Poco M6 Pro 5G : Poco has a reputation for offering heavyweight specs at prices that won’t make you take out a mortgage, and with the Poco M6 Pro 5G, that pattern is set to continue — but this time with a twist. In a market that is packed with flashy low-cost phones, this one stands out not by shouting, but by getting the basics right.
We investigate below whether that’s all the Poco M6 Pro 5G is, or if there’s more to be found behind that “5G” nomenclature.
Design and Build: Subtle and Strong
Considering it’s a budget phone, the Poco M6 Pro 5G looks remarkably clean. It has a glass front and a plastic back with a satin finish that hides fingerprints. The design is arguably minimal with the large camera module on the top of the rear giving it some personality but not being too boisterous about it.
It’s not super light at about 199 grams, but the weight balance is right, and it feels comfortable even during long sessions. The phone also has an IP53 rating, meaning it’s splash-resistant, which isn’t very common in its price range.
Display: Big, Bright and Smooth Enough
You’re certainly working with a 6.79-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display, with a 90Hz refresh rate that makes browsing feel fast and fluid. It’s not an AMOLED panel, but it’s a good performer with solid brightness, decent viewing angles, and punchy colors for an LCD.
The display doesn’t disappoint — whether you’re scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube or playing a few games. And with its Corning Gorilla Glass protection, you at least get a little peace of mind from scratches.
Performance: Snappy Enough for Everyday Tasks
As for what’s powering the device, you get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC under the hood, which is based on the 6nm process node and is capable of providing decent performance to the entry-level 5G segment. With its 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and UFS 2.2 storage, the phone feels snappy during daily use.
Apps open with no lag, switching among tasks is snappy, and yes, casual gaming is perfectly fine. Popular games such as BGMI or Call of Duty: Mobile runs on medium settings with playable frame rates. It does a better job with multitasking than I expected for a phone in this price range.
Software: No Frills, But Some Bloat
The Poco M6 Pro 5G runs MIUI 14 based on Android 13, and although the interface is slick and responsive, there is quite a bit of bloatware here. Thankfully, much of it can be uninstalled.
Poco is also promising at least two years of software updates, which is a good commitment for this segment.
The MIUI, over the years, has become more mature and offers plenty of customisation options, themes, as well as useful tools like dual apps and second space.
Cameras: Not Powerful, But Good Enough
The phone comes with a 50MP main camera assisted by a 2MP depth sensor. In the daytime, the photos are sharp and clearly detailed, which is impressive for such an affordable phone.
The dynamic range is good and sometimes has trouble with overexposure in sunny conditions.
Low-light photos are fine, with the phone’s built-in Night Mode helping provide some much needed clarity — but don’t expect any miracles. The 8MP front camera is sufficient for selfies and for making Skype video calls, but it has a habit of softening details.
Battery & Charging: Reliable and Efficient
You have a 5,000mAh battery, which will easily last you a day’s worth of moderate to heavy usage. Whether you’re streaming, gaming or simply doom-scrolling, battery life is not generally an issue.
The device can charge with USB-C 18W fast charging. It’s not lightning speed, but most people should consider a full recharged in just over 1.5 hours acceptable. Bonus: You still get a charger in the box.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Budget price for 5G connectivity
Good build with splash resistance (IP53)
A good big display with 90Hz refresh rate
Reliable battery life
Decent Knock late on to Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 with the ball.
Gorilla Glass protection
Cons:
LCD instead of AMOLED
MIUI is bloated with bloatware
Camera isn’t great in low light
No ultra-wide or macro lens
Charging is not very fast
Poco M6 Pro 5G Final Verdict
There’s no pretentiousness about the Poco M6 Pro 5G. It’s a useable, balanced budget smartphone that ticks most of the modern-day essentials — particularly 5G and good performance — without cutting too many corners.
For those looking to get into 5G while on a budget, this is one of the best value options around right now.