Reviews

Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro review: By two different Pro users

Two different nations, one phone

Published

January 26, 2021

GadgetMatch

2020 has been flooded by smartphones of all kinds — budget, midrange, premium flagships, flagship killers, you name ’em. But what makes the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro a new breed of its own? Well, aside from the fact that it packs the flagship-tier Snapdragon 865 chipset and a great amount of fast internals, it costs less than both a flagship and a “flagship killer”.

Some (or most) might know that GadgetMatch has writers from different parts of the globe. In this review, Vincenz, our Creative Producer from the Philippines, and Shivam, our India Correspondent, went all out in testing and making the Mi 10T Pro their daily smartphone for more than two months. It’s safe to say that both users maximized the usage of this phone.

To make this experience more reliable, both users also tried last year’s predecessors: Vincenz with his Xiaomi Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro reviews, while Shivam with the Indian variant Redmi K20 and K20 Pro.

Without further a do, let’s hear what they have to say about Xiaomi’s latest Mi-T series phone.

How does the Mi 10T Pro feel in hand?

Shivam: The first thing you’ll notice about the phone is its weight, and at 218gms, it does feel like you’re holding a brick. The 108-megapixel sensor requires a lot of space and it’s evident with the massive bump. You’d often get tired while playing intensive games like PUBG Mobile, but thankfully the rounded corners and slightly curved edges provide some grip.

It’s also quite obvious that Xiaomi has tried to cut corners in the design department. The back of the phone does feel a little flimsy, but that’s visible only if you try to find the spot. As a flagship, in-hand feel is the only department where the phone feels underwhelming.

Vincenz: My first time holding it reminded me of the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite I reviewed months ago because of its thickness and heft. With all the 2020 smartphones I reviewed, this one is just a tad heavier and thicker for my liking.

The comfortable “hand-feeling” isn’t as great as when I held the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the vivo V20 Pro, but this is better than the super slim and lightweight form of the Galaxy S20+ which felt so fragile as it might slip out of my hand any time.

However, in a country where you have to remain vigilant about pickpockets, that added heft is a good factor to know that you have your phone safe in your pocket.

Any rants about its design?

Vincenz: Two things: First, I don’t like how they added another circle just to make it “symmetrical” — which can fool a lot of consumers into thinking it has four cameras and a flash module. Second, I’m not a fan of that glass back.

Again, based from my review experience, vivo’s V20 Pro has a matte glass back which looks and feels nice. It also lessens those icky fingerprint smears whenever you use it with bare hands. Not good when little kids (cousins, niece, or nephews) are around and they want to play with your phone.

Slapping on a good case would be handy but it would make the phone even thicker. Other than those two concerns, the Mi 10T Pro is still good-looking.

Shivam: When I saw the phone for the first time, it reminded me of the Mi A3. It was a classic Android One phone that focused on software and incorporated decent hardware. The back of the Mi 10T Pro looks very similar to the two-year-old phone. A simple glass slab on a greyish metal surface. We’re habituated with new designs from Xiaomi, so this one seemed monotonous.

And like all glass phones, this one is prone to fingerprints and smudges. No matter how much you try, the back will always remain blemished. The sides of the camera module also attract a lot of dirt and gunk that can get difficult to remove. Lastly, the weight and glass back make the phone very slippery, in turn, also delicate. As Vincenz said, you can always opt for a case, but that’ll just add more weight and thickness.

Would you rather: Pick last year’s AMOLED display vs IPS-LCD as long as you keep that fast refresh rate?

Shivam: I feel Xiaomi did the perfect thing by ditching an AMOLED display. The phone has a massive edge in terms of pricing and that’s achievable due to these changes. And, the step-back doesn’t hinder the day-to-day experience.

While there’s no doubt that an LCD display can never produce the blacks or contrast like an AMOLED one, the Mi 10T Pro’s panel has very bright and saturated colors, excellent contrast, and decent viewing angles. I’ve always preferred an AMOLED display personally, but I shifted to this phone for two months without feeling unsatisfied.

Once you use a 144Hz phone, going back to a standard 60Hz display is going to be challenging. The smoothness is very easily evident and you’ll notice it more if you read long PDFs or multitask too often. As a work partner, the refresh rate does bring a consistent flow that’s certainly addictive. In a nutshell, yes, I’m totally fine with an LCD display as long as it’s top-notch and brings higher refresh rates!

Vincenz: Kind of a tough question for me. I’m a creative so I want the best possible display in most (if not all) of the devices I use. I’d still pick the Mi 9T Pro’s AMOLED display because I want those deep blacks plus better colors and contrast for my viewing pleasure. In this country where sun rays and air pollution are harsh, going outside means your screen should be visible enough for use. I kind of suffered with the Mi 10T Pro’s IPS-LCD while trying to use this phone in direct sunlight.

Although it has a 144Hz refresh rate, I’ll simply ditch it over a 60Hz AMOLED one because that buttery-smooth experience is only seen when navigating and scrolling but can’t be maximized yet due to limitations of most smartphone games.

Is it great for multimedia use?

Jeon Heejin is a gift from all Gods

Vincenz: Despite not having an AMOLED display, I still enjoy watching on this smartphone. Whether I use Netflix or YouTube, I still love that fullscreen experience with a small hindrance of the punch-hole cutout. If there wasn’t a pandemic, I’m pretty sure most jeepney and bus commuters in Metro Manila would glare and stare at your phone because of how immersive and borderless it looks.

Although I use my AirPods and Galaxy Buds+ more often when watching and listening, that stereo speaker is still commendable and loud enough for those ultra-loud sessions inside your house.

Shivam: This is where you won’t even realize it’s an LCD display (unless you’re in pitch black darkness). Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and all other streaming services look like a treat, and thanks to the massive battery, you never have to worry about juice. The screen is almost bezel-less and even the chin is quite small.

The onboard speaker is loud enough and perfect for conference calls. The microphone is sensitive enough, so if you’re too tired of earbuds after a long day, just shift to the phone. To be honest, I miss the headphone jack. I prefer wired headphones while I’m home and it’s a feature that’s available on all Xiaomi phones in the mid and budget segment, so why not the Mi 10T Pro?

Are you an in-display fingerprint reader-type of guy or are you satisfied with its side-mounted scanner?

Shivam: I was about to say that thanks to an LCD display, they were forced to go for a physical sensor. And, it’s a very good thing. The in-display sensors are slower than traditional ones and I usually can’t operate them due to humid weather (sweaty hands) or greasy hands (DIY projects). The location of the fingerprint scanner is on the right side and you automatically get used to it within a few minutes. Much faster and convenient.

In-display fingerprint scanners were a fantasy for the longest of time. But they’re here now, we’ve used them for well over two years, and none of them are close to replacing an ordinary physical companion. Some things, like the 3.5mm headphone jack, are immortal.

Vincenz: I’m definitely the side-mounted-type of guy. Other than the fact that it’s fast for unlocking (trust me, my experience with In-Display FPs are just that slow), I just like how its ergonomically-placed on the side of the phone. You can even unlock it with wet fingers 💦 (not advisable for super wet conditions since this isn’t IP-rated).

Will the spec-obsessed enjoy its real-world performance? Thoughts on MIUI 12?

Vincenz: I already said in my previous reviews that I’m both an Apple and an Android user. MIUI is loveable for me as it has some of the goodies I love from iOS such as the lack of a separate app drawer and the overall response and feel. MIUI 12 felt more familiar with its new Control Center, yet still flexible and intuitive with its host of UI features, gestures, and other easter eggs hidden in the basket.

I know the pandemic has turned a lot of Filipinos into gamers and streamers. If you’re one of them, consider this phone as a great recommendation. Can you imagine a flagship-grade performance with this beast? Let’s scrap out those pesky spec sheet and benchmarks. I was able to play graphics-intensive games like Asphalt 9, Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM), PUBG and do multitasking with socials on the side without any slouch.

Shivam: MIUI has come a long way in the last few years and the skin works for everyone. It’s loaded to the brim with day-to-day features and it has found a balance. Unlike Samsung’s Note series, it isn’t very complicated to use, and feature discoverability has improved leaps and bounds. The settings menu has a plethora of micro options that customize your experience at each step. Once you get the phone, just take an hour to browse the settings menu and you’ll be fine.

The flagship processor stands true to its words and works like a charm. The one thing I appreciate the most is, the processor and display work together without a glitch, delivering a pleasing 144Hz experience. Whether it’s basic UI graphics or intensive gaming, the phone can handle anything. The RAM optimization is spot-on and it can store multiple apps for hours in the background seamlessly. While the phone looks boring from the outside, it’s equally interesting and assuring from the inside.

Also, I’d like to point out that India is a very specification-obsessed market and the flagship processor makes it very easy to recommend this phone. Even though you’ll barely see a difference in terms of day-to-day performance between the Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765, the psychological satisfaction is enormous.

Did the 5,000mAh battery last you that long?

Shivam: It always lasted more than a day. On a very intense day, it’ll provide screen time of more than nine hours on a single charge. That’s a LOT! And you shouldn’t even be using your phone that much in a day. The phone showed its true capability when I was traveling for a day in low network areas and it still managed to retain 40 percent at 5PM with Google Maps and Spotify switched on.

Vincenz: Hell yeah! Speaking as a hardcore pro user, I was able to last ’til the end of the day with socials, gaming, listening, watching, and even photo-taking. If you’re thinking about buying this phone because of its large battery size, you will not regret your purchase because of its great battery endurance.

What about charging speeds? Are they as fast as advertised?

Charged with the bundled charger and cable

Vincenz: Quick charge is another feature I like with the Mi 10T Pro. Other than the blessing of being equipped with USB-C (I mean new smartphones like this SHOULD be equipped with it), it was able to fill up that monstrous battery for about an hour.

Considering how enormous 5,000mAh is, it’s fast enough to fill up the phone especially if you forgot to charge it and have errands to do outside amid the heaps of crowds in malls and supermarkets hoarding masks, face shields, and grocery items.

Shivam: Due to the pandemic, I almost stopped charging my phone to full. If I’m going out, just a quick 15-minute charge is sufficient for hours of usage. It can fully charge the phone within 75 minutes, which is a very short period. This phone will never keep you hooked to a wall.

How are the 5G speeds? Were you able to use it in your country?

5G Speeds tested in BGC, Taguig

Shivam: India hasn’t rolled out 5G yet, so I couldn’t test one of its prime offerings. We expect a spectrum sale in 2021 and telcos like Jio are optimistic about a 2022 launch. But the country is still far away from commercial-grade roll-out. So, should you be investing in 5G right now? Is this phone slightly future proof?

If you use a phone for three or more years, then this may be future proof for you. That’s assuming 5G rolls out in your circle in the initial phases. Otherwise, there’s no use in particularly buying a 5G phone right now. Oh yes, it’s a completely different scenario if you travel frequently and can leverage 5G in other countries temporarily. 5G connectivity is gradually becoming mainstream and will it hit its peak when the world’s second-largest smartphone market joins in.

Vincenz: There are only a few 5G hotspots in the Philippines. I live in a province near the Metro but we still don’t have any 5G towers around here. But because of the ease in lockdown measures, I was able to go out and test it in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig, which is around an hour away from my home. Alabang might be a nearer stop as it only takes 30-minutes to go there but I’m quite unsure with the specifics of the 5G cellsites around the area.

Local 5G speeds may not reach those ultra-fast gbps speeds as other 5G-equipped countries like South Korea and USA, but considering the Philippines has one of the slowest internet connections in the world, this is already an ultimate gift for internet-savvy users especially when you’re outside and you don’t have a fast Wi-Fi connection near you.

Are the rear cameras among the best for its price?

Vincenz: I’ll be direct with this — it’s not THAT bad. It’s just not the best.

Disclaimer: Although being a creative means processing your photos every now and then, the photos below were taken straight out of the camera without any color correction, touch-ups, whatsoever.

To be fair, the cameras taken in the right amount of sunlight look excellent.

Whether that may be a wide, zoomed, or even an ultra-wide shot — they all look great!

But coming from someone who was astounded with the Mi 9T Pro’s excellent cameras, the Mi 10T Pro was kind of a step back. There were inconsistencies here and there. White Balance might not be accurate at times especially in all three sensors as the main sensor produces the best-looking shots and something that’s closer to reality. Of course, that can easily be corrected through post-processing.

But there are other factors that are not fixable through post.

One is the Dynamic Range with blown-out highlights and shadows altogether that can be seen below.

Sometimes, AI and HDR don’t even agree with each other.

The first photo of those little munchkins looked delicious but the chicken cheese bomb I captured after looked so bland and less appetizing.

I also have trouble every time I try to focus or zoom on a subject.

Speaking of macro, I just don’t like how the radial blur tries to fake that depth segmentation against the subject. The Mi 9T Pro wasn’t like this when taking zoomed and macro shots. Surprisingly, I experienced the same issue with the V20 Pro and even the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

For night shots, it gets the job done thanks to AI and the wide aperture in its sensors. Then again, there was a White Balance inconsistency that’s fixable through post.

Considering its price range, don’t really expect it’ll produce stunning night shots since cameras are what sets less expensive phones apart from flagships.

For something you would just post on social media, it wouldn’t really matter. It’s just me being nit-picky about this — and I know some phone users might be like me, too. This also makes room for improvements for a lot of smartphone manufacturers in their future releases.

Shivam: I’d say the cameras do an excellent job during the day but slightly disappoint during low-light or immediate circumstances. The iPhone is often jokingly called the best selfie phone when you’re drunk and that’s because of reliable and quick hardware-software integration. The Mi 10T Pro does click pictures like a flagship, but the experience is slightly different.

The pictures look stunning with accurate colors, balanced contrasts, and precise sharpness.

Don’t get me wrong, the result is very satisfying and if you’re not a photography enthusiast, the drawbacks aren’t glaringly visible. But after using Xiaomi phones for years across different price bands, we’ve come to expect above-average performance from pretty much all of them. So, seeing average results from a flagship is underwhelming.

When clicked in low-light environments, the sensor struggles to capture the shadows, details are missing, and the noise removal algorithm seems to be too aggressive. Although, the night mode works seamlessly and does a much better job of refining the binned image.

One thing that annoyed me the most was the camera app’s capture button. Clicking a picture single-handedly is a herculean task because the heavy phone rests on two fingers and the button would fail to register a click most of the time. Initially, I thought I’m doing something wrong, but with more than two months of usage, it has always been a repeat offender.

What makes this phone so special? It has a 108-megapixel primary camera that can capture a lot of details. If you’re looking for stunning landscapes that have practically unlimited zoom, this phone is for you. I clicked a 108-megapixel image while taking off from Mumbai and the results are quite impressive. The sensor is quick and the stabilization is on-point.

How’s the selfie quality of that single punch-hole camera?

Shivam: This has actually become a very straightforward answer for pretty much all modern phones — it’s good and gets the job done. There’s a 20-megapixel sensor in the punch-hole cut-out and it clicks satisfying images during the day. The software is able to accurately pick up your skin tone and add a smoothening layer that isn’t too aggressive. Obviously, the beauty additions are optional.

Vincenz: I always say I’m not the biggest selfie user but after trying it out, I’m really happy with how my selfies turned out. The smearing or face smoothing isn’t as bad as other phones as I like how there are still full details that can be seen on my face. The depth in portrait mode also produced a clean cutout of my hair.

Portrait Mode OFF | Portrait Mode ON

Other than that, I also like the inclusion of the ultra-wide mode for those groufies with social distancing (in which a National chief police officer and his constituents failed to do so).

Is the Mi 10T Pro Your GadgetMatch?

Vincenz: Michael Josh did not give the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval in his Mi 10T Pro review for no reason. At just PhP 24,990, it’s a no-brainer to recommend the Mi 10T Pro for most users.

If you’re into a great all-around smartphone without breaking the bank, this is a sure recommendation. Equipped with the best specs, a good display with a fast refresh rate, and hosts of features, what more could you ask for? But if you value cameras the most out of those aforementioned factors, look elsewhere.

If you don’t mind the notch and the less-powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset and you prefer a better look and feel, the vivo V20 Pro is also worth considering. It even has great cameras for its price.

Shivam: Yes, the phone is surely recommendable. It tries to cut corners in a lot of places, but that doesn’t end up hampering the end-experience. For a very aggressive price of INR 39,999 (US$ 550), the Mi 10T Pro gets a flagship processor, 144Hz display, a 108-megapixel camera, and a slightly more premium experience. If you’re looking for an all-rounder that can get anything done, this phone is made for you. But, if you’re looking for the most cutting-edge flagship, you’ve come to the wrong place.

The OnePlus 8T is a slightly expensive option but lacks a lot of crucial features that make the Mi 10T Pro special. And, like Vincenz suggested, if you’re fine with a Snapdragon 765G chipset, the vivo V20 Pro is an excellent choice along with the OPPO Reno 4 Pro.

Philippines

The HONOR X8d is serviceable

Steady but slow?

Published

March 19, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Some smartphones aim to stand out. Others just aim to work. The HONOR X8d falls squarely into the second category.

In day-to-day use, it presents itself as a device that focuses on the essentials. It’s functional, predictable, and easy to understand—but also a reminder of how noticeable the gap can be once performance and responsiveness start to lag behind.

A design-first approach

The HONOR X8d makes a decent first impression. It’s slim, relatively lightweight, and easy to hold despite packing a large battery. The flat sides and smooth back give it a clean, modern look, while the camera module adds a bit of visual identity.

It’s available in Light Blue, Velvet Black, and Velvet Grey—options that lean into its youthful positioning. The device also feels sturdy in hand, backed by SGS certification for drop and crush resistance, along with IP65-level protection against dust and splashes.

For a device in this category, the HONOR X8d delivers a build that feels dependable enough for daily use.

Display and media: Bright and usable

Miss All Sunday makes everything look good

Up front, the HONOR X8d features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 3000 nits peak brightness. Colors are vibrant, and the panel supports 100% DCI-P3, which helps content look lively.

For casual viewing, the experience is serviceable. Watching shows or videos feels comfortable, and the high brightness ensures visibility even under harsh lighting. Features like 3840Hz PWM dimming and E-Book mode also help reduce eye strain during extended use.

Now Playing: One Piece Season 2

I skimmed through a few episodes of the One Piece Season 2 live action on Netflix and again it was… alright. Nothing here will blow you away but it serves its purpose.

I also listened to “Attitude” by aespa on YouTube music and it just echoes the general feeling of the phone – serviceable.

That said, the overall experience remains straightforward. It delivers what you need for day-to-day media consumption without going much further.

Performance is where compromises show

The HONOR X8d runs on the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 2 paired with 8GB of RAM. On paper, it’s positioned for everyday tasks, but in practice, performance leans on the modest side.

Basic interactions like switching between apps or scrolling through feeds can feel slower than expected. There’s a noticeable delay at times, even during simple tasks, which affects the overall flow of the experience.

This extends to camera usage as well, where responsiveness can occasionally feel a step behind. The device remains usable, but the pacing may feel dragging depending on what you’re used to.

Cameras are reliable in good light

The HONOR X8d is equipped with a 108MP main camera alongside a 5MP wide camera, with a 16MP shooter up front.

In good lighting conditions, the phone produces decent images. Shots are clear enough, with acceptable detail and color for social media sharing. The camera system also benefits from a suite of AI tools such as AI Eraser, AI Cutout, and AI Upscale, which add flexibility when editing photos.

Zoom options at 1x, 2x, and 3x remain usable, though results are best when lighting is favorable. Overall, the camera system is dependable for casual snaps.

Software and AI: familiar, feature-filled

Running on MagicOS 10 based on Android 16, the HONOR X8d comes with a feature-rich software experience. It includes tools like AI Translate, AI Writing, AI Notes, and AI Recorder, alongside features such as Magic Portal and Circle to Search.

Like many Android skins today, MagicOS follows a design approach that will feel immediately familiar. The layout, navigation, and overall structure borrow heavily from the iOS-inspired blueprint that most brands have adopted. It’s easy to get into, even for less experienced users.

Typical of entry-level smartphones, the device also includes app recommendations out of the box. Thankfully, these aren’t overly intrusive, and many of the suggested apps are ones users would likely install anyway.

The software helps add depth to the overall package, even if the hardware limits how smooth everything feels in actual use.

Battery and everyday use is a clear strength

One of the standout features of the HONOR X8d is its 7000mAh battery. It’s designed to last through extended use, whether for streaming, browsing, or everyday communication.

Paired with 45W HONOR SuperCharge, topping up the device remains relatively quick. For users who prioritize longevity over speed, this is easily one of the more reliable aspects of the phone.

Is the HONOR X8d your GadgetMatch?

When HONOR Philippines was first teasing the phone it was positioned as something for students. But if I were a parent, I’m pretty sure I’d like my kid to have some kind of advantage and not have to deal with a device that might not be able to keep up with them.

After learning that it’s priced at PhP 15,999 my verdict just became much clearer. This is a Swipe Left.

Add a few more to that price and you can get an excellent smartphone at its early bird price.

The HONOR X8d focuses on delivering the basics—design that works, a large battery, and a feature-filled software experience.

However, the overall experience depends heavily on what you prioritize. For users who simply need a phone that can get through daily tasks, the X8d does enough to hold its ground. For those who value speed and responsiveness, it may feel a step behind.

Whether it fits your needs ultimately comes down to how much you’re willing to trade performance for battery life and features.

Reviews

POCO X8 Pro Max review: A new beast from the far east

That “Pro Max” naming superlative is more than justified

Published

March 17, 2026

Vincenz

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 1 hour 30 minutes	2:08AM 1 hour 34 minutes

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.

Reviews

POCO X8 Pro Iron Man Edition review: Midrange phone in superhero armor

POCO x MK15

Published

March 17, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

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.