
POCO has begun teasing its next budget-friendly 5G smartphone, the POCO M8 5G, in India. There’s a dedicated teaser page on Flipkart with the tagline “Designed to Slay”, suggesting that the company is positioning the phone as a performance-driven option for young buyers who want a capable device without stepping into premium pricing. POCO hasn’t revealed the phone’s name, but there’s mention of the POCO M7 Plus 5G, and there have been leaks of the new M8 series.
The teaser also gives us a first look at the rear design. It carries forward POCO’s familiar dual-tone finish. But we’re getting a squircle camera design this time, instead of the circular deco that we saw on the POCO M7. We also got a good look at the POCO M8 series’ designs through an elaborate leak last week. The phone will be available in three colours and will feature a dual-camera setup at the back.
In terms of hardware, the POCO M8 5G is expected to come with a 6.77-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Powering the device could be the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage in global markets. The phone is also said to pack a 5,520mAh battery with 45W fast charging and an IP65 rating for dust and splash resistance. These specifications might seem sufficient for the budget lineup, which is where POCO’s M-series sells. For example, the POCO M7 is priced at Rs 10,500, while the M7 Pro was launched at Rs 14,999.
Based on the details so far, the POCO M8 5G appears to focus on everyday performance, battery life and a smooth display at an affordable price. If POCO manages aggressive pricing, this phone could become a strong pick for students and first-time 5G users who don’t want to stretch their budgets. As the launch is yet to take place, potential buyers should definitely wait for official pricing and full specs before making a decision. Current M-series users might consider this an upgrade if the price is right.
The POCO M8 5G is expected to launch sometime in January 2026, with more details likely to be revealed in the coming days. A POCO M8 Pro 5G is also in the pipeline and may arrive a little later, around February or March.