Poco F9 Ultra Review: The $1,250 Phone That Punches Above Its Weight

Michael Bennett · 2026-09-02

The Poco F9 Ultra is a special phone. At a very tempting price. It has an incredible display, up to 185fps gaming performance, the same main camera as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, a triple-speaker system powered by Bose, and a really big battery, all in a device that costs only a little more than the standard Pixel 11. So what’s the catch? ### Key Features - **Review Price:** $1,250 - **High-end audio** - **Sound tuned by Bose** - **Huge battery** - **One of the biggest cells we've seen at 8050mAh** - **Fast screen** - **Can hit 185Hz** ### Design At arm’s length, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Poco F9 Ultra for leaks of the burgundy-colored iPhone 18 Pro Max. In truth, it’s a bit of a refinement and a tweak on last year’s Poco F8 Ultra design. The Dark Cherry finish replaces the divisive blue denim model from the previous generation and, in doing so, gives it a much more luxurious or premium look. There is, of course, the usual black finish if you want that, but no Poco Yellow anywhere to be seen. It’s a pretty hefty phone, which is to be expected from a phone with a huge screen and a huge battery. Still, for context, it weighs just 2 grams more than an iPhone 17 Pro Max at 235g (about 8.3 ounces), and is just marginally thinner and narrower than Apple’s biggest phone. In other words, it’s basically the same size, shape and weight as the Pro Max. Poco’s ability to squeeze so much into that same space as the iPhone is what’s impressive here, then. Where it doesn’t quite meet the standards of more expensive phones is in materials. Rather than Gorilla Glass Ceramic or Victus 2, it uses the slightly less durable Gorilla Glass Victus 7i on the front, and a glass-fibre-infused plastic-like back. ### Performance Under the hood, the Poco F9 Ultra is a beast. The 185Hz display makes scrolling and gaming feel incredibly smooth. Whether you're into fast-paced shooters or just want a responsive everyday experience, this screen delivers. The triple-speaker system tuned by Bose is a standout feature. It produces rich, room-filling sound that's rare in smartphones. Watching movies or listening to music without headphones is actually enjoyable. Battery life is another strong point. The 8050mAh cell is one of the biggest we've seen, easily lasting a full day of heavy use and then some. You won't be hunting for a charger before bedtime. ### Camera The main camera is the same as the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which means you're getting flagship-level photography without the flagship price. In good lighting, photos are detailed and vibrant. Low-light performance is also solid, though it doesn't quite match the very best in class. ### The Catch So what's the catch? It comes down to materials and software. The phone uses less premium glass and a plastic-like back, which might not feel as luxurious as an iPhone or Galaxy. Also, Poco's software skin isn't for everyone—it's a bit busy and takes some getting used to. But if you can look past those minor compromises, the Poco F9 Ultra offers incredible value. It's a phone that gets the essentials right and then some. ### Final Verdict The Poco F9 Ultra is a compelling option for anyone who wants flagship features without paying flagship prices. It's not perfect, but it's a phone that's easy to recommend. **Rating: 4.5/5**