In an exciting move for smartphone enthusiasts, Poco, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, has unveiled its latest offerings — the Poco X8 Pro and X8 Pro Max. These devices boast cutting-edge features such as expansive silicon-carbon batteries, robust chipsets, and a minimum of 256GB of storage. Despite their competitive pricing, these smartphones offer specifications on paper that surpass those of the recently released Pixel 10A. A distinct feature of the Poco phones is their understated approach to RGB lighting, with subtle LED rings embedded within each rear camera.

The spotlight, however, shines brightest on the X8 Pro Max, a new addition to Poco’s X series. This model is equipped with an impressive 8,500mAh silicon-carbon battery, with some regions, including India, receiving an even heftier 9,000mAh version. This translates to a battery life that could span two to three days on a single charge, without compromising on the device’s sleek profile, maintaining a thickness of just 8.2mm. The inclusion of 100W PPS wired charging ensures rapid power replenishment.

Under the hood, the Pro Max is driven by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500s, a chipset that debuted in January and closely rivals the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. It is complemented by 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of either 256GB or 512GB, all displayed on a large 6.83-inch OLED screen.

On the other hand, the X8 Pro presents a slightly more compact design, featuring a 6.59-inch display. Its battery, though slightly reduced to 6,500mAh, remains substantial, albeit potentially shy of a full two-day usage. This model is powered by the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, available with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM, and shares the same storage options as its Max counterpart. Both models boast impressive IP69K dust and water resistance ratings, although their camera systems — featuring 50-megapixel main cameras, 8-megapixel ultrawides, and 20-megapixel front cameras — might not turn as many heads.

Poco has added a playful twist to the camera design by incorporating RGB lights within the camera rings. These lights can be programmed to flash for calls, notifications, music playback, and certain gaming scenarios, currently supported by titles such as PUBG and Call of Duty. While users can select specific colors for calls and notifications, the customization options are limited compared to competitors like Nothing’s Glyph lights.

For those who find the design reminiscent of Iron Man’s Arc Reactor, Poco has catered to that exact sentiment by launching a limited edition Iron Man version of the X8 Pro. This variant flaunts a bold black-and-gold aesthetic and is packaged in a unique cardboard briefcase, complete with a custom case, cable, and SIM tool.

While none of the three phones are launching in the US, Poco supplied its global prices in USD. The X8 Pro starts from $329, rising to $399 for the top configuration, the same price as the Iron Man edition. The X8 Pro Max starts at $469, with 512GB storage available for $60 more.

Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge