The smartphone world is buzzing after the recent launch of the Xiaomi 17 series in China, and the ripple effects are already being felt in the brand's popular sub-brand, Poco. Fresh leaks suggest that the successor to the well-received Poco F7, aptly named the Poco F8, is already in the works for a global audience, and it promises some significant hardware upgrades that could shake up the mid-range flagship segment.
The information comes from renowned leaker Abhishek Yadav, who has a solid track record with Xiaomi and Poco devices. According to his latest findings, the blueprint for the Poco F8 might be hiding in plain sight, likely as a rebadged version of the upcoming Redmi K90 destined for the Chinese market.
A Familiar Strategy: The Redmi K90 Connection
For those familiar with Poco's strategy, this is a well-trodden path. Poco often takes a high-performing Redmi phone from China, tweaks its software and marketing, and launches it globally under the Poco banner. This was the case with the Poco F7, which was based on the Redmi K80.
This time, Yadav suggests the Redmi K90 will serve as the foundation for the Poco F8. The Redmi K90 and K90 Pro are expected to debut in China before the end of the year, with the Pro model likely snagging Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. For the standard Poco F8, however, Xiaomi is reportedly opting for the powerful (but possibly slightly more affordable) Snapdragon 8 Gen 5. This would be a notable generational leap from the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 that powers the current Poco F7, promising a substantial boost in CPU and GPU performance for gaming and multitasking.
Model Numbers Hint at Global and Indian Variants
Adding weight to the rumours, Yadav has uncovered model numbers that point directly to a global rollout. The Chinese Redmi K90 is listed with the model number 2510DRK44C. Crucially, two other model numbers have been spotted: 2510DRK44G and 2510DRK44I. The 'G' and 'I' suffixes are classic Xiaomi codenames for Global and Indian variants, respectively, strongly indicating that the device will be marketed as the Poco F8 in these regions. Both devices are reportedly developed under the internal codename 'annibale'.
Major Charging Upgrade on the Horizon
One of the most exciting rumours concerns charging speeds. The Poco F7 came with a respectable 90W wired charging solution. The Poco F8, however, is tipped to push that even further, potentially featuring 100W wired charging. This 10W increase (an 11% boost) may seem incremental on paper, but it could translate to even faster top-up times, getting users from zero to a significant battery level in mere minutes. This focus on rapid charging aligns perfectly with Poco's target audience of power users and gamers.
While the core specs are beginning to take shape, the question of an even more powerful model remains. Could we see a Poco F8 Ultra to compete at an even higher level? The possibility is certainly there, and the community is already speculating about what such a device could bring to the table. For the latest on that front, you can check out this detailed speculation on what a Poco F8 Ultra could look like and how it might shatter expectations.
Launch Timeline and Availability
Based on the model number '2510', which often corresponds to an October manufacturing or announcement date, the Redmi K90 could see a Chinese debut as early as next month. This typically means the global Poco F8 launch would follow a few months later, possibly in early 2025.
As with any leak, it's important to treat this information as a strong indication rather than a confirmed fact. For those who want to delve into the source, you can see Abhishek Yadav's original post on X here, where he breaks down the model numbers and specs.
Unfortunately, Xiaomi has not yet provided an official timeline for when the Poco F8 will hit shelves in India or other global markets. For now, enthusiasts can look to the Redmi K90's launch for the first concrete look at the hardware. In the meantime, the current flagship-killer, the Poco F7, remains a compelling option, and you can often find great deals on it, like this offer for the Poco F7 Ultra on Amazon.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Poco F8 as we get closer to its anticipated global launch.
Note: This article is based on rumours and leaks. Specifications, features, and launch dates are subject to change by the manufacturer.
Post a Comment