When we think of a budget smartphone, we usually picture a bare-bones device with skimpy specs, a washed-out screen, and sluggish performance under heavy use. I spent the last 30 days using the POCO M8 5G as my primary phone, and it challenges a lot of those assumptions. In this review I share hands-on impressions of how the phone performs in real life and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.

Design and In-Hand Feel

The POCO M8 makes a strong first impression for a phone in this price bracket. Both the front and back have subtle curves that give it a more premium feel than its price suggests. It’s sleek in the hand and well balanced, so it doesn’t feel heavy or awkward to hold.

The IP64 rating is a welcome addition — it offers protection against light rain and dust. The plastic back keeps fingerprints down and provides a comfortable grip, although a glass or vegan-leather finish would have pushed the premium feel further.

Display and Viewing Experience

The display is one of the phone’s best strengths. You get a large 6.77-inch screen with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling and general use very smooth. In my time with it I didn’t notice any lag while scrolling or casual gaming, though this isn’t designed for very high-end gaming sessions.

What really stands out is the peak brightness of 3200 nits — everything stays readable even in harsh sunlight. The panel also carries Triple TUV Rheinland eye protection certification, which helps reduce eye strain for heavy night use. Colours are vibrant and the curved edges help create an almost bezel-less viewing experience.

Processor and Real-World Performance

Under the hood the phone uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) chipset. I ran multiple apps, did heavy multitasking, and downloaded large files — the phone handled daily tasks without noticeable stutter. The chipset pairs with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage; for everyday use this combination is fine, though UFS 3.1 would have offered an extra performance boost.

Software comes as HyperOS 2, which felt well optimized for performance, but the phone does ship with quite a bit of third-party bloatware — that’s my main gripe. POCO’s promise of four years of Android updates and six years of security updates is impressive for a budget device and a big selling point.

Camera Quality in Real Life

The rear camera setup is 50MP + 2MP, and this is where the phone shows its limitations. In good daylight the camera captures decent, well-balanced photos, but image quality drops noticeably when you zoom in — so this isn’t the phone for people who like zoom shots.

Video support includes 4K, but stabilization and rendering feel average. For selfies there’s a 20MP front camera that captures good detail in ample light, but performs poorly in low light with visible noise. Overall, the camera is serviceable for casual photography but not a highlight of the phone.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is solid. The POCO M8 5G packs a 5520mAh battery that comfortably delivers a full day of use on my routine. Given current trends, a 6–7k mAh cell would have made this device stand out even more, but 5520mAh is still generous. With the included 33W charger the phone takes roughly an hour and a half to charge from 0 to 100%.

Price in India and Availability

In India the POCO M8 5G starts at ₹17,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant. The 8GB + 128GB model is priced at ₹18,999, while the top model with 8GB + 256GB costs ₹20,999. ICICI, Axis and SBI card users get an instant ₹1,000 cashback, which can bring the effective price closer to the ₹15,000 range. The phone is available on Flipkart and through offline retailers in Carbon Black, Glacial Blue and Frost Silver.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The POCO M8 5G is a good choice for buyers who prioritise a great display, long software support and reliable day-long battery life. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and overall performance is competent for routine use.

The camera setup is the phone’s weakest area, and UFS 2.2 storage isn’t the fastest, but considering the price these compromises are understandable. POCO hasn’t tried to radically differentiate this model — it isn’t a breakout device — but it delivers solid value and a dependable everyday experience.