Xiaomi’s spin-off brand Poco has announced a collaboration with Bose to enhance its new F8 smartphone series, aiming to differentiate its offerings in a competitive market. The F8 Pro and F8 Ultra models both include dual stereo speakers that have been specifically tuned by Bose. The F8 Ultra further distinguishes itself by featuring an additional subwoofer, claimed to provide “deeper, more impactful bass.”
Both F8 models are equipped with the same dual stereo speakers, but the Ultra version only includes the subwoofer. Additionally, Poco has introduced two sound profiles developed by Bose engineers: a Dynamic mode, which enhances bass output, and a Balanced option that focuses on vocal clarity and a more even soundstage.
Nick Smith, president of audio technology and chief strategy officer at Bose, stated that the collaboration merges Bose’s expertise in acoustic engineering with Poco’s design and technology innovation, suggesting a potential improvement in mobile audio quality.
Aside from their audio features, the two F8 phones fit the profile of typical affordable flagship devices. The F8 Ultra is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, boasts a 6.9-inch OLED display, and includes a triple 50-megapixel rear camera system, along with wireless charging capabilities. In contrast, the F8 Pro utilizes the previous generation Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, comes with a smaller 6.59-inch screen, and has downgraded camera specifications. Both models are IP68 rated and are equipped with batteries exceeding 6,000mAh, promising a good battery life.
The F8 Pro is priced starting at $579, while the Ultra begins at $729, though an early bird discount of $50 is available at launch. The phones were unveiled alongside two budget tablets, the Pad X1 and Pad M1, which emphasize high-resolution displays and Dolby Atmos speakers as appealing entertainment options.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/829419/poco-f8-ultra-bose-speakers-stereo-subwoofer