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Xiaomi’s sub-brand Poco is preparing to launch its next global flagships the Poco F8 Ultra and Poco F8 Pro which will reportedly be rebranded versions of the Redmi K90 Pro Max and K90 Pro launched in China. However, a new leak suggests that while the Poco F8 lineup will carry the same design and performance features, both phones will have smaller batteries compared to their Redmi equivalents.
Redmi K90 and Poco F8 Same DNA, Different Power
For years, Xiaomi has maintained a clear strategy debuting its Redmi K series in China and later rebranding them globally as Poco F series models. This approach allows Poco to deliver flagship-level specifications at competitive prices while catering to international markets.
According to the latest leak from reliable source Kacper Skrzypek, who examined the HyperOS source code, the Poco F8 Ultra and Poco F8 Pro will feature smaller battery capacities than the Redmi K90 series.
Battery Comparison Between Redmi and Poco Models
The Redmi K90 Pro was launched in China with a 7100mAh battery, while the more advanced Redmi K90 Pro Max boasted an enormous 7560mAh battery — one of the largest ever in a premium smartphone.
In contrast, the leaked specs show that the global Poco variants will have:
- Poco F8 Pro: 6210mAh battery
- Poco F8 Ultra: 6500mAh battery
This marks a noticeable downgrade of 900mAh 1000mAh compared to their Chinese counterparts.
Why the Battery Reduction?
The most likely explanation for this difference lies in global certification and regulatory constraints. International smartphone variants often need to meet stricter safety, weight, and thermal regulations, which sometimes forces manufacturers to adjust hardware specifications particularly battery size.
Additionally, the Poco F8 series may need to accommodate different antennas, network bands, and cooling systems for global markets, all of which could slightly reduce internal battery space.
Power and Performance Still Impressive
Despite the smaller batteries, the Poco F8 lineup will still deliver top-tier flagship performance. The F8 Pro is rumored to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the F8 Ultra could feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Qualcomm’s most advanced chip to date.
Both devices are expected to run HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, ensuring a smooth and optimized experience for global users.
Display and Design Details
Early reports suggest that the Poco F8 Pro will feature a 6.59-inch OLED display, while the Poco F8 Ultra could sport a massive 6.9-inch 2K OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. This would make the Ultra one of the largest and most premium Poco phones ever released.
While no official teasers have been released yet, the leak aligns with Xiaomi’s typical strategy of launching Poco’s global rebrands a few months after the Redmi K series goes official in China.
A Slight Setback or Smart Optimization?
Although the battery downgrade might disappoint power users, it’s important to note that Xiaomi often compensates with faster charging technology and power-efficient chipsets. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is known for its excellent energy optimization, which could balance out the smaller battery size and still provide full-day endurance.
Moreover, Xiaomi’s use of silicon-carbon battery cells in some recent flagships hints that the Poco F8 Ultra and F8 Pro could still deliver excellent performance and long-term reliability, even with smaller capacities.
Final Thoughts
The Poco F8 Ultra and F8 Pro are shaping up to be two of the most powerful global smartphones in Xiaomi’s 2025 lineup. While they may trail behind the Redmi K90 series in terms of battery capacity, they are expected to match them in performance, design, and overall experience.
As Xiaomi gears up for their global unveiling, all eyes are on how the brand will market these phones to balance battery efficiency with next-gen flagship power.
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