The standard POCO X8, which was widely believed to have been cancelled, may finally be making a comeback. After months of speculation that the company would skip the vanilla model and only focus on the Pro variants, fresh leaks and an official teaser now suggest the smartphone is very much alive.
New POCO X series smartphone teaser
POCO has started teasing the arrival of a new X-series smartphone on X. While the company has stopped short of revealing the device’s name, the teaser features a handset in POCO’s signature Yellow finish, strongly hinting that the standard POCO X8 could be next in line. The teaser follows recent certification listings suggesting the handset is in development, adding further weight to reports that its launch may not be too far away.
♾️ Infinity Identity Activated
— POCO (@POCOGlobal) August 12, 2026
Mission Update.
A new route has appeared inside the POCO Infinite Universe.
Only those who move faster than the moment can unlock it.
🟡 POCO X Series
The Spacetime Pilot
eXplore. eXceed. eXpand.
🚀 Would you take this mission? pic.twitter.com/PHNVFeKXUw
The latest development comes after tipster Kacper Skrzypek, who recently revealed details about the POCO M8 Power, claimed to have spotted references to the POCO X8 in HyperOS code. The discovery suggests POCO may not have shelved the device despite earlier reports indicating the standard model had been scrapped.
Earlier this year, POCO introduced the POCO X8 Pro and POCO X8 Pro Max in several global markets, leading many to believe there would be no vanilla X8 this generation. The new teaser and software references now paint a different picture, indicating the lineup could soon become more complete.
POCO X8 specifications (expected)
If recent leaks are accurate, the POCO X8 will be a rebranded version of the Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G, which recently debuted in China. The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, bringing it in line with several premium mid-range devices. Powering the handset could be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset, paired with a massive 9,000mAh battery. If the rumoured capacity proves accurate, the POCO X8 would easily stand out in its segment, where most rivals continue to offer batteries in the 7,000mAh range.
For photography, the handset is tipped to feature an 8MP front camera, a 50MP primary sensor, and a 2MP secondary camera on the rear. Interestingly, reports suggest the global version of the Redmi Note 17 Pro, which could ultimately become the POCO X8 in international markets, may arrive with a slightly different hardware configuration. Instead of the 2MP secondary camera found on the Chinese model, the global variant is tipped to include an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
It is also expected to feature a slightly smaller 8,340mAh battery, while retaining the rest of the specifications. Whether POCO adopts this configuration for the X8 in global markets remains to be seen.
If the leaks turn out to be accurate, the POCO X8 could target buyers looking for exceptional battery life in the mid-range segment. A 9,000mAh battery, combined with a large AMOLED display and a high-refresh-rate panel, would make it a compelling option for users who prioritise endurance for gaming, streaming and daily productivity. Given this is still a tease, potential buyers should wait for official announcements and comprehensive reviews before making any purchasing decisions.
