This is the Poco X6 5G, the younger sibling of the fantastic Poco X6 Pro we previously reviewed. While it may not match the Pro’s power, it shares several key features like the display, camera setup, and charging capabilities. It even comes with a slightly larger 5,100mAh battery.
Of course, it's also cheaper than the X6 Pro with a starting price of 19,999 Rupees, making it a great deal for bargain hunters. There's a lot to talk about, so let’s dive into its performance and overall user experience.
Poco X6 5G: Design & Display
The Poco X6 boasts a visually appealing design with a premium vibe, especially in the glossy black variant. However, the plastic back is very prone to fingerprints.
I mean it was a proper challenge to shoot this phone without any visible smudges. So yea, do use it with a case if that bothers you. Now, despite being plastic, the build quality impresses, and the phone feels light at 181g, considering its large 6.67-inch display.
One thing to note is the larger-than-usual camera module, which has become a common trait on Poco phones. It may turn heads but it also wobbles quite a bit on a table.
In terms of utility, there's a Type-C charging port, 3.5mm jack, an IR blaster, and a decent-sounding pair of Dolby Atmos tuned speakers. There’s also an IP 54 rating for dust and water resistance, so it should be able to handle the odd splashes of rain.
Diving into the Poco X6, I stumbled upon a budget-friendly gem that truly shines in the display department.
It comes with an expansive 6.67-inch 1.5K Flow AMOLED panel with a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a dazzling peak brightness of 1800 nits.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a display with these impressive specs in the affordable segment. It’s not just fast and responsive; it’s a visual delight with vibrant, accurate colours. Plus, Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus adds a layer of protection rarely seen at this price point.
Poco X6 5G: Cameras
At the heart of this phone's triple camera setup is a 64 MP main sensor, flanked by an 8MP ultrawide lens and a modest 2MP macro.
The images produced by the main sensor are quite impressive, offering a lot of details and vibrant colours that you wouldn't normally expect in this price segment. However, I did notice an issue with the skin tones being unnaturally whitened, which might be a drawback for some.
The 8MP wide-angle camera does a good enough job during the day, capturing expansive shots with decent clarity. But it's a different story once the sun sets; the performance dips significantly under low light, leaving a lot to be desired.
The Macro lens is mostly there to make up numbers, so don’t expect anything spectacular from it.
If you like to shoot videos, then you can record in 4K at 30fps, which is a nice touch for a phone in this budget. The video quality is decent but not groundbreaking. However, thanks to the combination of OIS and EIS, the phone managed to deliver noticeably stable videos
The selfie game is handled by a 16 MP front camera. It's more than adequate for those casual snaps in well-lit environments, but if you're venturing into the night or expecting professional-grade selfies, it might not live up to those expectations.
Poco X6 5G: Performance and Battery
After putting this smartphone through the paces with its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, 12GB RAM, and hefty 512GB storage, I've gotta say, it impressed me. I decided to go all out and played Call of Duty for an hour, maxing out the graphics.
Unsurprisingly, the Poco X6 handled it like a champ - smooth gameplay, no lags, and it stayed cool throughout. Geekbench scores were solid, too—1021 on Single Core and 2976 on Multi-core.
What caught my attention was the CPU's performance under pressure, maintaining 85% capacity without breaking a sweat. So, whether you're into intense gaming or just need a reliable daily driver, this phone's got the power and speed.
Talking about speed, I found the face unlock to be exceptionally fast and effective, even in poorly lit conditions. The in-display fingerprint sensor further complements the phone's security features with its rapid responsiveness.
As for battery life, the 5,100mAh unit coupled with its 67W charger, has proven to be a reliable workhorse. Charging it is incredibly fast; it jumps from 10% to a full 100% in just about 40 minutes.
What's more impressive is how long the battery lasts. It easily powers through more than a day's use without needing a recharge.
Whether I'm streaming videos, scrolling through social media, or making calls, I can count on this phone to keep ticking along nicely.
Poco X6 5G: Software
The Poco X6 runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13, which is slightly different from the Pro version that runs on HyperOS and Android 14. The good news is that the X6 is also set to receive HyperOS in a future update.
The not-so-good news is the abundant amount of bloatware pre-installed. It's packed with unneeded apps, and while you can uninstall them, you shouldn’t really have to.
On a brighter note, the customization options are something I absolutely love. The theme settings for instance are extensive, offering a variety of options, and the ability to tweak them to your liking means that the phone's UI never gets stale.
Another feature that I've been enjoying is Pocket mode. It's saved me from many accidental touches when the phone's in my pocket, ensuring no unintended actions occur.
Moreover, Poco promises a generous update policy with three years of software updates and four years of security patches, which is quite reassuring for long-term users.
Poco X6 5G: Review
The Poco X6 5G is like a mini gaming beast with long-lasting battery life, fast charging, and a vibrant display. The camera is decent, but it's not always consistent. Design-wise, it's mostly fine, but beware, it loves collecting fingerprints.
Overall though, if you're all about performance without breaking the bank, the X6 is the way to go. Camera enthusiasts might eye the X6 Pro, but for the budget-savvy, the X6 is the real deal.
Also watch: Oppo Reno 11 5G Review
