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TechBar's POCO X8 Pro Max Review

POCO · Reviewed by TechBar · Published 2026-03-17

Rating 4.5/5Source quality 75/100Evidence 15Claims 9Q&A 5Pros 10Cons 1Sponsored

Based on a review by TechBar (accessed 2026-03-17).

What they actually found

  • Loved — Excellent thermal management with a large 5800 mm2 vapor chamber cooling system
  • Annoyed by — Speakers have less bass output despite good loudness and separation

Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about excellent thermal management with a large 5800 mm2 vapor chamber cooling system — just accept speakers have less bass output despite good loudness and separation.

This source's evidence 🎬

Source verdict

The reviewer concludes that the POCO X8 Pro Max is a very interesting phone for its price, offering excellent performance and thermal efficiency, a massive 9000mAh battery without being bulky, a good design, and significantly improved camera capabilities compared to previous models.

About this source

This review covers the POCO X8 Pro Max, unboxing its accessories, and detailing its design, display, audio, biometrics, performance, thermal management, and battery. The reviewer also makes comparisons with the POCO X8 Pro.

Review notes

The POCO X8 Pro Max is a highly recommended smartphone, especially considering its impressive performance and thermal efficiency for its price point. It features a MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor that achieves over 2.8 million on AnTuTu and maintains low temperatures even during extended Genshin Impact sessions, reaching only 44 degrees Celsius after 30 minutes of gameplay. However, its speakers exhibit less bass compared to other aspects of audio quality. If you prioritize strong performance, exceptional battery life, and effective heat management in a smartphone, this device is a compelling option. If deep, resonant bass in your phone's speakers is a top priority, you might want to consider external audio solutions.

What the reviewer liked

  • Excellent thermal management with a large 5800 mm2 vapor chamber cooling system
  • Powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor achieving over 2.8 million on AnTuTu
  • Massive 9000mAh battery without making the phone excessively heavy (220g) or thick (8.2mm)
  • Customizable RGB camera rings for notifications, charging, and gaming feedback
  • Durable design with IP68 and IP69K ratings, plus Gorilla Glass 7i back protection
  • Bright 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPO flat AMOLED display with 2000 nits HBM and Dolby Vision support
  • Good camera improvements with 50MP main sensor and 4K 60fps video support
  • 100W fast charging capable of a full charge in approximately 68 minutes
  • Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for reliable unlocking even with sweaty fingers
  • Premium in-hand feel and design with matte black finish and rounded aluminum frame

What the reviewer criticised

  • Speakers have less bass output despite good loudness and separation

Structured claims

The phone comes with a 100W portable charger, a Type-A to Type-C cable with an orange accent, a SIM ejector, and a good quality protective case.

reviewer_claimstrong

The POCO X8 Pro Max features a very good matte black design with rounded corners, providing a pleasant in-hand feel. It also includes subtle orange accents on the power button and customizable RGB LED camera rings for notifications and other functions.

reviewer_claimstrong

Despite housing a massive 9000mAh battery, the phone maintains a reasonable weight of 220g and a slim profile of 8.2mm, preventing it from feeling like a heavy or thick device.

measurement_claimstrong

The phone is built with an aluminum frame and a Gorilla Glass 7i protected back panel, offering good durability, further enhanced by IP68 and IP69K ratings.

specification_claimstrong

The POCO X8 Pro Max features a 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPS flat AMOLED display with 2000 nits HBM brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. It also supports Dolby Vision on Netflix, offering good color accuracy for its price.

reviewer_claimstrong

The POCO X8 Pro Max features an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which allows for reliable unlocking even with wet or oily fingers, unlike the optical scanner on the standard Pro model.

comparison_claimstrong

The POCO X8 Pro Max is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, achieving an AnTuTu score of approximately 2.8 million, which is comparable to much more expensive phones and offers very strong performance for its price point.

measurement_claimstrong

The phone handles heavy gaming sessions remarkably well, playing COD and BGMI at 120FPS. Even after six continuous BGMI sessions and 30 minutes of Genshin Impact on highest settings, the temperature only rose from 32 to 44 degrees Celsius, attributed to its large 5800 mm² vapor chamber cooling system.

measurement_claimstrong

The device is equipped with a massive 9000mAh battery and supports 100W fast charging, promising extended usage and quick recharges.

specification_claimstrong

Evidence items

100W Charger Portability

reviewer_claimpositivet=00:30–00:36

The phone includes a 100W charger, which the reviewer notes is of a very good and portable size for its wattage.

Included Case Quality

visual_inspectionpositivet=00:40–00:48

A separate, good quality protective case and a SIM ejector are provided in the box, alongside documentation.

Design and In-Hand Feel

reviewer_claimpositivet=00:48–00:54

The reviewer praises the phone's design, specifically the matte black finish and rounded corners, which contribute to a very good in-hand feeling.

9000mAh Battery Capacity

specification_claimneutralt=01:09–01:14

The POCO X8 Pro Max is equipped with an unusually large 9000mAh battery, which the reviewer initially found surprising for a phone.

Device Weight Measurement

measurement_testneutralt=01:18–01:21

Despite its large battery, the phone weighs 220g, which the reviewer found surprisingly reasonable.

Device Thickness Measurement

measurement_testpositivet=01:23–01:28

The phone's thickness is measured at 8.2mm, which is noted as not being thick despite the large battery.

Frame and Back Panel Materials

specification_claimpositivet=01:28–01:34

The phone features an aluminum frame and a back panel protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, contributing to its durability.

Customizable RGB Camera LEDs Demo

hands_on_demopositivet=01:40–01:55

The cameras are surrounded by customizable RGB LEDs that blink for notifications, indicate battery charging, and sync with music, providing an interesting visual element.

IP68 and IP69K Durability Ratings

specification_claimpositivet=02:02–02:06

The phone boasts IP68 and IP69K ratings, indicating good durability against water and dust.

Direct Sunlight Display Visibility Test

hands_on_demopositivet=02:29–02:37

Both the POCO X8 Pro Max and Pro models were tested in direct sunlight and remained very visible, attributed to their 2000 nits HBM brightness.

Netflix Dolby Vision & Color Accuracy Test

hands_on_demopositivet=02:37–02:51

Both phones support Dolby Vision on Netflix, and the reviewer found the color accuracy and output for content like 'Our Planet' to be good for the price.

Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner Comparison

comparisonpositivet=02:59–03:09

The Pro Max variant features an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which works even with sweaty or oily hands, a notable improvement over the normal optical scanner in the POCO X8 Pro.

Dimensity 9500s Processor Performance

measurement_testpositivet=03:16–03:31

The phone features the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, achieving an AnTuTu score of approximately 2.8 million and good Geekbench scores, which are typically found in much more expensive phones.

Continuous Gaming Thermal Test

measurement_testpositivet=04:12–04:31

After playing six continuous BGMI sessions (starting at 32 degrees Celsius, reaching 39 degrees) and then 30 minutes of Genshin Impact on highest settings, the phone's temperature reached only 44 degrees Celsius.

Vapor Chamber Cooling System Size

specification_claimpositivet=04:31–04:36

The phone's excellent heat management during gaming is attributed to its large 5800 mm² vapor chamber cooling system.

Quick answers

  • How good is the POCO X8 Pro Max's gaming performance and thermal management? The POCO X8 Pro Max, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, plays demanding games like COD and BGMI at 120FPS with high average frames.
  • What kind of battery life and charging speed can I expect? The POCO X8 Pro Max is equipped with an impressive 9000mAh battery for extended usage.
  • Is the POCO X8 Pro Max comfortable to hold and durable? The phone has a very good matte black design with rounded corners that provide a comfortable in-hand feeling.
  • What is the display quality of the POCO X8 Pro Max? The display is a 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPS flat AMOLED panel with 2000 nits HBM brightness, making it very visible in direct sunlight.

Buyer questions answered

How good is the POCO X8 Pro Max's gaming performance and thermal management?

The POCO X8 Pro Max, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s, plays demanding games like COD and BGMI at 120FPS with high average frames. Even after extensive continuous gaming, including six BGMI sessions and 30 minutes of Genshin Impact on the highest settings, the phone's temperature only rose from 32 to 44 degrees Celsius, thanks to its 5800 mm² vapor chamber cooling system.

What kind of battery life and charging speed can I expect?

The POCO X8 Pro Max is equipped with an impressive 9000mAh battery for extended usage. It also comes with a 100W fast charger in the box, suggesting quick charging times, though a full charge time isn't explicitly mentioned in the video.

Is the POCO X8 Pro Max comfortable to hold and durable?

The phone has a very good matte black design with rounded corners that provide a comfortable in-hand feeling. Despite its 9000mAh battery, it weighs only 220g and is 8.2mm thick, avoiding a bulky feel. It's also durable with an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 7i back, and IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance.

What is the display quality of the POCO X8 Pro Max?

The display is a 6.83-inch 1.5K LTPS flat AMOLED panel with 2000 nits HBM brightness, making it very visible in direct sunlight. It also supports Dolby Vision on Netflix and offers good color accuracy for content consumption at its price point.

Does the POCO X8 Pro Max have a good fingerprint scanner?

The POCO X8 Pro Max comes with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which the reviewer highlights as a superior feature compared to the optical scanner in the regular X8 Pro. It functions reliably even if your hands are a bit sweaty or fingers are oily.

Specs mentioned in this review

9000mAh Battery Capacity
The POCO X8 Pro Max is equipped with an unusually large 9000mAh battery, which the reviewer initially found surprising for a phone
Device Weight Measurement
Despite its large battery, the phone weighs 220g, which the reviewer found surprisingly reasonable
Device Thickness Measurement
The phone's thickness is measured at 8
Frame and Back Panel Materials
The phone features an aluminum frame and a back panel protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, contributing to its durability
IP68 and IP69K Durability Ratings
The phone boasts IP68 and IP69K ratings, indicating good durability against water and dust
Dimensity 9500s Processor Performance
The phone features the MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, achieving an AnTuTu score of approximately 2
Continuous Gaming Thermal Test
After playing six continuous BGMI sessions (starting at 32 degrees Celsius, reaching 39 degrees) and then 30 minutes of Genshin Impact on highest settings, the phone's temperature reached only 44 degrees Celsius
Vapor Chamber Cooling System Size
The phone's excellent heat management during gaming is attributed to its large 5800 mm² vapor chamber cooling system

Not covered in depth by this source

  • Not covered: Ride Feel
  • Not covered: Traction
  • Not covered: Breathability

Why this source is included

75/100 source quality

  • • Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • ✓ Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

The POCO X8 Pro Max is presented as a compelling new smartphone, featuring a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9500s processor, a 9000mAh battery, and 100W fast charging. The review highlights its robust thermal management, especially during intense gaming sessions, and praises its design including customizable RGB camera rings and a durable build with IP68/IP69K ratings. The display and ultrasonic fingerprint scanner also receive positive remarks, while the camera is noted for significant improvements.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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About this page

This page converts TechBar's review of the POCO POCO X8 Pro Max into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

Sponsorship & disclosure

Sponsored: this source is sponsored by the brand.

Brand relationship disclosed as: sponsored

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