Top 3 picks
Xiaomi POCO X8 Pro
Why we picked this
Best Overall: The strongest balance of gaming performance, display smoothness, battery life, and storage. It offers a substantial performance step up from the POCO M8 5G while avoiding the larger size and higher cost of the X8 Pro Max, making it the most sensible choice for sustained mobile gaming.
Key Specs
Where to buy
est. £289Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.
POCO M8 5G
Why we picked this
Best Value: The cheapest option and a capable entry point for mobile gaming, with a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, ample RAM, and 256GB storage. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is noticeably slower for demanding games than the other two phones, but it should handle popular competitive titles well at sensible settings.
Key Specs
Where to buy
est. £199Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.
POCO X8 Pro Max
Why we picked this
Premium Pick: The most gaming-focused choice, combining the highest-tier processor here with 12GB of RAM, a large high-refresh-rate display, and the biggest battery. It is better suited to demanding games and long sessions than the other two, although its larger body may be less comfortable to hold.
Key Specs
Where to buy
est. £359Prices change often — check the retailer for the current price.