I never get tired of looking at Xiaomi phones. They have foldables, enormous one-inch Sony sensors that produce images with remarkable depth, and now leaks of the POCO X8 Pro point to a phone that might feature one of the largest batteries ever in a popular smartphone. The Redmi Turbo 5 will soon be available in China, and there will be some surprises along the road.
Although Xiaomi’s decision to challenge Tesla in the electric vehicle business sounds crazy (I’m also intrigued), the smartphone market is as fascinating. Xiaomi is adopting a different strategy, despite predictions that the average cost of smartphones in the US will rise between 2023 and 2028. Strong performance at a reasonable price could make the POCO X8 Pro stand out. Naturally, there is a catch, just as with anything worthwhile.
According to leaks, Xiaomi is getting ready to release the Redmi Turbo 5 for the Chinese market in November. Around January, the device will be released internationally under the name POCO X8 Pro.
The new model should be close to the Turbo 4’s launch price of CN¥1,999 ($280) for the 12 GB + 256 GB configuration. Even with some new features, I would still wager on a pricing close to $280, which is where Xiaomi usually outperforms the competition.
According to Digital Chat Station, the POCO X8 Pro will include a metal mid-frame, which is a significant improvement above its predecessor’s plastic construction. The phone appears sharper because to the elegant, contemporary punch-hole screen design.
The Redmi Turbo 5 boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a sharp pixel density of 446 ppi and a resolution of 1220 x 2712. The 120 Hz refresh rate makes images pop and scrolling seem fluid. The Turbo 5’s 4,000 nits peak brightness, which makes the screen easy to view even in direct sunlight, is what makes it unique. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, in contrast, can reach 3,000 nits outside.
POCO X8 Pro performance
According to Smart Pikachu, MediaTek’s Dimensity 8500 Ultra processor could power the Turbo 5. The 9500e and 8500 chips from MediaTek are anticipated to be released by January. With speeds of up to 3.73 GHz, the 9500e is unique. One Cortex-X925, three Cortex-X4, and four Cortex-A720 cores are mixed together in its CPU. Therefore, the Dimensity 8500 tends toward balance, whilst the 9500e concentrates on raw power. It has eight high-performance cores built on ARM’s new A725 architecture and employs TSMC’s 4nm technology.
The Turbo 5 will join the OPPO Reno 15 Pro, HONOR Power 2, and Realme Neo 8, which are all said to have the same MediaTek chip, if Xiaomi decides to go with the Dimensity 8500 Ultra.
Battery
With the HONOR X70 reaching 8,300 mAh in 2025, smartphone manufacturers have been pushing battery sizes to new limits. Furthermore, it appears that the next breakthrough might be even more significant.
According to a different rumor from Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi intends to include a 9,000 mAh battery in one of its next phones. The Weibo tipster claims that the single-cell silicon battery is prepared for manufacturing.
It’s unknown which model will receive this enormous battery. The 9,000 mAh option may go to a Pro or Pro Max model because some sources indicate a base 7,500 mAh version. The stakes are further raised by the fact that the enigmatic phone will feature 100 W fast charging.
However, I don’t think the same battery will be available in areas outside of China for the Redmi Turbo 5 series. Larger silicon-carbon mobile phones often have lower capacity in the US and Europe. Thus, be mindful of your expectations.
Strict regulations are the reason why Apple and Samsung don’t sell large batteries. For example, US government regulations (49 CFR 173.185) limit the size of lithium-ion batteries used in phones to 20 Wh. That explains why I had trouble using the iPhone 15 Pro last week—my battery failed while I was on vacation (thanks to my power bank for getting me to the hotel without any issues).
I’m already figuring out how to get one here if Xiaomi releases the POCO X8 Pro with the same 9,000 mAh battery. Even on my longest days out, I can’t see ever having to worry about running out of battery. It makes me happy to consider carrying a phone that can withstand travel, work, and sporadic browsing sessions. However, if you share my belief that “battery beats slim,” don’t get too enthusiastic just yet because Xiaomi might be cautious outside of China.
