The RRP for the Xiaomi Poco X8 Pro max is $470/€390. That will get you a base 12GB/256GB unit. The higher-end 12GB/512GB one retails for $530/€530. We won’t pretend like that is cheap in absolute terms, but it is still definitely far from full flagship pricing in 2026.
Poco X8 Pro Max • Poco X8 Pro Iron Man Edition
There are plenty of interesting competitors to consider. From Xiaomi’s own lineup, we have the Poco F8 Pro. Unfortunately, the F8 Ultra is a bit outside of budget. The Pro is also great with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is not too dissimilar to the Dimensity 9500s in terms of raw performance. You also get modern connectivity, a solid display and speakers for a great multimedia experience. Pretty much all of the bases are covered.
Say you don’t need all the bells and whistles and would rather save some money? Surprisingly, the Poco X7 Pro delivers most of the same experience on a pretty tight budget. Sure, you don’t get a telephoto, but possibly, it is not a priority for you. It’s actually pretty hard to bear the Poco X7 Pro’s performance per dollar proposition, with its excellent Dimensity 8400 Ultra chip.
Xiaomi Poco F8 Pro • Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro • Xiaomi 15T Pro
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are willing to spend a bit more, the Xiaomi 15T Pro is an excellent option. As established already, the Dimensity 9400+ chipset inside it is pretty much the same as the Dimensity 9500s inside the Poco X8 Pro Max. Other highlights include excellent build quality, an excellent display and speakers and a 5x 50MP telephoto.
Naturally, there are good offers outside Xiaomi’s lineup. Over in camp Samsung, the Galaxy S25 FE is an interesting proposition. A telephoto camera and Samsung’s signature One UI with a whopping seven major OS updates.
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE • vivo V70 • vivo iQOO 15R
The vivo V70 fits right in the budget, though it might still not be easily available globally. If you can get your hands on one, it looks and feels great and has a clear focus on cameras without breaking the bank. Its autofocusing selfie camera is a particular highlight for any vlogging or selfie enthusiasts out there.
And seeing how the huge battery is one of the big highlights of the Poco X8 Pro Max, the vivo iQOO 15R deserves a spot on the list as well with its large 7,600 mAh pack. However, it also might be harder to find internationally.
The Poco X8 Pro Max is exactly the kind of phone that helped build Poco’s reputation in the first place. It offers a well-rounded package with very few compromises and a handful of standout features, all while keeping the price firmly in the “flagship killer” territory.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the X8 Pro Max is its battery. The massive 8,500mAh unit delivers outstanding endurance in our tests, easily ranking among the longest-lasting phones we’ve ever reviewed. Combine that with 100W charging, and you end up with a device that is not only hard to drain but also quick to refill when you eventually do.
Performance is another strong point. The Dimensity 9500s might not be the absolute top-tier silicon in MediaTek’s lineup, but it delivers excellent real-world performance and plenty of headroom for demanding games and heavy multitasking. HyperOS 3 runs smoothly on top of it.
The display is also easy to like. It’s large, sharp, very bright and supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The symmetrical stereo speakers complement it nicely, making the phone well-suited for media consumption.
The camera system is headlined by a very capable 50MP main camera that produces lively photos with plenty of detail both during the day and at night. The ultrawide is less exciting, and the lack of a dedicated telephoto might disappoint some users, but the overall camera experience remains solid for the price class.
Ultimately, the Poco X8 Pro Max manages to deliver a lot of flagship-grade features without straying too far from Poco’s value-focused roots. Between the excellent battery life, strong performance, capable cameras and bright AMOLED display, it’s a very easy phone to recommend for anyone looking for maximum bang for their buck.
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