Stop everything—we finally have a name. While we were expecting the usual incremental upgrades for the upcoming REDMI Turbo 5 (soon to be the global POCO X8 Pro), Xiaomi just dropped a surprise announcement that changes the mid-range landscape entirely.
The device will not use a standard mid-range chip as previously rumored. Instead, today marks the world premiere of the Dimensity 8500-Ultra. Unveiled for the first time just hours ago, this chipset will introduce a “2K full-core architecture,” suggesting MediaTek is bringing its flagship “all-big-core” design philosophy down to the Turbo series.
TL;DR: The Breaking Details
- World First: The REDMI Turbo 5 debuts the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, a never-before-seen chip with flagship architecture.
- Performance Jump: Features a massive 25% GPU boost and a new “Rage Engine” for frame stability.
- Battery King: A confirmed 7560mAh battery (China spec) with 100W charging.
- Global Variant: This device will launch internationally as the POCO X8 Pro.
What is the Dimensity 8500-Ultra?
Until today, most leaks pointed to a Dimensity 8400 series processor. The sudden introduction of the Dimensity 8500-Ultra hints at a massive boost in performance levels. The 2K gear rare full-core architecture hints at MediaTek completely abandoning low-efficiency cores in favor of raw processing power. This processor is coupled with the latest software optimization, which is likely to be named Rage Engine 4.0. The teaser page promises that the system includes frequency modulation for the CPU, GPU, and DDR. The result is a 25% boost in GPU performance with sustained frame rates in games like Genshin Impact.
Is the 7560mAh Battery Real?
Yes, it is. However, there is a catch for the global variant. The Chinese variant of the REDMI Turbo 5 is confirmed to pack a staggering 7560mAh battery inside a slim glass body. The device supports 100W wired charging and 100W PPS. This means you can use almost any fast charger you have lying around. Warning for POCO X8 Pro Buyers: The Chinese variant of the REDMI Turbo 5 packs the “monster” battery, but when the device is released as the POCO X8 Pro, the battery is likely to be toned down to 6000mAh to 6500mAh. This is still a massive battery, but the Chinese variant is a clear winner in the battery life department. The 7560mAh figure is unlikely to be seen outside of China.
Design and Display: No More Plastic?
The “Turbo” series is known to cut corners on the build, but the REDMI Turbo 5 does not. The device has a metal mid-frame and a glass body. The device is full waterproof, which is a rare feature in this segment. The front also includes a 6.59-inch flat display, which is chosen for gamers who want precision without accidental touches, which happen with curved displays. To ensure that things remain cool, there is also a 3D ice circulation cold pump, which has 3x the thermal conductivity of traditional vapor chambers.
What’s Next for Global Users?
The REDMI Turbo 5 is officially launching in China tomorrow, January 29, 2026, at 19:00. And for the rest of us, it’s time to begin our countdown for the POCO X8 Pro. Following their usual pattern, we expect an official announcement in late February or March. If they can keep it affordable with the Dimensity 8500-Ultra, this could very well be the mid-range phone of the year.

Emir Bardakçı


