Poco M6 5G: The budget smartphone market is constantly evolving and manufacturers are trying their best to one-up each other by providing more bang for the buck. Enter the Poco M6 5G, a phone designed to deliver 5G as an affordable handset with decent specs.
Targeted at users who seek the taste of 5G but can’t mortgage their houses for it, this phone has just enough firepower to make everyday life a little smoother.
Poco has a reputation for cramming good hardware into competitive price points, and the M6 5G is no different. It’s aimed at students, light gamers, and first-time buyers looking to dip their toes in the world of 5G — but is there more to it than a 5G badge on the back, or is that all that it has going for it?
Design and Build: Clean and Practical
Design and display The Poco M6 5G has a simple design, and comes with one colour options – Graphite Black with Matte finish that is resistant to fingerprints and feels solid to hold. Its flat frame and textured back panel give it a contemporary vibe, and though it’s plastic, the device feels sturdy.
A wide and characteristically Poco rear camera module has the phone looking different without coming across as trying too hard.
It’s not that chunky for packing a large battery, and easy to hold given the size. It comes in understated colors such as Galactic Black and Orion Blue, so it’s not screaming for attention.
Display: Good Enough for Basic Needs
The device carries a 6.74-inch HD+ LCD panel with support for a 90Hz refresh rate. It is not a Full HD display but for the price and for what you would use it for, the resolution is fine.
There is also a 90Hz refresh rate which adds an extra bite of smoothness when scrolling or moving through apps, which is a nice touch at this price.
The display’s peak brightness is sufficient for indoor use and can be used while in direct sunlight, although it could use some shade if viewing in similarly direct outdoor conditions.
They won’t be as vivid as an AMOLED, but video playback and casual streaming will still be enjoyable.
Performance: Surprisingly Good
Under the hood, the phone houses the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC which is a powerful 5G chip that works very well for regular use. It’s combined with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 type storage, so it should be able to handle multitasking smoothly for things like browsing the web, chatting, and light gaming.
Apps launch fast and basic games like Subway Surfers and Asphalt 9 run smoothly on low to medium settings.
An impressively smooth experience for the money, at least compared to other phones at the same price.
Software: MIUI and Android 13
The phone runs on MIUI 14, which in turn is based on Android 13, and has Poco’s own signature vibe overlaid. While the interface is clean, there is a fair amount of pre-loaded apps. Fortunately, the majority of them will erase.
The software is reliable, no throttling (screen on/idle time) is maintained even for long use.
Camera: Decent in Good Light
The Poco M6 5G has a 50MP main camera and a secondary depth sensor. In bright light, the camera takes okay pictures with acceptable sharpness and color balance. Its not made for pro-level photography, but it’ll capture social-media-ready shots with minimal effort.
The 5MP front-facing camera is straightforward, it’s perfectly serviceable for video calls and casual selfies. Detail is non-existent in low light, but at this price point, that’s to be expected.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is a strong point for the M6 5G with its 5000mAh battery being able to last well over a day on moderate usage. 18W fast charging is supported and though it’s not exactly the fastest out there, it does get the job done in under two hours or so.
Pros:
Affordable 5G support
Smooth 90Hz refresh rate
Reliable MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor
Good battery life
Clean and sturdy design
MIUI 14 is smooth and totally customizable
Cons:
Only HD+ display, not Full HD
Basic front camera
Some pre-installed bloatware
No ultra-wide or macro camera
Faster charging would be ideal
Poco M6 5G Verdict
The Poco M6 5G isn’t aspiring to be a flagship killer. Instead, it sticks with the basics and does them all well. For those who want a futureproofed, affordable phone that’s 5G-ready, decent performing and keeps going throughout the day, it is great value in fact.
It’s a solid pick for anyone who’s ready to upgrade from an older 4G phone without splurging.
