In an era where the cost of powerful smartphones seems to be ever-increasing, POCO continues to carve out a niche for itself by offering feature-packed devices at budget-friendly prices. The POCO X6 Pro is no exception.
This latest offering from POCO, and its standard POCO X6 counterpart, is a testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering value without compromising on quality. With significant upgrades over its predecessor and a keen eye on the needs of a younger, tech-savvy audience, the X6 Pro stands out in the crowded budget segment.
Having spent around two weeks using the X6 Pro as my primary handset, I’ve come to like the phone for quite a few reasons. It’s not perfect by any stretch, but it certainly justifies its asking price. Here are my thoughts on the POCO X6 Pro.
Design and Build: Eye-Catching and Ergonomic
The design of the POCO X6 Pro is a blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. It comes in a striking bright yellow, a choice that will appeal to users looking for something different and more “hip”. Our review unit was a shiny black and it looks quite sleek and sophisticated and, I imagine, a smidge classier than the grey.
It’s worth noting that the yellow option is also POCO’s first phone to have a vegan leather back, and the texture is rather striking.
The device is also practical, offering IP54 dust and water resistance – a welcome feature for everyday durability.
For added convenience and a seamless look, the X6 Pro integrates the fingerprint sensor into the display. Although it’s positioned a bit lower, which might require some getting used to, it maintains the sleek design of the device.
Features: Packed with Modern Necessities
- 6.67-inch AMOLED Display: Offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast, with a high refresh rate of 120Hz.
- MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra Processor: Ensures smooth performance, particularly for gaming.
- Storage Options: Comes with 256GB (~$300 USD) of storage as standard, with options up to 512GB (~$370 USD).
- Camera Setup: Features a 64MP primary lens with OIS, complemented by an 8MP wide-angle and a 2MP macro lens.
- Software: Runs on HyperOS with Android 14, offering a familiar Xiaomi interface with room for customization.
Display: Vibrant and Fluid
A key highlight of the X6 Pro is its 6.67-inch AMOLED display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color reproduction. The screen’s brightness and clarity, especially when viewing HDR content, are remarkable for a phone in this price bracket.
While it shares its display characteristics with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the POCO X6 Pro makes it accessible at a more affordable price point.
The display reaches up to 1,800 nits in HDR content, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. For regular use, it offers up to 1,200 nits, which is more than sufficient for most scenarios.
Thanks to the AMOLED technology, the X6 Pro’s screen displays deep blacks and vibrant colors. The contrast ratio is high, making for vivid and immersive viewing experiences, especially when watching high-definition videos or playing graphically rich games.
Performance: Tailored for Gamers
Under the hood, the X6 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra chipset, making it a powerhouse for gaming. The processor handles demanding games with relative ease, although it does tend to heat up under prolonged usage. The placement of the fingerprint scanner could be better, but it doesn’t detract from the overall solid performance of the device.
The MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra is the heart of the X6 Pro’s performance. This chipset features advanced Arm v9 Cortex A715 and A520 cores, with clock speeds reaching up to 3.35GHz. This translates to swift and efficient processing, crucial for gaming and multitasking.
The Mali-G615 GPU included in this chipset is optimized for high-end gaming. It supports the latest gaming titles, ensuring smooth frame rates and detailed graphics. Gamers will appreciate the reduced lag and improved responsiveness in fast-paced games.
With options of 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the X6 Pro allows for seamless multitasking. This is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps, such as gaming while running a chat app or streaming music.
The device comes with up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. UFS (Universal Flash Storage) 4.0 offers faster read/write speeds compared to older storage technologies, meaning quicker load times for apps and games, and faster file transfers.
Despite the X6 Pro heating up during extended gaming sessions, it’s important to note that this is a common issue with high-performance devices. The fact that it manages heat effectively enough to prevent shutdowns or severe throttling is a testament to its design. A slight increase in temperature can be a trade-off for maintaining high performance over long periods.
Battery Life: Robust and Reliable
Battery performance is a standout feature, with the X6 Pro comfortably lasting over a day on a single charge under moderate use. The fast charging capability, at 67W, is a significant bonus, allowing users to quickly juice up the phone and be on the go.
For gamers and heavy users, battery life is crucial. The X6 Pro’s robust battery ensures that users can indulge in long gaming sessions without constant worry about charging. Spend a few minutes plugged in and you’ll be pleased with the speed of that charger; it takes about 45 minutes to go from 0 – 100%
Camera: Competent but Not Exceptional
The camera experience on the POCO X6 Pro is a mix of highs and lows, reflecting the typical compromises of a budget smartphone. While it doesn’t match the prowess of more expensive devices, it still offers some noteworthy features.
The 64MP primary camera is the star of the X6 Pro’s camera setup. In well-lit environments, it captures images with good detail and vibrant colors. The dynamic range is commendable, allowing for balanced shots even in challenging lighting conditions. However, the camera’s performance dips in low-light scenarios. Images tend to lose sharpness and exhibit noticeable noise, making night photography less reliable. The camera also struggles with focusing in dim settings, often resulting in blurry shots.
The 8MP wide-angle camera extends the field of view, which is useful for landscape or group photos. However, the quality drops compared to the primary lens, especially in terms of detail and color accuracy. In low-light conditions, the wide-angle lens falls short, producing images that lack clarity. The 2MP macro lens, a common feature in many budget phones, offers the ability to capture close-up shots. However, its utility is limited due to the lower resolution and the challenge of getting a clear focus on tiny subjects.
For video enthusiasts, the X6 Pro offers basic capabilities. It supports 4K recording at 30fps, which is adequate for casual users but might not satisfy those looking for professional-level videography. The lack of higher frame rate options at 4K is a notable omission. However, for standard video recording needs, such as capturing moments or creating content for social media, the X6 Pro does an acceptable job. The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) in the primary camera aids in reducing shakiness, contributing to smoother footage.
The camera app on the X6 Pro is straightforward and easy to navigate, consistent with Xiaomi’s user interface across its devices. It offers a range of modes and settings, allowing users to tweak their photography experience. Features like Pro mode, Night mode, and various filters add to the versatility of the camera, giving users more creative control.
Software: Familiar Xiaomi Experience
Running on HyperOS with Android 14, the software experience is largely similar to MIUI 14. While the UI might not offer anything revolutionary, it provides a stable and user-friendly experience. The promise of long-term updates is a significant plus, ensuring the phone stays relevant in the coming years.
Although the HyperOS interface closely resembles MIUI 14, it is optimized for the hardware, ensuring smooth interactions. This optimization can contribute to a more responsive gaming experience, with reduced stutter and lag.
Gamers often prefer a degree of customization in their devices. The X6 Pro’s UI allows for various tweaks and adjustments, letting users tailor their experience to their gaming preferences.
There’s an awful lot of bloatware, or valued-added content pre-installed on the phone but you can opt to uninstall them. To be fair, there are a few that are quite popular and some of the games might be fun to users.
Pros:
- Upgraded Internals: Provides a significant performance boost over its predecessor.
- Bright and Vivid Display: The 120Hz AMOLED panel is a standout feature.
- Long Battery Life with Fast Charging: Ensures all-day usability with quick top-up capability.
- Good Value: Offers impressive hardware and features at a competitive price.
Cons:
- Heat Management: The device can become uncomfortably warm during intense gaming sessions.
- Limited Video Capabilities: 4K video recording is capped at 30fps.
- Bloatware: Comes with unnecessary pre-installed apps.
- Average Auxiliary Cameras: Falls short in providing a versatile photography experience.
Pricing and Availability
The POCO X6 Pro offers excellent value, especially in markets like India. With multiple storage options and competitive pricing, it stands out in the budget segment. It’s available for purchase in India and the U.K., with prices starting from $325 USD (₹26,999) for the 8GB/256GB model. The 12GB/512GB variant is just a little more at around $370 USD.
As someone who likes to hop around from one unlocked phone to another, I looked forward to the experience here. And because I am a T-Mobile customer, I’ve been able to enjoy some pretty damn fast data speeds in certain areas. Do your diligence in checking to ensure the phone is compatible with your carrier. For what it’s worth, the global supports an extensive array of 5G bands.
- 5G Sub6G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/4 0/41/48/77/78
- 5G NSA: n1/3/5/7/8/28/38/40/41/77/78
Conclusion: A Smart Pick for the Budget-Conscious
The POCO X6 Pro, with its powerful internals, vivid display, and lasting battery life, is a compelling option for those seeking a budget-friendly yet capable smartphone. While it may not excel in every department, particularly in terms of camera performance and software bloat, it hits the mark where it counts.
If you prioritize gaming performance, display quality, and battery life over camera versatility and clean software, the X6 Pro is a smart choice. Widening the aperture a bit, the POCO X6 Pro is a solid option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn’t skimp on performance and features.
POCO X6: An Equally Compelling Variant for a Different User
When considering the POCO X6 Pro and the standard POCO X6, it’s clear that both smartphones are strong contenders in the budget segment. However, they cater to slightly different user needs and preferences. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison:
Performance: Powerhouse vs Balanced Efficiency
- POCO X6 Pro: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra, this phone is a performance beast, especially appealing to gamers and power users. It’s built for handling intensive tasks with higher efficiency.
- POCO X6: Equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 Mobile Platform, the standard X6 offers a more balanced performance. It’s sufficient for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, but may not match the raw power of the X6 Pro.
Display: High-End Features in Both
Both models sport a 6.67” AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling. The POCO X6 Pro might have a slight edge in color accuracy and brightness under various conditions.
Design: Subtle Differences
The POCO X6 Pro and the standard X6 have similar dimensions and weight, making them both comfortable to hold and use. The choice of colors in the standard X6 offers more variety for personal preference.
Camera: Comparable Quality
Both phones feature a 64MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. The front camera of the standard X6 is 16MP, potentially offering slightly better selfie capabilities.
Battery and Charging: Equally Impressive
Both models boast a 5100mAh battery with 67W wired turbo charging. This similarity ensures that either phone can handle a full day of use with ease, and recharge quickly when needed.
Key Differences to Consider
- Processor and Performance: The X6 Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra is more powerful than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the standard X6, making the Pro version better for heavy gaming and intensive tasks.
- Display Quality: While both have excellent displays, the X6 Pro might offer better brightness and color accuracy.
- Front Camera: The standard X6’s 16MP front camera could be a deciding factor for users who frequently take selfies or video calls.
- Price Point: Given the differences, the X6 Pro is likely to be priced slightly higher than the standard X6, making the latter a more budget-friendly option.
Conclusion: Choosing What’s Right for You
The POCO X6 Pro stands out as a performance-oriented device, ideal for gaming enthusiasts and power users who need that extra bit of horsepower. The standard POCO X6, on the other hand, offers a balanced performance with slightly better selfie capabilities, making it a great choice for everyday users who value efficiency and versatility.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs and budget considerations. Both phones deliver excellent value in their respective segments, maintaining POCO’s reputation for quality and affordability.
