The POCO M8 5G is officially set to make its debut in India, and the buzz around this budget-segment contender is reaching a fever pitch. Positioned as a “design-led” smartphone, POCO is moving away from its traditional focus on raw performance alone to offer something that looks and feels premium without the flagship price tag.
Here is everything you need to know about the POCO M8 5G ahead of its official launch.
POCO M8 5G India Launch Date and Availability
POCO has officially confirmed that the POCO M8 5G will launch in India on January 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM IST. As with previous M-series models, the device will be sold exclusively via Flipkart. A dedicated microsite is already live on the e-commerce platform, teasing the “Designed to Slay” campaign and highlighting the phone’s ultra-slim profile.
POCO M8 5G India Expected Price in India
While official pricing will only be revealed on launch day, industry analysts and historical pricing trends suggest the following:
Base Variant (Expected): ₹12,999 to ₹13,999
Top Variant (Expected): ₹15,999
If POCO launches the base variant at an introductory price of ₹11,999 (including bank offers), it could easily become the most competitive 5G smartphone in the sub-₹15K segment.
POCO M8 5G Confirmed & Expected Specifications
1. Design: The “Slimmest POCO Ever”
The standout feature of the M8 5G is its ergonomics. POCO claims this is the slimmest and lightest phone in its segment:
Thickness: 7.35mm
Weight: 178g
Build: Dual-tone rear panel featuring a premium vegan leather and matte finish.
Durability: Confirmed IP66 rating (dust and splash resistance) and SGS MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification for drop resistance.
2. Display: 3D Curved Visuals
For the first time in the M-series, we see a focus on high-end display tech:
Screen: 6.77-inch 3D Curved AMOLED
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Brightness: A staggering 3,200 nits peak brightness.
Bonus: Wet Touch 2.0 technology, allowing you to use the screen even with wet hands.
3. Performance: Snapdragon Power
Under the hood, the POCO M8 5G is confirmed to feature:
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm).
AnTuTu Score: 825,000+ (approx. 83% higher than the POCO M7 5G).
RAM/Storage: Up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM (+8GB virtual RAM) and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage.
4. Camera and Battery
Rear Camera: 50MP AI Dual Camera system housed in a new “squircle” module.
Front Camera: Expected 8MP or 16MP selfie shooter.
Battery: 5,520mAh (standard) or a rumored 6,500mAh (High-capacity variant).
Charging: 45W Fast Charging via USB Type-C.
A New Era for Software Support
In a move that challenges even premium mid-range phones, POCO has announced a major shift in its update policy for the M8 5G:
OS: Ships with Android 15-based HyperOS 2.0.
Updates: 4 Years of Android OS upgrades (up to Android 19).
Security: 6 Years of security patches.
This makes the POCO M8 5G one of the most “future-proof” budget smartphones currently available in India.
Poco M8 5G: Quick Spec Table
| Feature | Details |
| Launch Date | January 8, 2026 |
| Display | 6.77″ 120Hz Curved AMOLED (3200 nits) |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Main Camera | 50MP AI Primary |
| Battery/Charging | 5,520mAh / 45W |
| Software | Android 15 (4+6 Year Update Policy) |
| Availability | Flipkart |
Express Coverage 24 Verdict: The POCO M8 5G isn’t just another budget refresh. With a 3D curved display, MIL-STD durability, and a massive 6-year software commitment, it’s aiming to disrupt the market. If the pricing stays under ₹15,000, it will be the phone to beat this January.
