Poco X8 Pro Max

 

7th best phone of 2026 (~$470)

GSMCritic Take: With its stunning 120Hz AMOLED display, massive 8,500mAh battery, and top-tier performance, this phone makes daily use and gaming a joy; the camera is capable on the main sensor, though ultrawide and telephoto options are limited.

Reviews  

Overall phone rating and the reviews that impact it.

86

1st review by

86

6th review by

80

2nd review by

86

GSMCritic Score

90

5th review by

90

3rd review by

82

4th review by

* how the score is calculated?

Last update: 2026-03-27

Pros

Human Checked Mobile Phone Pros&Cons
Camera
Reliable Main Camera: The primary camera is described as capable and reliable in typical usage.
2x Zoom Quality: The camera delivers good results at 2x zoom despite lacking a dedicated telephoto lens.
Performance
Flagship Performance: The Dimensity 9500s platform consistently delivers flagship-tier performance with stable and dependable responsiveness.
Design
Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor: The phone is equipped with an ultrasonic fingerprint reader.
Display
High-Quality Display: The AMOLED display is large, vibrant, and visually striking.
120Hz Refresh Rate: The display includes a 120Hz refresh rate for a fluid visual experience.
High Brightness and Sharpness: The screen is repeatedly noted for strong brightness and sharp image quality.
HDR Support: The display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for enhanced visuals.
Battery
Massive Battery Capacity: The device includes an unusually large 8,500mAh battery.
Exceptional Battery Life: Battery endurance is described as chart-leading, outstanding, and excellent for sustained usage.
Fast Charging Support: The phone supports very fast 100W wired charging.
Reverse Charging: Reverse charging functionality adds versatility to the battery system.
Software
Distinctive Design: The device features a standout design with positive visual appeal.
RGB Lighting Feature: Customizable RGB lighting adds personalization and visual flair.
UI Visual Effects: Blur effects in the interface contribute positively to the UI design.
Connectivity
Modern Connectivity: The device includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 support.
IR Blaster: An IR blaster is included for additional functionality.
Other
Comfortable In-Hand Feel: The phone is described as having an incredible in-hand feel.
Cons
Human Checked Mobile Phone Pros&Cons
Camera
No Telephoto Camera: The camera system lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.

Weak Ultrawide Camera: The ultrawide camera is described as basic and underwhelming.

Inconsistent Camera System: Overall camera performance is uneven, with strong main sensor but weaker secondary cameras.

Skin Tone Issues: The camera requires improvement in rendering accurate skin tones.

Design
Bulky and Heavy: The phone is repeatedly described as bulky and heavy.

Design vs Material Mismatch: Despite a visually appealing design, the material quality does not feel premium.

Battery
No Charger Included: The device does not include a charging brick in the box.

Software
Ads in Software: The software experience includes ads.

Cluttered UI: The interface is described as cluttered and overloaded.

Availability
Pre-installed Apps: The system comes with pre-installed applications.

Rankings


ranking-point The Best Phone Of 2026: #7


ranking-point The Largest Screen Size Of 2026: #4

ranking-point The Smallest Screen Size Of 2026: #13

ranking-point The Lightest Phone Of 2026: #15

ranking-point The Thinnest Phone Of 2026: #12

ranking-point The Fastest Charging Speed Of 2026: #1

ranking-point The Highest Screen To Body Ratio Of 2026: #9

ranking-point The Cheapest Phone Of 2026: #6