Poco appears to be preparing a new budget smartphone for launch, and evidence found within the latest HyperOS firmware suggests it could be a rebranded version of the recently announced Redmi Note 17.

References to a device called the Poco M8 Power have been discovered in Xiaomi’s software files. The smartphone carries the model number 26021PC18I, which closely resembles the Redmi Note 17’s Chinese model number, 26021RN18C.

The naming convention offers a strong clue about the relationship between the two devices. In Xiaomi’s model numbering system, “RN” identifies Redmi devices while “PC” is used for Poco smartphones. The final letter indicates the target market, with “C” representing China and “I” denoting India.

Based on these similarities, the Poco M8 Power is expected to launch in India and could arrive as a direct rebrand of the Chinese Redmi Note 17. Xiaomi has frequently reused hardware across its Redmi and Poco lineups, often launching nearly identical devices under different names in various regions.

If the Poco M8 Power follows the specifications of the Chinese Redmi Note 17, it should feature a large 7 inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2396 pixels, a 120Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness of up to 1,800 nits.

Under the hood, the device is expected to be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 4 processor, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage.

For photography, the smartphone would likely include a 50MP primary rear camera and an 8MP front facing camera for selfies and video calls.

One of its standout features could be its massive 8,000mAh battery, which supports 45W wired fast charging. Such a large battery would position the Poco M8 Power among the longest lasting smartphones in its segment.

At this stage, Xiaomi has not officially confirmed the existence of the Poco M8 Power. However, the firmware evidence strongly suggests the device is in development and could be announced in the coming months. More details regarding its launch timeline, pricing, and regional availability are expected to emerge soon.