsized from 20MP f/2.2 to a 16MP f/2.4 shooter.

What a way to end this rollercoaster ride.

Is the REDMI Note 17 Pro your GadgetMatch?

The REDMI Note 17 Pro itself is like any rollercoaster ride. Some may love the adrenaline rush. Others just tried the thrills and will never ever come back again.

Putting our matchmaking magic into context, the REDMI Note 17 Pro is a Swipe Left for most things considered. From its massive design change, slightly-downgraded chipset, and a main camera shooter that also took a downfall.

But, if you heavily consider battery life and faster charging over anything else, the REDMI Note 17 Pro is a soft Swipe Right.

Personally, I can attest how its long-lasting endurance made me worry less about being near in any plug outlet. Also, the carefree mindset of not always having to bring bulky power banks with me whenever I’m out for a day.

Moreover, that dazzling display paired with powerful audio are perfect complement to that boost in battery capacity — especially for any power user like me and you.

Now, with a base price of US$ 399 / SG$ 599, it’s a ride or die situation for REDMI and its existing community.