Nigerian and African tech news: startups, fintech, telecoms, gadgets, AI and policy.

Phones & Gadgets

Poco M8 review: a safe, no-nonsense budget all-rounder

The Poco M8 is IP66 rated, has a bright AMOLED, stable Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 performance, 45W charging and a microSD slot, but no ultrawide.

Poco M8 review: a safe, no-nonsense budget all-rounder

How we reviewed this phone: WebBuild Tech has not tested the Xiaomi Poco M8 ourselves. This review brings together the published specifications and the findings of GSMArena’s full hands-on review, which included lab tests of the battery, display and cameras. Opinions below are attributed to that testing. Prices and availability in Nigeria vary, so check with authorised retailers.

The Poco M8, released on 8 January 2026, is a budget 5G phone with a 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, a 5,520mAh silicon-carbon battery with 45W charging, IP66 protection (IP65 in Europe) and drop resistance up to 1.7m. It weighs just 178g.

Quick verdict

GSMArena calls the Poco M8 “a straightforward, no-nonsense budget all-rounder” and “one of the safest bets” for the money. It nails the basics with a bright display, dependable performance, good thermals, long software support and respectable battery life. The trimmed camera setup is the main compromise.

Key specifications

Released 2026, January 08
Display 6.77 inches, AMOLED, 68B colors, 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density)
Chipset Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Memory 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM; microSD slot
Rear cameras 50MP wide
Selfie camera 20MP wide
Video (rear) 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Battery Si/C Li-Ion 5520 mAh
Charging 45W wired
Build Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Water/dust resistance IP66 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets)
Size and weight 164 x 75.4 x 7.4 mm, 178 g
Software Android 15, up to 4 major OS updates, HyperOS 2
NFC Yes (market/region dependent)
SIM Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM

Specifications from GSMArena’s Xiaomi Poco M8 spec sheet. Some features vary by market.

What reviewers liked

  • IP65/IP66 durability
  • Bright 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Solid everyday performance and excellent thermals
  • Good battery life and decent 45W charging
  • Long software support promise
  • microSD expansion

What could be better

  • No ultrawide camera
  • HDR video support is questionable in practice
  • 4K video lacks stabilisation

Alternatives to consider

Within Xiaomi’s range, GSMArena notes the Redmi Note 15 5G has a more versatile camera for a little more money, while the Poco X7 Pro is much faster. Other rivals include the Galaxy A36, Motorola Edge 60 Fusion and Infinix Note Edge.

Who should buy it

A dependable daily phone for budget buyers who want 5G, a good screen and a tough body, and don’t need an ultrawide camera.

Other published reviews

For more opinions on the Xiaomi Poco M8, read these independent reviews:

Buying tips for Nigeria

  • Buy from an authorised dealer or the brand’s official store so you get a valid local warranty.
  • Dial *#06# and make sure the IMEI matches the box. See our guide on how to check a phone is original.
  • Imported units may not support every Nigerian network band or come with warranty support here, so confirm before paying.

Sources: GSMArena Xiaomi Poco M8 review, GSMArena verdict, GSMArena specifications.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *