Poco is gearing up to launch its latest budget-friendly 5G smartphone, the Poco M8 5G, in India. The company has started teasing the device, highlighting its 50-megapixel AI camera and confirming its availability on Flipkart. The launch is expected sometime in January 2026, making it one of the first major smartphone releases of the year in India.
The Poco M8 5G is being marketed with the tagline "Designed to Slay," with Poco emphasizing its focus on delivering power and camera capabilities. Teaser images reveal a familiar design with a dual-tone finish, reminiscent of earlier Poco phones like the Poco X7. Leaked press renders showcase the phone in three colors and confirm the presence of a dual rear camera setup.
While Poco hasn't officially revealed the full specifications, several leaks and rumors have provided insights into what to expect. The Poco M8 5G is rumored to feature a 6.77-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Some sources mention a slightly larger 6.88-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the phone is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 SoC. For the global market, the phone may come with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
The camera setup is expected to include a dual-rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and an AI lens. The front camera is rumored to be an 8MP sensor.
The Poco M8 5G is also expected to pack a 5,500mAh battery with 25W fast charging. Some rumors suggest a larger 5520mAh battery with 45W charging. Other expected features include dual-SIM slots with 5G support, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v5.0, NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C charging port. It may also have IP65 ratings for dust and splash resistance. The smartphone will run on Android 15.
The price of the Poco M8 5G in India is expected to start around Rs. 11,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Some sources estimate a price of around Rs. 14,999.
The launch of the Poco M8 5G is strategically timed to capitalize on the holiday shopping season and the growing demand for affordable 5G smartphones in India. The phone will face competition from other major smartphone launches in January 2026, including the Redmi Note 15 5G and Realme 15 Pro series.
The Poco M8 5G is rumored to be a rebranded version of a Redmi phone, a strategy Poco has employed in the past. It could be similar to the Redmi 15C or the Redmi Note 15 5G.
