POCO F8 Ultra Global Launch on November 26, 2025
POCO F8 Ultra: The Flagship Killer Returns – Global Launch on November 26, 2025, with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Massive Battery.
POCO F8 Ultra Global Launch on November 26, 2025
Just days away from its official global debut, the POCO F8 Ultra is shaping up to be POCO's most ambitious "flagship killer" yet. Set to launch on November 26, 2025, at a star-studded event in Bali, Indonesia (live-streamed at 1:30 PM IST), this beast is rumored to be a global rebrand of Xiaomi's China-exclusive Redmi K90 Pro Max, packing the freshly unveiled Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 6.9-inch 1.5K OLED display, and a battery that could hit 7,560mAh – all for an India starting price of around ₹41,999.
Teased as a performance powerhouse with Bose-tuned audio and IP69 durability, the F8 Ultra (alongside the F8 Pro) promises to challenge the likes of the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S26 in the sub-₹50,000 segment.
While POCO hasn't spilled all the beans, consistent leaks from Geekbench, certification sites, and tipsters paint a picture of a phone that's equal parts gamer's dream and daily driver. With the launch mere hours away (November 26 is Wednesday), here's everything we know – and what to watch for.
Rumored Specifications: Power-Packed and Future-Proof
Based on benchmarks and filings, the F8 Ultra is geared for 2026's AI-heavy workloads, with up to 16GB RAM and UFS 4.1 storage ensuring buttery multitasking.
It's expected to ship with Android 16 under Xiaomi HyperOS 3, promising 4+ years of OS updates.
Specification Detail
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (octa-core, up to 3.63GHz) Display 6.9-inch 1.5K (1200 x 2608) OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, LTPO tech
RAM: Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage: Up to 512GB UFS 4.1 (no 1TB globally; non-expandable)
Rear Camera: Triple 50MP (main + ultrawide + periscope telephoto, OIS on main/tele)
Front Camera: 32MP selfie shooter Battery 6,500–7,560mAh (possibly downsized from Redmi's 7,560mAh for global slimmer profile)
Charging: 100W wired, 50W wireless
OS: Android 16-based Xiaomi HyperOS 3
Dimensions: ~160 x 75 x 8.5mm (est.), metal frame
Performance Teasers: A recent Geekbench run clocked the F8 Ultra at 3,327 single-core and 9,872 multi-core scores – trouncing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's ~2,200/7,000 and rivaling upcoming flagships.
Expect vapor chamber cooling for sustained gaming sessions on titles like Genshin Impact at max settings.
Design and Features: Premium Build with Bose Boom
The F8 Ultra's design echoes the Redmi K90 Pro Max but with POCO's sporty tweaks: A flat-edged metal frame for better grip, a large camera island in a squircle module, and vibrant color options like Hyper Blue or Stealth Black. Durability is flagship-level with IP68/IP69 dust/water resistance – surviving high-pressure jets and submersion.
Audio Upgrade: POCO's confirmed Bose "Mobile Acoustics" partnership hints at a 2.1 speaker setup (stereo + subwoofer-like bass enhancement) for immersive Netflix binges or PUBG soundscapes – a first for the F-series.
Other Highlights:
- Ultrasonic In-Screen Fingerprint: Faster and more reliable than optical sensors.
- Connectivity: 5G (sub-6GHz/mmWave), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC (global variant).
- Extras: IR blaster, X-axis haptic motor, and AI features like real-time translation in HyperOS 3.
It's positioned for gamers and creators, with a display that's HDR10+ certified and Dolby Vision support for vivid visuals.
Launch Event and Availability: Bali Bound on November 26
The global launch on November 26 at 4 PM GMT (1:30 PM IST) in Bali will showcase the F8 Pro (likely Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6.59-inch display) and F8 Ultra side-by-side, with live demos of the chipset's AI prowess.
Expect India availability shortly after, via Flipkart and POCO stores, with early bird deals.
India Pricing (Expected):
- 12GB + 256GB: ₹41,999
- 16GB + 512GB: ₹46,999–₹49,999
On-road prices in India could hit ₹48,000–₹55,000 after taxes. No microSD slot, but trade-in offers might sweeten the deal.
Why the POCO F8 Ultra Could Dominate India in 2026
In a market flooded with ₹30,000 mid-rangers, the F8 Ultra's combo of Gen 5 Snapdragon muscle, marathon battery life, and Bose audio at under ₹45K screams value.
It's a step up from the F6's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, targeting power users who game hard but hate charging daily.
Drawbacks? Camera might lag behind Pixels in low-light, and the massive battery could mean a chunkier build.
Tune in on November 26; this could be POCO's biggest hit since the F1.
POCO F8 Pro vs POCO F8 Ultra: Which 2026 Flagship Killer Should You Pick? Full Specs Comparison Ahead of November 26 Launch
ith the global launch of the POCO F8 Pro and POCO F8 Ultra just nine days away on November 26 in Bali, Indonesia, excitement is building for POCO's next-gen duo.
Both are rumored rebrands of Xiaomi's Redmi K90 series (Pro for the K90, Ultra for the K90 Pro Max), powered by the bleeding-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
But while they share DNA, the Ultra edges ahead in battery life, camera zoom, and audio, justifying a ~₹12,000 premium over the Pro's expected ₹44,999 starting price in India.
These "flagship killers" target gamers, creators, and power users, promising AI smarts via HyperOS 3 on Android 16, Bose-tuned sound, and IP69 durability.
The Pro is the value champ for most, while the Ultra's extras shine for heavy users.
Based on the latest leaks from Geekbench, certifications, and tipsters like Kacper Skrzypek, here's a head-to-head breakdown.
(Note: Final specs drop on launch day—tune in at 1:30 PM IST via POCO's YouTube.)
Head-to-Head Specs Comparison
| Feature | POCO F8 Pro | POCO F8 Ultra | Winner / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (octa‑core, up to 4.61GHz) | Same | Tie – Both crush with ~3,300 single‑core / 9,800+ multi‑core Geekbench scores |
| RAM / Storage | 12GB LPDDR5X / 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.1 | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X / 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.1 (no 1TB global) | Ultra – Extra RAM for multitasking beasts |
| Display | 6.59‑inch 1.5K (1156x2510) OLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3,500 nits peak, 2,560Hz PWM | 6.9‑inch 1.5K (1200x2608) OLED, 120Hz LTPO, 3,500 nits peak, 2,560Hz PWM | Ultra – Bigger canvas for movies/gaming |
| Rear Camera | Triple: 50MP main (OIS) + 8MP ultrawide + 50MP telephoto (2.5x optical zoom) | Triple: 50MP main (OIS) + 50MP ultrawide + 50MP periscope telephoto (5x optical zoom) | Ultra – Superior zoom for portraits/wildlife |
| Front Camera | 20MP | 32MP | Ultra – Sharper selfies |
| Battery | 6,210mAh with 100W wired | 6,500mAh (up to 7,000mAh rumored) with 100W wired + 50W wireless | Ultra – All‑day+ endurance; wireless a bonus |
| Audio | Stereo speakers (Bose‑tuned) | 2.1‑channel stereo (Bose‑tuned with rear woofer) | Ultra – Immersive with dedicated bass |
| Build / Durability | Metal frame, IP68 | Metal frame, IP68/IP69 | Ultra – Tank‑like water/jet resistance |
| Other Features | Ultrasonic fingerprint, IR blaster, Wi‑Fi 7, NFC | Same + potential AI extras (e.g., real‑time translation) | Tie – Both run HyperOS 3 on Android 16 |
| Dimensions / Weight | ~160 x 75 x 8.5mm, ~210g (est.) | ~162 x 76 x 8.6mm, ~220g (est.) | Pro – Slightly more pocketable |
| India Price (Est.) | ₹44,999 (12GB/256GB) to ₹49,999 (12GB/512GB) | ₹56,999 (12GB/256GB) to ₹62,999 (16GB/512GB) | Pro |
Performance and Everyday Use: Neck-and-Neck Powerhouses
Both phones leverage the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5's Oryon CPU and Adreno 830 GPU for silky 120fps gaming and AI tasks like photo editing. Early benchmarks show the Pro slightly edging multi-core scores (up 10% over rivals like RedMagic Astra), but expect parity post-optimization.
The Ultra's extra RAM suits heavy multitaskers (e.g., 20+ Chrome tabs + BGMI), while the Pro's slimmer battery/profile (6,210mAh vs 6,500mAh) means marginally faster charging but shorter screen-on time.
In India, where heat is a killer, both should handle 45°C summers with vapor chamber cooling, but the Ultra's IP69 rating laughs off monsoons better than the Pro's IP68.
Camera Showdown: Ultra Zooms Ahead
The Pro's 2.5x telephoto is solid for portraits, but the Ultra's 5x periscope crushes it for distant shots (think concerts or safaris). Both mains (50MP Sony IMX906?) deliver vibrant daylight snaps with OIS, and ultrawides handle landscapes well—though the Pro's 8MP unit lags the Ultra's 50MP.
Selfies? Ultra's 32MP wins for detail.
Video: 8K@24fps on both, but Ultra's zoom stabilizes better.
For Indian creators (Instagram Reels, YouTube), the Ultra's versatility justifies the splurge; casual shooters will love the Pro's simplicity.
Battery and Charging: Ultra Endures Longer
Expect 8–10 hours SOT on the Pro (6,210mAh) and 10–12 hours on the Ultra (6,500mAh+), with 100W wired zipping to full in ~25 mins.
The Ultra's wireless (50W) is a luxury for desk warriors, but neither supports reverse charging yet.
Design, Audio, and Software: Premium Polish
Both rock metal frames and Bose "Mobile Acoustics" – but the Ultra's 2.1 setup (with rear woofer) delivers deeper bass for movies, edging the Pro's stereo pair.
HyperOS 3 brings AI goodies like gesture controls and 4 years of updates on both.
Colors: Pro in Denim Blue/Black; Ultra adds Hyper Blue.
Price and Availability in India: Pro for Budget Kings, Ultra for Maxers
- F8 Pro: ₹44,999–₹49,999; Available Q1 2026 via Flipkart/POCO stores; Early bird ~₹42,000.
- F8 Ultra: ₹56,999–₹62,999; Same timeline; No 1TB to keep costs down globally.
On-road in India: Add ~₹4,000–5,000 for taxes/insurance.
Verdict: Pro for Most, Ultra if You Need the Edge
The F8 Pro wins for 80% of buyers—insane performance, solid cameras, and value at under ₹45K, perfect for upgrading from F6 or OnePlus 12R. Go Ultra if battery marathons, zoom mastery, and bass-heavy audio are must-haves (e.g., travelers or audiophiles).
At launch, expect flash sales and EMIs starting ₹2,500/month.
Which one's your pick? Drop thoughts below—