Xiaomi has strategically divided the Poco F8 Pro and F8 Ultra, creating a clear distinction between these two devices. While the Ultra is undoubtedly superior in most aspects, the question remains: is it worth the extra cost? Let's dive into the details and explore the differences that justify the price gap.
Design:
The Poco F8 Pro and F8 Ultra share a similar design language, but there are some key differences. Many users will appreciate the Pro's premium feel, thanks to its glass back and aluminum frame, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i on the front. On the other hand, the F8 Ultra offers a unique silicone polymer back option, giving it a rubbery texture that might surprise some.
In terms of size, the Pro is lighter and more compact due to its smaller display, making it a preferred choice for those who prefer a more compact phone.
Display Comparison:
Despite the size difference, both handsets boast almost identical displays. They achieve impressive brightness levels, with over 1,000 nits at 75% fill and around 3,500 nits at 10% fill. Additionally, they share the same HDR certifications, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
Battery Life:
The F8 Ultra takes the lead with a slightly larger battery, resulting in slightly longer battery life. Interestingly, the difference is most noticeable in web browsing and video playback tests, while call and gaming runtimes remain relatively similar.
Charging Speed:
Both devices support Xiaomi's 100W HyperCharge proprietary charging standard, resulting in comparable charging times. However, the F8 Ultra, with its larger battery, charges slightly slower than the F8 Pro at the 15 and 30-minute marks. Additionally, the F8 Ultra supports Xiaomi's fast 50W wireless charging, a notable advantage.
Speaker Test:
While the specs suggest identical stereo speakers tuned by Bose, the F8 Ultra surprises with a built-in subwoofer, typically found in tablets. This feature enhances the sound, making it fuller, warmer, and with more pronounced bass. In contrast, the F8 Pro, with its flatter sound, is ideal for podcasts and videos, emphasizing vocals and mids.
Performance:
As expected, the Pro version features last year's flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Ultra boasts the newest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. While this might not significantly impact most users, the Ultra's performance is noticeably better, especially with the latest advancements in Qualcomm's chip technology.
In terms of storage, both devices offer similar options, with the default being 12GB/256GB and the option to upgrade to 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. However, the Ultra's higher-tier memory option provides 16GB of RAM, an upgrade over the Pro's 12GB.
Benchmark Performance:
The performance difference is notable. The F8 Ultra's newer SD 8 Gen 5 chipset is 26% faster in CPU-only benchmarks and shows a 13% improvement in GPU-heavy workloads. In the combined AnTuTu 10 benchmark, the newer SoC offers a 10% improvement.
Both devices excel at handling heavy apps and modern games with sophisticated graphics. The F8 Ultra's higher performance ensures a longer lifespan and better aging resistance.
On the software side, both run HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, with Xiaomi promising 4 major OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches.
Camera Comparison:
The F8 Ultra shines with its camera system, featuring a larger main sensor, a telephoto camera with a longer optical zoom (5x vs. 2.5x), and an ultrawide camera with higher resolution and a larger sensor. The front-facing camera on the F8 Ultra is also more powerful, with a 32MP resolution compared to the F8 Pro's 20MP.
Image Quality:
While the F8 Pro and F8 Ultra produce similar images with their main cameras, the F8 Ultra's images are sharper, more detailed, and have better definition, especially in low-light conditions. The ultrawide camera on the F8 Ultra also delivers superior results, with higher resolution and a more natural rendition.
Video Quality:
When it comes to videos, the F8 Pro's ultrawide camera surprisingly performs better, offering sharper 1080p footage. In 4K, the quality is identical between the two phones. In low-light conditions, the F8 Ultra's main camera excels, capturing videos with better dynamic range and less noise.
Verdict:
The F8 Ultra is undoubtedly the better choice, as intended by Xiaomi. It offers faster performance, a larger screen, slightly longer battery life, better sound quality, and a more potent camera setup. However, the price difference of around €180 might be a deal-breaker for some. The F8 Pro, with its more compact size, similar user experience, and lower price, could be a more appealing option for those on a budget or who prefer a smaller device.
So, which one would you choose? The powerful F8 Ultra or the more affordable F8 Pro? Let us know in the comments!
