Poco X8 Pro tipped to launch as 2026 mid-range smartphone with 2024 flagship performance

Xiaomi is projected to supplant the Poco X7 Pro that currently starts at $359 on Amazon with what might be an even more cost-effective smartphone thanks to its direct upgrade from the Dimensity 8400 processor to its 8500 successor.

The chipset is now said to be based on TSMC's 4 nanometer process and to achieve scores of 2,000,000 or more on the AnTuTu benchmark thanks to its new "Mali G720" GPU.

Those results are also associated with the version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC found in the former flagship Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: one of the most powerful smartphones on Earth in its heyday (still less than 2 years ago).

The 8500 might make its debut in the Redmi Turbo 5 (the Chinese version of the Poco X8 Pro) in early 2026. The smartphone might also boast a robust IP68 to 69-rated chassis with the metallic mid-frame once reserved for flagships such as the S24 Ultra - not to mention a display that just might hit new mid-range refresh rate highs of 165Hz.

The "Turbo 5" might have to do battle with other devices such as the Oppo Reno15 Pro, the Honor Power 2 and iQoo Z11 Turbo with roughly the same specs, the apparently substantial 8500 included, later in the year.