Best Budget Gaming Phones: Poco F8 Ultra, X8 Pro and More

A budget Android smartphone has outperformed Google’s flagship Pixel 10 Pro in independent gaming performance tests, according to a recent benchmark analysis by Notebookcheck.fr. The device, identified as the Poco F8 Ultra, achieved higher frame rates and smoother gameplay across multiple popular mobile titles, challenging assumptions about the performance ceiling of mid-range devices in the Android ecosystem.

The Poco F8 Ultra, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite 5 chipset and equipped with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, recorded an average of 98 frames per second in Genshin Impact at high graphics settings, compared to the Pixel 10 Pro’s 82 FPS under identical conditions. In Call of Duty: Mobile, the Poco device maintained a stable 120 FPS cap, while the Pixel 10 Pro fluctuated between 90 and 105 FPS during extended sessions. Thermal throttling tests showed the Poco F8 Ultra sustained peak performance for 22 minutes before any measurable drop, whereas the Pixel 10 Pro began throttling after just 14 minutes.

These results were obtained using standardized testing protocols in a temperature-controlled environment, with screen brightness set to 50% and battery saver modes disabled. Notebookcheck.fr confirmed that all devices were tested with the latest available software updates and game patches as of April 2026. The outlet emphasized that its gaming benchmarks focus on real-world usability rather than synthetic scores, measuring actual frame consistency and thermal behavior during prolonged gameplay.

The Poco F8 Ultra’s advantage stems from a combination of hardware optimization and software tuning. Xiaomi’s Poco division has prioritized gaming performance in its F-series lineup, integrating a dedicated gaming mode that allocates CPU and GPU resources preferentially to active games while minimizing background processes. The device also features a vapor chamber cooling system and a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, both contributing to sustained visual fluidity.

In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro relies on Google’s Tensor G4 processor, which, while optimized for AI-driven features and computational photography, does not match the raw graphical throughput of Qualcomm’s latest flagship silicon in sustained gaming scenarios. Google’s thermal design, focused on slimness and everyday usability, appears less equipped to handle prolonged GPU loads compared to the Poco’s thicker chassis and active heat dissipation solutions.

Pricing further widens the gap between the two devices. The Poco F8 Ultra is currently available from major retailers in Europe for €649, while the Pixel 10 Pro starts at €1,099 for the base model. This price difference means consumers can obtain superior gaming performance for less than 60% of the cost of Google’s flagship, a factor that may influence purchasing decisions among budget-conscious gamers and students.

Other Xiaomi-backed Poco models have also shown strong value in recent weeks. The Poco M7, listed at €119 on Amazon for a limited time, offers entry-level gaming capability suitable for casual titles, while the Poco X8 Pro, recently discounted to €299 on 01net.com-affiliated platforms, provides a balanced mid-range option with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 performance and a 120Hz display. Meanwhile, the Poco F8 Ultra continues to be highlighted by Presse-citron as a “steal” at its current price point, with the outlet noting its suitability for users seeking flagship-level gaming without flagship pricing.

Independent reviews from PhonAndroid and Les Numériques have corroborated the Poco F8 Ultra’s gaming strengths, citing its responsive touch sampling rate, low input lag, and consistent frame pacing as key advantages in competitive mobile gaming. These outlets have also noted the device’s battery endurance, reporting over 8 hours of mixed use on a single charge, including several hours of gaming.

The broader implication of these results lies in the shifting dynamics of the Android smartphone market. For years, Google’s Pixel line has been positioned as the benchmark for pure Android experience and software excellence, but its hardware has often lagged behind competitors in raw performance, particularly in graphics-intensive use cases. The Poco F8 Ultra’s success suggests that consumers seeking high-performance gaming may find better value in specialized gaming-oriented brands than in traditional flagship lines.

As mobile gaming continues to grow — with global revenues projected to exceed $150 billion annually by 2027, according to Newzoo — performance per euro is becoming a decisive factor in purchasing behavior. Devices like the Poco F8 Ultra demonstrate that high refresh rate displays, advanced cooling, and flagship-tier processors need not be confined to premium price brackets. Whether this trend will pressure Google to reconsider its hardware priorities in future Pixel iterations remains to be seen, but for now, the balance of performance and affordability appears to favor aggressively tuned mid-range devices in the gaming segment.