POCO M8 5G vs Redmi 15C 5G
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The POCO M8 5G edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: POCO M8 5G 83 · Redmi 15C 5G 82 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
The longest-supported budget POCO ever, pairing a light 178g build and a 120Hz AMOLED with an officially confirmed four OS upgrades and six years of security patches.
Pick it if
- ✓ Budget and first-time buyers who want maximum years of safe use per dollar
- ✓ People who value a light phone with a good screen over cameras
- ✓ Parents, students or backup-phone buyers on a tight budget
Skip it if
- ✗ You want strong cameras or fast flagship-style charging
- ✗ You need heavy sustained gaming performance
One of the cheapest current 5G phones that also carries a genuinely long support window — four Android upgrades and security patches into 2031, which almost nothing else at this price offers.
Pick it if
- ✓ First 5G upgrades
- ✓ Long-term budget keepers
- ✓ Long days away from a charger
Skip it if
- ✗ You care about screen sharpness
- ✗ You want a light phone
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The POCO M8 5G's screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, fhd+ (1080 x 2392), 120hz, up to 3200 nits peak.
The POCO M8 5G's Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) is simply the faster chip.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
6,000mAh vs 5,520mAh — the Redmi 15C 5G lasts longer between charges.
The POCO M8 5G is supported until Jan 2032 — 4 months longer than the Redmi 15C 5G.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
When will the POCO M8 5G stop getting security updates?
POCO officially confirmed four OS upgrades and six years of security patches for the M8 5G, up from the old two-upgrade, three-year policy for the M series. From its January 2026 launch that means security support to around January 2032 and Android upgrades reaching roughly Android 19. For a phone this cheap, that is one of the longest support commitments in the industry and the headline reason to consider it.
Is the POCO M8 5G worth buying in 2026?
As a low-cost long-life phone it is outstanding value. At roughly $199 with six years of patches, it costs under $3 a month to keep secure, and the 120Hz AMOLED, light build and microSD slot are welcome extras. Just set expectations on the camera and charging, which are basic. If you want an inexpensive phone that stays safe and usable for years, few rivals match it.
Is the Redmi 15C 5G still supported?
Yes, with years to spare. It arrived in September 2025 running Android 15 with HyperOS 2, and Xiaomi's commitment carries security patches to around September 2031. In 2026 it is barely a fifth of the way through its window.
How long will the Redmi 15C 5G get updates?
Xiaomi commits to four major Android upgrades, taking it to roughly Android 19, plus six years of security patches ending around September 2031. That is double the OS support the Redmi 14C received, and notably longer than the plain Redmi 15, which was revised down to two upgrades and four years of patches.
Full spec table
| Spec | POCO M8 5G | Redmi 15C 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $189 | $140 |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (1080 x 2392), 120Hz, up to 3200 nits peak | 6.9-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1600), 120Hz, 810 nits peak |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 5,520 mAh | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired, 18W reverse wired | 33W wired, 10W reverse wired |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main (f/1.8, PDAF) | 50MP main |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.4 mm | 173.2 × 81.1 × 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 178 g | 211 g |
| Water resistance | IP66 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Jan 2032 | Sep 2031 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.