POVA 8 Pro 5G Review: Big Battery, 144Hz AMOLED and a Funky Design But Does It Justify ₹49,999?

The POVA 8 Pro 5G does not try to blend into the crowd. From its semi-transparent rear panel to the unusual LED display integrated around the camera module, this is a smartphone designed to grab attention before you even turn on its main screen.

Priced at ₹49,999, however, looking different is only part of the job. At this level, buyers expect strong performance, capable cameras, long battery life and polished software alongside premium hardware.

The POVA 8 Pro gets many of those things right, but not without a few compromises.

A Design That Refuses to Look Ordinary

The first thing you notice about the POVA 8 Pro 5G is its “Interstellar Spaceship” design. The semi-transparent rear finish reveals decorative elements underneath, while the triangular camera housing adds to its futuristic appearance.

More interesting is the secondary Active Matrix display, which uses 177 LEDs to show notifications, animations and customisable visual effects.

It is hardly an essential smartphone feature, but it gives the device some personality. It can also provide basic visual alerts without requiring users to repeatedly wake the main display.

Despite housing a substantial battery, the phone measures around 7.39mm thick and weighs 189g, making it relatively manageable in everyday use.

Durability is another area where the device makes an impression, with IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings, alongside an SGS 5-Star drop-resistance rating.

144Hz AMOLED Display Is One of Its Highlights

On the front sits a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display supporting up to a 144Hz refresh rate.

Colours look vibrant, contrast is strong and outdoor visibility is impressive. The display is well suited to watching videos, scrolling through social media and playing games.

The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i and is claimed to reach 4,500 nits peak brightness, with high-brightness mode rated at 1,600 nits.

There is one catch with that headline 144Hz refresh rate. Not every application takes full advantage of it, with several third-party apps operating at up to 120Hz. The full 144Hz experience is largely dependent on supported apps and games.

Even so, the screen remains one of the POVA 8 Pro’s strongest features.

Performance Is Good, But There’s Room for Polish

Powering the phone is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultimate chipset, accompanied by a P1 graphics chip.

Routine activities such as messaging, browsing, social media and switching between applications are generally handled without trouble. However, occasional interface stutters can make the phone feel less polished than expected from a device carrying a high-refresh-rate display.

The inconsistency becomes more noticeable under heavier multitasking, such as rendering content in the background while simultaneously browsing or using other applications.

Gaming performance tells a better story.

In testing, Call of Duty Mobile averaged around 58fps using Very High graphics and the Ultra frame-rate setting, while BGMI averaged roughly 39fps.

Thermal management also holds up well, with the handset avoiding uncomfortable levels of heat during extended gaming sessions.

The underlying hardware is clearly capable, but better software optimisation could make everyday performance feel more consistent.

HiOS 16.3 Brings Plenty of AI Features

The smartphone runs Android 16 with HiOS 16.3, introducing a redesigned interface with frosted-glass visual elements.

Artificial intelligence is woven throughout the software. Features include an AI Assistant for functions such as call recording, transcription and summaries, alongside AI Writing, AI Note and AI Gallery tools.

These additions could prove useful for people who regularly work with calls, notes, photographs and documents.

Long-term software support, however, is less impressive.

The device is promised two major Android upgrades and three years of security updates. At ₹49,999, buyers who plan to keep their smartphone for several years may want to factor that commitment into their decision.

Sony Primary Camera Keeps Things Natural

The POVA 8 Pro features a Sony LYTIA 700C primary camera with OIS, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 13MP selfie camera.

The primary sensor performs well in daylight, producing photographs with generally natural colours rather than aggressively processed results.

High-contrast scenes can occasionally prove challenging, particularly when balancing bright highlights against darker shadows.

The ultra-wide camera provides additional flexibility for landscapes, architecture and group photographs. There is no dedicated telephoto lens, meaning 2x shots rely on digital cropping.

Portrait mode offers convincing subject separation under suitable lighting, while the selfie camera is capable enough for everyday photos and social media.

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Low-light performance is respectable as well. Night mode improves exposure and detail without consistently pushing images towards an overly processed appearance.

Overall, the primary camera is the star of the setup and can produce attractive, ready-to-share photographs in favourable conditions.

6,500mAh Battery Is the Real Star

Battery life is arguably where the POVA 8 Pro 5G makes its strongest case.

Its massive 6,500mAh battery delivered more than seven hours of screen-on time during heavy usage in the supplied testing. Under more typical usage, it can stretch to around a day and a half.

The handset supports 45W fast charging, with a complete 0-100 per cent charge taking approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes in testing.

That is adequate for overnight or routine charging, although the charging time may feel lengthy for users accustomed to much faster charging systems.

A Customisable Button Adds Another Twist

Alongside the LED-equipped rear panel, the phone includes a dedicated One-Tap action button.

Users can assign preferred shortcuts or actions to the button, making frequently accessed functions easier to launch.

Neither the action button nor the Active Matrix display fundamentally changes how a smartphone works, but together they help give the POVA 8 Pro an identity of its own.

POVA 8 Pro 5G: Who Is It For?

The POVA 8 Pro 5G checks many of the right boxes. Its futuristic design stands apart, the 1.5K AMOLED panel looks excellent, gaming performance is capable, the Sony primary camera delivers pleasing results and the 6,500mAh battery offers impressive endurance.

There are compromises. Occasional software stutters prevent the experience from feeling consistently smooth, 144Hz support is not universal, charging could be quicker, and the software-update commitment is relatively modest for a phone costing ₹49,999.

Ultimately, the POVA 8 Pro 5G makes the most sense for buyers who value distinctive design, a high-refresh-rate display, long battery life and gaming-focused hardware. Those prioritising longer software support and consistently polished performance may want to weigh those factors carefully before making a purchase.