PHONES · REVIEW ROUNDUP
POCO F9 Pro and F9 Ultra: what the reviews say
By S. Dahani and the RealDigitalTech editorial team
Flagship performance, huge batteries and 100 W charging for less than rivals, but reviewers note clear price increases and only four years of updates.
© Xiaomi
Quick Take
Key figures
Launch details
POCO launched the F9 Pro and F9 Ultra globally on 2 September 2026. Both use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a 200 MP main camera and IP68 protection.
| Model | Screen | Battery | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
| POCO F9 Pro | 6.59" AMOLED | 6,330 mAh | $699 / £799 |
| POCO F9 Ultra | 6.9" AMOLED | 8,050 mAh | $799 / £899 / €1,099.99 |
What reviewers agree on
- Performance: "exemplary performance and gaming chops" for TechRadar, with sustained power under load.
- Battery: two to three days of use on the Ultra. TechRadar measured 46 % in 30 minutes and a full charge in 95 minutes.
- Display: a 6.9-inch AMOLED screen up to 185 Hz, rated 5/5 by TechRadar.
- Sound: Android Central calls it "the best onboard sound of any phone today".
- Build: strong build quality and an IP68 rating.
Where opinions differ
| Topic | Favourable view | Reserved view |
|---|---|---|
| Price | TechRadar says it is still well priced for the specs, "for hundreds less than the competition". | Tech Advisor reports increases of £150 (Ultra) and £250 (Pro) in the UK over the previous generation. |
| Cameras | The new 200 MP main sensor takes great photos. | The ultra-wide remains basic, video is "average at best" and limited to 4K at 60 fps. |
| Heat | Performance holds up under load. | Android Central notes overheating while gaming, although improved over the F8. |
| Software | HyperOS 3 on Android 16. | Only four years of Android updates, and it launches without Android 17. |
Score: 4/5 for value from TechRadar.
Verdict
The F9 Ultra delivers flagship performance and exceptional battery life for noticeably less than Samsung or Apple, even after the price increase. It is not the best camera phone, and software support is shorter than on a Pixel or Galaxy. In the UK and Europe, compare prices carefully: the gap with rivals is smaller than before.
This article analyses reviews published by other outlets, in our own words. RealDigitalTech did not test the POCO F9 Pro or F9 Ultra itself.
Sources
How this article was made: our editorial team selected and read the reviews listed above, compared their results and wrote this synthesis, with AI tools assisting the research and drafting. Every figure was checked against the sources, and the article was approved by the publication director. Our AI Disclosure · Our methodology · Report an error: editorial@realdigitaltech.com