Hidden gem: This Xiaomi phone for under US$ 300 offers great features

Xiaomi is launching a new affordable smartphone that aims to shake up the mid-range segment from the bottom up. And the Xiaomi Poco X8 does a really good job, considering that it costs less than US$ 350.

Thanks to an 8,340 mAh battery, for example, it offers very long battery life, with the Poco X8 lasting up to 40% longer than similarly priced phones. Then there is the bright display, which is well suited to outdoor use, offers a high resolution and responds very precisely to touch.

Plenty of RAM despite RAMageddon

Despite the memory crisis, you also get a generous 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM, which is no longer a given on current phones. 

These days, you also need to be careful about manufacturers' update promises: If software updates stop after only a short time, you may be forced to buy a new phone. Not so with Xiaomi: Despite the low price, you are promised updates until 2032, as well as five new Android versions. 

What we like less about Xiaomi's operating system is the constant advertising in preinstalled apps and sometimes even directly in the operating system. However, these ads can easily be disabled with the right guide from the internet.

Affordable phone with accurate satellite positioning

Satellite positioning is of course also on board, and the phone performs quite well in our real-world test, even though our position is often shown slightly off the road. Overall, however, the Xiaomi phone can be used for navigation without any issues.

Support for many 5G and 4G bands allows for trouble-free use in other countries, while numerous Bluetooth audio codecs let you connect your audio accessories wirelessly with good sound quality. Unfortunately, the built-in speakers sound a little thin, and Xiaomi could have included a more up-to-date Bluetooth version.

A good deal in the mid-range smartphone segment

Overall, the Xiaomi Poco X8 is a well-equipped mid-range phone for relatively little money. You can find our detailed assessment of the phone in our in-depth review.