Poco M6: The Poco M6 ain’t no slouch in the budget segment, boasting pretty good specs and performance that belies its price tag.
As a former sub-brand of Xiaomi, Poco is still in the business of putting out cost-effective devices that raise the bar for what consumers should expect from budget phones.
Design and Build
The Poco M6 doesn’t feel and look like a budget phone with a slim profile and premium looking finishes.
The rear panel is also plastic with a texture designed to offer better grip, as well as handling fingerprints better.
The device makes use of a waterdrop notch display design which, while it may not feel cutting edge as compared to punch-hole ones, is an excellent way to keep the costs down.
The power button comes side-mounted on the frame and doubles as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for fast and secure access.
Display Experience
On the front, the device gets a 6.58-inch IPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution (2408 x 1080 pixels).
The screen is not as sharp, nor as vivid in terms of contrast and colors as AMOLED panels are, but it does reach peak brightness of around 500 nits, so visibility outdoors is good for the most part.
There’s a 90Hz refresh rate that makes a world of difference when it comes to smoothness and responsiveness when scrolling and while it does make for an improved user experience, it does so without causing battery life to suffer noticeably.
Performance Credentials
In the engine room, the Poco M6 is driven by the MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, an octa-core processor that offers lag free multitasking for daily use and casual gaming.
Combined with 4GB or 6GB RAM options, and up to 128GB expandable storage, the phone does well at multi-tasking for its range.
The pair also ensures smooth UI navigation, along with decent performance when it comes to casual gaming titles, demanding games will require you to down the settings, somewhat.
Camera Capabilities
The 50MP primary sensor inside the rectangular camera module snaps detailed shots in ideal lighting.
While the main camera uses pixel-binning for better low-light shots, still overall low light results are just average.
The main shooter is complemented by a 2MP macro lens for your close-up shots.
The secondary sensor, while nice to have, is hamstrung by a low resolution. An acceptable seflie-snapper is offered by the 8MP camera at the front for a bit of social media action.
Battery and Charging
Among others, the feel-good factor of the Poco M6 is its monster 5000mAh powerhouse that can conveniently run over the day and can cater to the powerhungry needs of hardcore users.
And that efficient processor and streamlined software lead to stunning standby time.
The phone is equipped with 18W fast charging, which all things considered is not bad given the rather high capacious battery.
Software Experience
MIUI 14 on Poco M6 is based on Android 13 that provides a lot of features and customization options.
The software isn’t the newest around, but it’s full-featured with extras like the Game Turbo mode for better gaming and a wide theme store on board.
The pre-installed apps may be too overwhelming for some users; though the interface is easy to navigate.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Exceptional battery endurance
Very polished 90Hz display experience
Capable primary camera
Reliable fingerprint sensor
Expandable storage option
Performance is good for everyday tasks
Competitive pricing
Cons:
Plastics construction throughout
Secondary camera could be more useful
Modest charging speeds
Average gaming performance
No ultrawide camera option
Occasional software bloatware
No stereo speakers
Poco M6: Verdict
Overall, the Poco M6 is able to fulfill its promise of dependable performance and long-lasting battery life, all at an affordable price point.
There are some compromises in build and cameras, but it does everything you need of a smartphone well without any of the big drawbacks you’d find elsewhere.
The Poco M6 offers a lot for the price-conscious consumer who wants a reliable daily driver and, in the context of the crowded entry-level smartphone market, is great value, marrying practical features with affordability.
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