POCO F9 Ultra Review: Xiaomi's Premium Flagship Raises the Bar 2026

The POCO F9 Ultra marks a bold shift for Xiaomi's sub-brand, moving away from budget-friendly roots to challenge the premium flagship segment. In our full review, we explore whether this high-end device justifies its price tag and how it stacks up against the competition.

POCO has long been known for delivering exceptional value in the mid-range market. However, the F9 Ultra signals a new direction, aiming squarely at enthusiasts who demand the best and are willing to pay for it. After using it as a daily driver, it's clear that POCO has crafted a device that competes with the very best.

Design and Display: Premium Look and Feel

The POCO F9 Ultra doesn't shy away from its premium ambitions. It features a sleek design with high-quality materials that rival more established flagship brands. The phone is not excessively large, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand, a rarity among today's big-screen phones.

The display is vibrant and responsive, perfect for media consumption and gaming. Whether you're watching videos or scrolling through social media, the visuals are sharp and colors pop. The high refresh rate ensures smooth animations, enhancing the overall user experience.

Performance: Flagship Power Without Compromise

Under the hood, the POCO F9 Ultra is a beast. It's equipped with the latest high-end processor and ample RAM, ensuring that even the most demanding tasks are handled with ease. Gaming is a breeze, with no lag or stutter, and multitasking is seamless.

In our testing, the phone handled everything from intensive gaming sessions to heavy productivity tasks without breaking a sweat. The hardware is truly top-tier, comparable to devices that cost significantly more.

Battery Life: Endurance That Impresses

Battery life is another strong point. The POCO F9 Ultra easily lasts through multiple days of moderate use, and even with heavy usage, it makes it through a full day with juice to spare. Fast charging support means you can quickly top up when needed.

Camera: Capable Performer

The camera system on the POCO F9 Ultra is no slouch. It captures detailed photos with accurate colors in good lighting, and performs admirably in low light as well. While it may not have the brand recognition of some competitors, the results speak for themselves.

For everyday photography, the F9 Ultra delivers consistent and pleasing images. Portrait mode, night mode, and video recording all work well, making it a versatile tool for capturing memories.

Software and Features: MIUI for POCO

The phone runs on Xiaomi's MIUI for POCO, which offers a clean and customizable interface. It comes with a host of features and optimizations tailored for performance. Regular updates ensure security and new functionalities.

While some might prefer a more stock Android experience, MIUI has evolved to be quite user-friendly, and the POCO version includes useful additions like game turbo mode and enhanced privacy controls.

Price and Value: The Main Hurdle

The biggest talking point is the price. At over a thousand euros, the POCO F9 Ultra enters a crowded premium market. While the hardware justifies the cost to some extent, POCO's brand perception may make it a tough sell for some.

However, POCO phones often see discounts during sales events, making them more attractive. If you can wait for a deal, the F9 Ultra becomes a much more compelling proposition.

• Premium build and design that rivals top flagships.
• Powerful performance for gaming and productivity.
• Excellent battery life with fast charging.
• Capable camera system for everyday use.
• High price tag may deter budget-conscious buyers.

Comparison with Competitors

To put the POCO F9 Ultra's specs into perspective, here's how it stacks up against other premium devices:

As seen, the POCO F9 Ultra holds its own against more expensive rivals, often offering better specs for less money.

Who Should Buy the POCO F9 Ultra?

This phone is for those who want flagship performance without paying flagship prices from established brands. It's ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who values long battery life and a great display.

If you're on a tighter budget, consider waiting for a sale or looking at POCO's other models. But if you want the best POCO has to offer, the F9 Ultra delivers.

Final Verdict

The POCO F9 Ultra is a statement from Xiaomi: POCO is no longer just the budget alternative; it's a serious contender in the premium space. It succeeds in delivering top-tier hardware and performance, though the price may give some pause.

For those who prioritize performance and battery life over brand prestige, the F9 Ultra is a worthy choice. And with frequent discounts, it becomes an even sweeter deal.

If you're considering the POCO F9 Ultra, you might also be interested in the POCO F9 Ultra deal where the 16GB RAM model drops to a record low price. That's a significant saving for a flagship device.

Alternatively, if battery life is your top priority, check out the Xiaomi POCO X8 deal which offers a massive 8,340 mAh battery at a lower price point. Anyone following the wider picture can start with New Amazon Kindle vs Previous Generation: Is It Worth the Upgrade.

For the latest leaks on the Chinese variant, see our coverage of the POCO F9 Ultra (Redmi K100 Pro) cameras and specs. It's interesting to see how the global model compares. The background to this story is set out in Xiaomi 17T Pro Deal: Flagship Camera Phone at Mid-Range Price. A related thread runs through Xiaomi 17 Ultra Deal: Save Big on the Ultimate Camera Phone.

And if you're looking for the absolute best camera phone, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads the pack in 2026, according to our latest rankings. The POCO F9 Ultra is no slouch, but the 17 Ultra sets a high bar. Earlier coverage in AliExpress Brand Day Deals: Save Big on Xiaomi, Samsung, Realme Phones shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Xiaomi Tag: Coming to compete with AirTags with a hell of a price!.