Poco F6 5G: A Feature-Packed Contender Redefining Value in the Mid-Range Market

Poco F6 5G has made its debut in India amidst anticipation, and it certainly lives up to expectations with its impressive array of features. The competitive market in this price range ensures you get substantial value for your investment. The F6 resembles the Poco X6 Pro, which we previously noted as an outstanding device for its cost. My experience with the Poco F6 over the last few days has sparked similar sentiments. The F-series holds significant importance for Poco, and the new Poco F6 appears to be a commendable step up from the prior model. Nevertheless, we advise you to hold off until our comprehensive review to determine whether the Poco F6 5G is the right choice against its rivals.

Speaking of the competition, it’s important to highlight that the Poco F6 5G comes at a very attractive price point. The entry-level variant featuring 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is retailing at Rs. 29,999. Additionally, there is a model available with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, priced at Rs. 31,999. The device boasts LPDDR5X RAM along with UFS 4.0 storage technology.

The smartphone features a plastic frame and a rear panel

Regarding its aesthetics, the Poco F6 5G sports a polycarbonate rear and a plastic frame. The matte finish on the back panel resists fingerprints and accommodates a dual-camera array. The dual camera rings are prominently positioned in the upper left corner, along with a circular flash. Unlike the Poco F5, which offered three rear cameras, the new variant opts for two. Moreover, the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, although it retains several features, including an IR blaster.

The back panel may feel a bit slippery, but the frame design allows for a comfortable one-handed grip. On the front, you’ll find a 6.67-inch AMOLED LTPS display with a resolution of 1.5K, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a remarkable screen-to-body ratio of 94.7%. The bezels are notably slim, save for a slightly thicker bottom chin. Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers protection for the display. Additionally, the phone holds an IP64 rating, signifying its resistance to water and dust. The overall feel of the device is pleasing in hand; however, an aluminum frame would have enhanced the experience, but that can be attributed to its competitive pricing.

The display achieves a peak brightness of 2,400 nits

The Poco F6 5G marks the introduction of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset in the Indian market. From my initial usage over several days, it has performed exceptionally well. More details will follow in my complete review, but I can confidently assert that this device is among the most powerful in its category, if not the foremost. The architecture of this chipset draws from the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

Poco has revamped the camera setup in this new model. Although it features one less rear camera than before, the two sensors provided are touted to offer enhanced performance. We will need to conduct a thorough test, but it includes a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and OIS, along with an 8-megapixel Sony IMX335 ultra-wide sensor with a 119-degree field of view. It’s quite uncommon for phones in this price range to come with a primary camera with such a wide aperture, which should enhance performance in low-light environments. For selfies, there is a 20-megapixel front camera.

This device features a primary rear camera utilizing the Sony IMX882 sensor

The smartphone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that supports 90W fast charging. A 120W fast charger is also included in the package, which is a convenient addition. The Poco F6 5G operates on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS built on Android 14. You’ll also find several AI features such as AI Image Expansion, AI Eraser Pro, AI Bokeh, and more.

The Poco F6 5G appears to be yet another model from Poco offering impressive value for its price. With the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC included, I would readily recommend this to potential buyers. However, our tests will determine if aspects such as the cameras and the display are equally commendable. Stay tuned for our comprehensive review for further insights!