POCO X8 Pro appears on Geekbench, reveals early performance preview

Highlights
  • POCO X8 Pro is expected to launch soon.
  • The smartphone could be powered by the Dimensity 8500 SoC.
  • It’s tipped to launch as a rebranded Redmi Turbo 5. 

The POCO X8 Pro has surfaced on Geekbench ahead of its official debut, offering an early glimpse at what to expect from POCO’s upcoming performance-focused mid-range launch. The smartphone has already been certified, and now the Geekbench listing suggests its launch is very close. Another phone might be joining the lineup, which is the POCO X8 Pro Max. But first, let’s talk about the POCO X8 Pro.

A prototype of the device appeared in the benchmarking database, posting a single-core score of 1,708 and a multi-core score of 6,297. While benchmark scores don’t tell the full story, they do give us a directional sense of positioning, and this places the POCO X8 Pro comfortably in upper mid-range territory, especially for the multi-core performance.

Dimensity 8500 confirmed

The Geekbench listing confirms that the phone is powered by MediaTek’s recently unveiled Dimensity 8500 SoC. This is notable because POCO’s X Pro series has historically leaned heavily into performance value, delivering near-flagship chipsets at aggressive price points. The smartphone will come with 12GB of RAM, though it’s likely that additional memory configurations will be offered at launch. The listing also confirms Android 16 out of the box, likely layered with Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3.

Previous leaks suggest the POCO X8 Pro could pack a 6,500mAh battery, a capacity that is quite large but might still fall short in front of brands that are increasingly offering 7,000mAh+ phones. Still, the X8 Pro should be able to handle heavy media consumption and gaming easily.

Rumours also suggest the device could be a rebranded Redmi Turbo 5 for international markets. If that turns out to be accurate, the POCO X8 Pro may feature a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with a 1268 x 2756 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 3,840Hz PWM dimming, and up to 3,500 nits peak brightness. The POCO X8 Pro would sport a 50MP primary camera with OIS, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 20MP front camera. While this isn’t an ultra-aggressive camera setup on paper, POCO’s X Pro lineup has typically prioritised performance over camera versatility, keeping the imaging hardware competitive but not class-leading.

POCO carved its identity by delivering high-performance chipsets at prices that undercut competitors. However, the mid-range segment has become increasingly crowded, with brands like iQOO, Realme, and Xiaomi itself aggressively offering a premium experience overall. 

The Dimensity 8500 could help POCO stay competitive, especially if paired with good thermal management and sustained performance tuning. If you prioritise performance and battery life, the POCO X8 Pro is shaping up to be worth watching. However, if photography versatility ranks higher on your checklist, alternatives in the same price bracket may offer more balanced camera systems or slimmer builds.

Ultimately, pricing will determine whether the POCO X8 Pro continues the brand’s legacy of disruptive value or simply joins the crowded upper mid-range race. For now, the Geekbench appearance confirms one thing: the launch is likely closer than ever.