Poco F9 Ultra review

Introduction

Poco may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of true flagships, but the brand’s F series has been quietly delivering strong “flagship-killer” phones since the original F1 in 2018. Over the years, Poco has kept pushing the formula further with GT, Pro, and now Ultra models. The Poco F9 Ultra is the latest addition to that lineup, and it’s the phone we’re reviewing today on GadgetXpedia.

These Ultra models aren’t exactly budget devices anymore. Smartphone prices have climbed across the board, and even so-called value flagships have now crossed the €1,000 mark in some markets. Last year’s F8 Ultra started at around €829 for the 12GB + 256GB version, so the jump in price this year is noticeable, even if promotions and early deals may soften the blow a bit.

Poco F9 Ultra – Specs at a Glance

• Body: 163.5 × 77.9 × 8.7 mm, 235g; Gorilla Glass 7i front, aluminum frame, glass-fiber reinforced plastic back; IP68 rating
• Display: 6.90-inch AMOLED, 185Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, up to 10,000 nits peak brightness, 1200 × 2608 resolution
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm)
• Memory: 12GB + 256GB / 16GB + 512GB / 16GB + 1TB options with UFS 4.1 storage
• Software: HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, with up to 4 major OS updates
• Rear Cameras: 200MP main (OIS), 50MP 5x telephoto (OIS), 50MP ultrawide
• Front Camera: 32MP
• Video: Up to 8K@30fps rear, 4K@30fps front
• Battery: 8,050mAh with 100W wired, 50W wireless, and reverse charging support
• Other: Under-display ultrasonic fingerprint, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, infrared, and a unique 2.1 Bose speaker setup with a dedicated subwoofer

On paper, the F9 Ultra looks like a proper flagship. It uses one of the most powerful chipsets available right now, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and doesn’t cut too many corners elsewhere. What makes it more interesting are a few standout features that go beyond the usual checklist.

The 6.9-inch display is extremely bright and runs at 185Hz. Poco also claims this is the global debut of its M11-generation OLED panel, with a dedicated display chip for smoother motion and better clarity. Another highlight is the Bose partnership. The phone has dual stereo speakers plus a separate subwoofer on the back, creating a 2.1 sound system that still feels rare in the smartphone space (the previous F8 Ultra had something similar).

Then there’s the battery. At 8,050mAh, this is the largest capacity Poco has ever put in an F-series phone. Despite the big capacity, the phone stays relatively manageable in size thanks to silicon-carbon battery tech. Charging is equally strong — 100W wired and 50W wireless, along with reverse charging support.

Overall, the F9 Ultra looks like a serious all-rounder on paper. Before we dig into real-world performance, design, cameras, and battery life, let’s quickly look at what’s inside the box.

Unboxing

Poco doesn’t go overboard with packaging, and that’s a good thing. The box is a simple two-piece design with the brand’s signature yellow on the inside and matching accents on the black outer sleeve. It feels solid enough to protect the phone during shipping.

As expected with most European units now, there’s no charger in the box. You do get a USB-A to USB-C cable (Poco’s orange-tipped version, designed for high-wattage Xiaomi chargers) and a thick, transparent hard case. The case is a welcome inclusion, especially at this price point.