The Poco F9 Ultra offers a competitive value proposition, priced at £999. This price point significantly undercuts major “Ultra” phones, costing roughly £300 less than the entry-level Galaxy S26 Ultra, while still featuring a 200MP main camera, a substantial battery, and a high refresh rate display.
Upon first glance, the device presents a premium aesthetic, particularly with its Dark Cherry finish. The build quality is rated as solid, utilizing Gorilla Glass Victus 7i on the front and a glass-fibre-infused back. Furthermore, the phone boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
Among its design features is an LED ring light embedded in the camera island near the Bose subwoofer. This light can be set to pulse for notifications or sync with music, though it is limited to a white color and requires locating its setting within the phone’s system.
The display measures 6.9 inches with a resolution of 1200 x 2608. While the headline figure is a 10,000-nit peak brightness (limited to 1% of the screen), the general screen brightness reaches 2,200 nits in high-brightness mode. The key feature is the 185Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and enhanced gaming experiences. The screen is also paired with an impressive audio system.
Audio performance is delivered by three speakers: two stereo units flanking the ends and a dedicated subwoofer on the back, tuned by Bose. The resulting sound is described as loud, rich, and immersive, offering a cinematic experience for media viewing.
The camera hardware is specified as a mixed but capable system, including a 200MP main sensor (shared with the Galaxy S26 Ultra), a 50MP 5x telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. The telephoto lens is noted for its ability to capture sharp images from distant subjects. However, the ultrawide camera was identified as the weakest, and the phone’s image processing is sometimes described as overly soft or painterly, with colors tending to be warm and saturated.
Performance is managed by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, supported by up to 16GB of RAM. The device handles demanding tasks with ease, and gaming performance can reach 120fps. The phone maintains adequate cooling during extended sessions, although it may become slightly warm after approximately 15 minutes of intense gameplay.
The software operates on Xiaomi’s HyperOS. Reviewers noted that while the OS is highly feature-rich and customizable, it can be cluttered and confusing, containing pre-installed bloatware and redundant apps. The battery life is a standout feature, featuring an 8050mAh cell. This capacity allows for theoretically extended usage, with testing showing minimal drain (2%) after streaming an hour of Netflix at 50% brightness. Charging is quick, with a full charge claimed in just 50 minutes using a compatible 100W Xiaomi HyperCharge charger.
Despite the processor being from the previous generation’s model, and the software being somewhat cumbersome, the overall value proposition remains high. The combination of premium design, a brilliant display, strong speakers, flagship performance, and long battery life makes the Poco F9 Ultra a strong contender for users prioritizing bang for their buck.
Source: Trusted Reviews