Ever been in the middle of a ranked match when suddenly the 20% battery notification pops up? Or had to choose between a phone with great battery life but mediocre performance, or one that's fast but drains power quickly? The Poco X8 Pro Max attempts to solve this dilemma in a rather bold way—packing a massive 8500 mAh battery (the largest in its class) into a body powered by the flagship-level Dimensity 9500S chipset. Starting at Rp 6,699,000, this phone directly targets gamers who want extended play sessions without worrying about running out of juice mid-match.

Editorial Verdict

Synthesis of gadget reviewer opinions highlighting key strengths and main compromises.

Quick Summary

The Poco X8 Pro Max is a solid choice for marathon gamers with the largest battery in its class and capable performance, though there are compromises in the camera department and a large physical footprint.

Best for:

• Gamers who frequently play 4+ hours without charger access
• Users who prioritize extreme battery longevity
• Those seeking high performance on a limited budget

Not ideal for:

• Users who prioritize camera quality
• Those wanting a compact and lightweight phone
• Mobile photographers needing premium camera sensors

Final verdict: Worth buying if your top priority is extended gaming duration with stable performance, provided you're okay with the large size and fairly standard camera.

Complete Specifications

Position in the Mid-Range Gaming Battlefield

The 6-7 million rupiah segment is like a gladiator arena: packed with equally hungry competitors. There's the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, the aggressive Realme GT Neo series, or the POCO F6 that focuses more on raw power. But the Poco X8 Pro Max plays a different strategy—combining a massive battery with a high-end chipset, a combination rarely found.

Most phones with large batteries use mid-range chipsets for power efficiency. Conversely, those with flagship chipsets typically only get standard 5000-6000 mAh batteries. The Poco X8 Pro Max? Takes both.

The Dimensity 9500S is actually a rebrand of the Dimensity 9400 Plus—a chipset whose performance nearly matches the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. An AnTuTu score around 2.8 million is no joke. This is true "flagship killer" territory: performance approaching expensive phones, but at a much more wallet-friendly price. Genshin Impact on high settings? Can do. Call of Duty Mobile maxed out? Smooth.

The design? Standard Poco X series: fiberglass material, functional appearance without excessive frills. The focus is indeed on performance, not showing off aesthetics. The 6.83-inch AMOLED display is great for gaming—spacious, sharp details. But yeah, this size also means the phone will feel large in hand and make your pants pockets bulge.

What Makes the Poco X8 Pro Max Different

8500 mAh Battery: A Real Game Changer

An 8500 mAh capacity is a jaw-dropping number. The average gaming phone in this class only has 5000-6000 mAh. The Poco X8 Pro Max offers 40-70% more. In simple terms: you can add 3-5 hours of screen-on time for intensive gaming.

Imagine this: playing Genshin Impact for hours without thinking about outlets. Commuting from morning to night, phone still alive. Traveling all day, no need to carry a power bank the size of a brick. For gamers or heavy users who are often mobile, this eliminates the battery anxiety that's usually a daily ghost.

The fiberglass material helps maintain balance between capacity and portability. That said, honestly—this phone is still heavier and thicker than average. There's a trade-off that must be accepted.

Dimensity 9500S Performance: No Joke

The Dimensity 9500S chipset brings enough performance to handle AAA mobile games. An AnTuTu score of 2.8 million means maximum settings aren't just a dream. Early reviews say gaming on high settings is smooth without annoying lag or stutter.

What needs to be watched: heat. Flagship chipsets are like race cars—fast but generate more heat. Combined with a massive battery that also releases heat during discharge, thermal management becomes crucial. Reviews mention potential heat during intensive gaming, though there's no detailed data on how severe the throttling is.

Interesting additional features: ultrasonic fingerprint (not optical like the standard X8 Pro). Response is faster, important for quick unlocking during gaming. eSIM support is also a plus for connectivity flexibility—a feature absent in the standard variant.

Compromises to Accept

Camera: Adequate, But Not a Champion

The Poco X8 Pro Max uses a Litia 600 50MP sensor with OIS, different from the Poco X8 Pro which uses Sony IMX. Reviews say photo results are slightly better in low light conditions, but this still isn't a phone for serious mobile photographers.

Video recording still has jitter—a stabilization issue that's really annoying for content creators or those who frequently record videos. If camera is a high priority, there are other options in the similar price range with more proven sensors.

The Poco X8 Pro Max's focus is clear: gaming and battery life. The camera here is more like a complementary feature that's "good enough" for daily needs, not for showing off on Instagram.

Physical Size: Big is Not Always Beautiful

A 6.83-inch display plus 8500 mAh battery results in dimensions that are… well, large. This phone will feel jumbo in hand, heavy in pockets, and most likely uncomfortable for one-handed use. For those with small hands or who like compact phones, this could be a deal breaker.

The extra weight is also felt during extended landscape gaming. Hands can get tired. Although fiberglass material helps, there's still a price to pay for battery capacity this large.

Software: Ad-Free or Just a Honeymoon?

Early reviews say there are no ads in the system—something surprising for Poco/Xiaomi phones that are usually full of ads everywhere. But this is called a "temporary" condition and could change through software updates later.

This uncertainty needs to be a serious consideration. If ads appear through updates, user experience could drop drastically. Poco hasn't given a clear commitment whether the X8 Pro Max will remain ad-free or if this is just an initial strategy to attract buyers.

Who Should Use the Poco X8 Pro Max?

Perfect for:

• Marathon gamers who often play 4+ hours daily without regular charger access
• Heavy users: streaming, browsing, gaming mixed throughout the day
• Commuters and travelers who need a phone that lasts all day without a power bank
• Budget-conscious gamers who want flagship performance but have limited wallets

Not suitable for:

• Mobile photographers who prioritize camera and video quality
• Compact phone users who want a slim and light device
• Those sensitive to ads given the uncertainty of future ad policies

Main trade-off: Get extreme battery life and high performance, but must accept large size, standard camera, and potential thermal issues during intensive gaming.

Alternatives in the Same Class

• POCO F6 Pro (Rp 6.5-7 million): More focused performance, more premium design, but standard 5000 mAh battery
• Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (Rp 5.5-6 million): Better camera with 200MP sensor, but lower chipset (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2)
• Realme GT Neo 6 (Rp 6-7 million): Similar performance, faster charging, but smaller battery
• iQOO Z9 Pro (Rp 5.5-6.5 million): Better performance-camera balance, but standard battery

Verdict: Buy or Skip?

Buy if you're a mobile gamer who's often frustrated by battery draining mid-session, or a heavy user who needs a phone that lasts all day without a charger. The combination of 8500 mAh battery with Dimensity 9500S is extremely hard to find in competitors at similar prices.

Skip if you prioritize camera quality, want a compact and light phone, or are very sensitive to potential system ads. There are other options that are more balanced in those aspects.

The Rp 600,000 discount during first sale brings the effective price down to Rp 6,099,000 for the 12/256GB variant—a very attractive value proposition. But stock is limited, so if interested, act fast.

FAQ

Can the Poco X8 Pro Max handle heavy gaming like Genshin Impact?

Absolutely. The Dimensity 9500S with an AnTuTu score of 2.8 million is sufficient to run Genshin Impact on high settings with stable frame rates. Just need to watch for potential heat if playing intensively for more than 1-2 hours.

How long does the 8500 mAh battery last for gaming?

There's no specific data from long-term testing yet, but theoretically a battery 40-70% larger than average can add 3-5 hours of screen-on time for intensive gaming compared to competitors.

Is the size too large for daily use?

The 6.83-inch display and massive battery make this phone feel large and heavy. If you're used to compact phones or have small hands, this size might be uncomfortable for one-handed use or extended gaming.

How does the camera quality compare to the Poco X8 Pro?

The Poco X8 Pro Max uses the Litia 600 sensor, different from the Sony IMX in the X8 Pro. Photo results are slightly better in low light, but video still has jitter. Camera isn't this phone's main strength.

Will there be ads in the system like other Xiaomi phones?

During early reviews there were no ads, but this is called a "temporary" condition. Poco hasn't committed whether the X8 Pro Max will remain ad-free or if ads will appear through software updates later.

---

---

Conclusion

The Poco X8 Pro Max is the answer for gamers and heavy users tired of battery anxiety. The 8500 mAh battery provides freedom rarely found in mid-range gaming phones, while the Dimensity 9500S ensures performance isn't compromised. Starting at Rp 6,699,000 (or Rp 6,099,000 with first sale discount), it offers a value proposition that's hard to refuse—provided you can accept the trade-offs in camera and physical size. For marathon gamers on a budget, the Poco X8 Pro Max deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Source: Gadgetin