Poco X6 5G Review: Value For Money

Greatest Costs At present: Poco X6

Yearly, Poco releases its X-range telephones. These are a sequence of handsets within the mid-range area that usually present nice worth for cash compared to rivals.  

Like final yr, there’s a common and Professional mannequin on supply in 2024. The Poco X6 5G is the cheaper of the pair, and comes with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, a daring and vivid show and 67W quick charging. Nonetheless, the mid-range cellphone area is a crowded market, so competitors is fierce. 

Design & Construct 

• Related design to final technology
• Feels low cost
• IP54 score

The X6 takes design inspiration from final yr’s Poco X5 5G. There’s nonetheless the massive digital camera module with the assertion twin round lenses, however the matt end has been changed by a shiny plastic one. While the again appears to be like good untouched, it’s vulnerable to selecting up fingerprints and smudges. It additionally feels fairly low cost and flimsy to the touch.

That shiny end is discovered on the black and blue variations, however there’s additionally a white marble-effect mannequin accessible too. The Poco brand subsequent to the cameras now reads horizontally quite than vertically and has been shriveled to develop into much less intrusive. Fortunately, Poco appears to have fully moved away from blazing its brand/catchphrase over your entire handset.  

On the left there’s the quantity rocker and energy button, and on the underside there’s the USB-C charging port and dual-SIM slot – no additional expandable storage is obtainable, neither is eSIM help.

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The cellphone measures 161.15 x 74.24 x 7.98mm and weighs 181g. Its slim and lightweight, however massive sufficient that it’ll stick out of girls’s denims pockets. The X6 comes with an IP54 score, which makes it barely extra sturdy than the IP53 of final yr, however nonetheless falls wanting the IP68 discovered on most flagships. It means the cellphone can survive splashes of water, however not immersion.

The field additionally features a black silicone-style case, which appears to be like fairly good and provides first rate safety. This could assist prevent a couple of pennies.  

For biometrics, there’s each an under-display fingerprint scanner and face recognition. Each are responsive to make use of, and the cellphone can nonetheless register my face when I’ve glasses on.  

Display screen & Audio system 

• 6.67-inch show
• 120Hz refresh fee
• Stereo audio system

The Poco X6 includes a 6.67-inch 1.5K (2712 x 1220) AMOLED show with robust Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, plus as much as 1800 nits of peak brightness. It means the cellphone is vibrant and sharp to make use of in quite a lot of situations, together with underneath vivid daylight. The display is a pleasure to make use of for each movies and video games, particularly with help for Dolby Imaginative and prescient.  

It has a 120Hz refresh fee, although you need to use the decrease 60Hz setting or the default mode which routinely switches between the 2. Swipes are very responsive, whereas scrolling is basically clean.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

The cellphone has an instantaneous contact sampling fee of 2160Hz, although this quantity solely prompts with Recreation Turbo mode on. Throughout gameplay, it was attentive to press and swipes. Haptic suggestions will be adjusted on a sliding scale, and at full power feels a bit of rattly.

The X6 is fitted with stereo audio system (one other improve on final yr’s singular speaker), which produces loud and punchy audio. It hasn’t obtained loads of depth or spectacular bass, however that’s to be anticipated with no extra audio processing software program like Dolby Atmos.  

Specs & Efficiency 

• Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• 8 or 12GB RAM/256 or 512GB storage
• 5G help

The Poco X6 is fitted with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, a 2023 Qualcomm chipset that’s designed for mid-range cellphone

The model I examined combines it with a beneficiant 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, which is lots to your photographs, video games and apps. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to spend much less by choosing both the 8GB/256GB model or the 12GB/256GB variant – availability will rely on the place you reside.

For the value, this smartphone has nice efficiency. I’ve been in a position to multitask, stream and play video games with minimal lag, whereas booting up the cellphone is sort of swift.  

My overview unit seems to have a bug the place it begins making a fast tapping sound at random. At first, I used to be in a position to clear up it by closing the YouTube app that was working within the background, however that not seems to be working. I’ve reported it to Poco, and the corporate is trying into the difficulty – hopefully it’s not a widespread downside.

Poco X6 5G Benchmarks

Right here’s how the cellphone compares to rivals in our benchmarking exams. I didn’t handle to file GFX Bench scores, because the app wouldn’t run on the cellphone: 

For some purpose, Genshin Impression took a very long time to put in on this cellphone (a number of hours). I may nonetheless play on low graphic settings with out overclocking, although there was some popping, so that you’ll wish to go for a extra highly effective cellphone if heavy-duty cellular video games are your factor.  

If the title didn’t give it away already, 5G help is included.

Cameras 

• 64Mp predominant digital camera
• 8Mp ultrawide
• 2Mp macro
• 16Mp selfie

The Poco X6 (5G) has a triple rear digital camera set-up. That is led by a 64Mp predominant digital camera with OIS and complimented by an 8Mp ultra-wide digital camera and a 2Mp macro digital camera. On the entrance, there’s a 16Mp entrance digital camera. Like earlier telephones on this sequence, the array has its strengths and weaknesses.

As you may anticipate, the Poco takes photographs finest open air in vivid daylight. It captures sharp particulars (even from a distance), and processes shadows with a horny lens flare the place acceptable. Colors are fairly true to life, quite than being too overblown or vapid.

Indoors, snaps aren’t fairly as spectacular, particularly in decrease mild situations the place tones seem lots hotter on the display than what they’re to the attention. At night time, the cellphone struggles rather a lot to retain the identical quantity of element, with many photographs changing into blurry and mushy – the software-based night time mode lifts areas which are already lit up, however doesn’t do a lot else.

As much as 10x zoom is on the market on the Poco X6, however and not using a telephoto lens, that is all digital. I wouldn’t hassle going previous 4x zoom as particulars develop into a lot noisier at these ranges. Even 2x zoom ends in extra washed-out colors than the principle digital camera.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

There’s a devoted macro mode, however I’d suggest simply sticking with the principle digital camera for close-up pictures. This captures particulars with extra readability, and is simpler for focusing. Nonetheless, in additional distant pictures (notably on footage of meals) it has extra issue retaining all the pieces clear.

For selfies, the 16Mp snapper is a marked enchancment over the X5. Pores and skin particulars are way more seen, and the bokeh impact on portrait mode can pick stray hairs with higher readability. 

Video recording is on the market in 4K, 1080p and 720p, all at 30fps. A mix of OIS on the principle lens and Poco’s ‘regular video’ mode helps minimise shake when transferring round, however footage nonetheless tends to look a bit laggy and peculiar.

Battery Life & Charging 

• Giant 5100mAh battery
• 67W charging

Put merely, the battery life on the Poco X6 is unbelievable. It comes with a 5100mAh cell which is extraordinarily robust to put on down, even when utilizing the max 120Hz refresh fee.  

On common, I may get two days utilization out of this cellphone in between work, utilizing it for Twitch, Netflix and taking photographs. This was additionally mirrored in our PCMark battery take a look at (with brightness set to 200 nits), with the cellphone managing a formidable 13 hours and 24 minutes general.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

What’s even higher is that you simply don’t commerce that huge battery for sluggish charging. The included 67W brick juices it from flat to 87% in half-hour, that means a fast five-minute cost may final you a day. Word that the cellphone will get fairly sizzling throughout charging, and no wi-fi choice is included.

If battery life is necessary to you, then it is best to contemplate the Poco X6 5G as your new smartphone. 

Software program 

• Cluttered MIUI 14
• Three years of OS upgrades
• 4 years of safety updates

The Poco X6 5G runs on MIUI 14, which is Xiaomi’s model of Android 13. This isn’t the most recent model of this OS, however there are different mid-range Poco telephones which are additionally a technology behind.  

For those who’re used to pure Android, and even Samsung’s One UI, then Xiaomi navigation could take some getting used to. Swiping down from the best accesses your fast settings, while the left brings up your notifications. This is identical set-up seen on iPhones.  

Hannah Cowton / Foundry

But once more, Poco disappoints by together with a load of bloatware and video games upon set up. There are tons of titles like ‘Block Puzzle Guardian’ (a Tetris-esque recreation) and ‘Mud Settle’. These will be uninstalled, however they muddle up your house display once you first load up the cellphone. There’s additionally Xiaomi variations of Google apps, like an app retailer and photograph gallery. 

Poco has confirmed that the X6 will get three years of Android OS updates and 4 years of safety patches. That is fairly commonplace for telephones of this worth, however rivals reminiscent of Samsung and Google do supply longer.

Value & Availability 

Within the UK and Europe, the Poco X6 5G begins from £319/€329 for the 12/256GB variant. You possibly can at present purchase it from the Poco retailer, the Mi retailer and Amazon – the latter is providing a reduced worth on the time of writing.

That beginning worth isn’t as little as the X5, however that sequence supplied a 6GB RAM model. For a similar configuration, the UK worth is flat yr on yr. While the model did point out different storage and RAM variants for the X6, these aren’t dwell on the UK web site on the time of writing. As with different Xiaomi fashions, it’s not accessible within the US.

With no networks providing the cellphone on contract, you’ll have to purchase it outright and pair with a SIM-only deal.

It’s price mentioning that the Poco X6 Professional begins from £369/€349 and comes with a greater chipset, devoted cooling system and Android 14. Plus, in the event you purchase it by Poco’s early fowl low cost it’s not that rather more costly that the X6 – so, on this occasion we’d suggest forking out a bit of bit extra for the upgraded cellphone.

Outdoors of Xiaomi, the Honor Magic 6 Lite is a superb viable different, one other latest launch on the time of writing that comes with a extra premium construct. If having a cleaner OS is necessary, then you could possibly contemplate the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G.

For additional choices, take a look at our information to one of the best mid-range smartphones.

Must you purchase the Poco X6? 

On the {hardware} facet, the Poco X6 is an improve on final yr’s mannequin. It has a the next IP score, improved audio system, an even bigger battery and extra succesful rear and entrance cameras – plus clean performances due to its Snapdragon processor.

It additionally retains the usual Poco compromises: a flimsy construct high quality, poor low-light digital camera efficiency and (most significantly) cluttered software program with tons of app bloat. For those who can overlook these flaws, then the Poco X6 5G is a powerful mid-ranger… however the X6 Professional is even higher nonetheless.

Specs

• Android 13, MIUI 14
• 6.67in AMOLED show (120Hz, FHD+)
• Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 with 8GB/12GB RAM
• 256/512GB storage
• 5G
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
• 64Mp f/1.79 predominant rear digital camera
• 8Mp 118-degree ultra-wide digital camera
• 2Mp f/2.4 macro lens
• 16Mp f/2.45 selfie digital camera
• Beneath-display fingerprint reader
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• 5100mAh battery
• 67W quick cost tech
• Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (entrance)
• Plastic physique
• 161.15 x 74.24 x 7.98mm
• 181g
• Accessible in Black, Blue and White