Poco F7 vs X8 Pro: Which Benchmarks Better?

The Poco F7 outperforms the Poco X8 Pro in most benchmark suites, particularly in CPU-heavy and sustained-load tests, thanks to its higher-tier Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. The X8 Pro, with its Dimensity 7300 Ultra, delivers respectable mid-range scores but trails the F7 by a significant margin in both AnTuTu and Geekbench. Here’s what the numbers actually mean and which phone suits real-world use.

Background: Poco’s Two Tiers

Poco sells two distinct product lines. The F-series is positioned as a performance-first flagship killer, while the X-series targets the upper mid-range with a balance of price and features. This positioning directly explains the benchmark gap: the F7 uses a flagship-class processor, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the X8 Pro uses the Dimensity 7300 Ultra, a chip designed for efficiency and everyday tasks rather than raw speed.

In 2024-2025, Poco refreshed both lines. The F7 (launched in early 2025) and the X8 Pro (launched in late 2024) are close in price in some regions, which makes the benchmark comparison particularly relevant for buyers deciding between the two.

Benchmark Scores: The Numbers

Based on publicly available results from standard benchmark databases (as of mid-2025):

AnTuTu 10: Poco F7 scores roughly 1.5 million; Poco X8 Pro scores around 700,000.
Geekbench 6 (single-core): F7 ≈ 1,900; X8 Pro ≈ 1,000.
Geekbench 6 (multi-core): F7 ≈ 5,400; X8 Pro ≈ 2,900.
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (GPU): F7 ≈ 3,500; X8 Pro ≈ 1,200.

These are representative figures from review units and may vary slightly with software updates and ambient temperature. The F7 leads by roughly 2x in most tests, which is a massive gap for phones that sometimes cost within $50 of each other.

Why the F7 Wins: Chipset and Cooling

The core reason is the SoC (System on Chip). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is built on TSMC’s 4nm process and includes a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at up to 3.0 GHz, alongside three performance cores and four efficiency cores. The Dimensity 7300 Ultra uses two Cortex-A78 performance cores and six A55 efficiency cores, a design that prioritizes battery life over peak performance.

Thermals also play a role. The F7 includes a larger vapor chamber (over 5,000 mm²) which allows sustained performance without throttling. In a 20-minute stress test, the F7 typically retains 85-90% of its peak performance, while the X8 Pro drops to around 70% under the same conditions. This means the F7 not only scores higher in short bursts but also maintains that advantage during long gaming sessions.

Real-World Performance: Gaming and Apps

Benchmarks translate to real benefits in demanding apps. In Genshin Impact at highest settings, the F7 averages 55-60 fps with occasional drops to 45 fps, while the X8 Pro manages 35-40 fps with noticeable stutter in crowded scenes. For PUBG Mobile, the F7 supports 90 fps smooth mode, while the X8 Pro is capped at 60 fps.

For everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and video streaming, both phones feel identical—the X8 Pro’s Dimensity chip is perfectly adequate for 95% of users. The difference appears only when you push the hardware with heavy games, 4K video editing, or multitasking with many background apps.

How to Choose: Which One Is Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do you play graphically intense games? If yes, the F7 is the clear choice.
Do you value battery life over speed? The X8 Pro’s more efficient chip often yields an extra 1-2 hours of screen-on time.
Are you a casual user? The X8 Pro will save you money and still feel smooth.
Do you plan to keep the phone for 3+ years? The F7’s faster chip will age better as apps become more demanding.

If your budget allows, the F7 is the better investment for performance. If you prioritize a lighter phone and longer battery, the X8 Pro is a sensible compromise.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“AnTuTu scores are everything.” They aren’t. AnTuTu measures raw compute, but real-world smoothness depends on software optimization. The X8 Pro runs MIUI (HyperOS) well, and for daily use you won’t notice the gap.

“The X8 Pro is a gaming phone.” It’s not. It can run most games at medium settings, but it’s not designed for sustained high-frame-rate play.

“Benchmarks are fake.” They are reproducible and correlate with real performance, but they don’t measure network speed, display quality, or camera responsiveness.

Another common issue: the F7’s higher performance leads to more heat. Some users report the phone getting warm during heavy use, which is normal but can be uncomfortable in a case. The X8 Pro runs cooler due to its lower power draw.

Alternatives to Consider

If you’re looking at this price range, also consider:

Poco F6 Pro: Older but still faster than the X8 Pro, often discounted.
Redmi Note 14 Pro+: Similar chip to the X8 Pro but with a better camera.
Realme GT 6T: Uses the same Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 as the F7, often with a better display.
Nothing Phone (2a): Mid-range chip but excellent software and unique design.

Each has trade-offs in camera, battery, or price, so compare current street prices before deciding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Poco F7 worth the extra cost over the X8 Pro? If you play heavy games or plan to keep the phone for 3+ years, yes. The F7’s faster chip and better cooling justify a price difference of up to $80. For light users, the X8 Pro is sufficient.

Does the X8 Pro heat up during benchmarks? It warms up but less than the F7. The Dimensity 7300 Ultra is power-efficient, so sustained loads generate less heat. The F7 runs hotter but still within safe limits.

Which phone has better battery life? The X8 Pro generally lasts longer—about 10-15% more screen-on time in mixed usage—because its chip draws less power. The F7’s larger battery (5,000 mAh vs 5,100 mAh) is offset by higher consumption.

Can the X8 Pro run Genshin Impact smoothly? At medium settings, it runs at 40-50 fps, which is playable but not smooth. The F7 runs it at high settings with 55-60 fps. If Genshin is your main game, choose the F7.

Do benchmarks reflect everyday app speed? Only partially. App loading times are similar because storage speed matters more. The F7 has faster UFS 4.0 storage, while the X8 Pro uses UFS 3.1, so large files install quicker on the F7.

Which phone is better for emulation? The F7 is significantly better. PS2 and GameCube emulators run at full speed on the F7, while the X8 Pro struggles with some titles. For retro gaming, the F7 is the clear winner.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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