Highlights

• Poco M6 Pro 5G has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 10,999 for the base variant of 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of storage.
• The phone goes on sale on August 9th at 12 PM on Flipkart.

Poco has unveiled its latest M-series entry-level 5G smartphone in India – Poco M6 Pro 5G. The first thing I noticed when Poco M6 Pro landed on my desk for a review was a clear resemblance to Redmi 12 5G in terms of some key specs.

Both phones follow similar design philosophies too. While similarities can’t be denied, I’m here to focus on the M6 Pro 5G. In this hands-on review, I’ll be sharing everything about Poco M6 Pro 5G after having tested it as my primary device.

Poco M6 Pro 56 price in India starts at ₹10,999 for the base variant of 4 GB RAM + 64 GB Internal Storage. The review unit I received was the Forest Green colour variant with a higher configuration of 6 GB RAM + 128 GB Internal Storage.

Before moving on with my review, here are the key features and Pros & Cons at a glance.

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Key Features

• 79-inch FHD+ 90Hz display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
• Up to 6 GB RAM + 2 GB Expansion
• Up to 128 GB Internal Storage
• 50MP AI Dual Rear Camera
• 8MP Front Camera
• 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging
• Android v13
• MIUI Global 14.0.2
• 5G Support

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Pros & Cons

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Unboxing

I received the device in standard yellow colour Poco packaging with bold and prominent M6 Pro branding on top.
The box also proudly exhibits a “Made in India” tag. The device is neatly packed and Poco has included everything that you might need to use the phone.

The in-box contents include the following –

• Poco M6 Pro 5G handset
• 5W Power Adapter (phone supports 18W)
• Type-C USB Cable
• SIM Ejector Pin
• Plastic Clear Case
• Quick Start Guide

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Design

Poco M6 Pro 5G exudes premium quality. Encased in glass on the back and boasting flat edges with a metallic paint finish, the phone not only feels great in hand. The glass back is very reflective and looks elegant.

As I mentioned above, there is a clear resemblance with Redmi 12 5G when it comes to design and specs.

However, M6 Pro 5G comes with a decorative black colour rectangle background around the camera house that serves as the main differentiator between it and the Redmi phone. The black background further has dominant Poco branding.

There is no separate camera module on the back. Instead, the smartphone sports three individual rings for the two camera lenses and a flash.

I found the phone a bit broad in hand. However, the curved corners and 8.17mm thick boxy body contributed to a comfortable and ergonomic grip.

It’s IP53 rated, making it resistant to water splashes and some dust, adding extra peace of mind for everyday usage.

Moreover, M6 Pro also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and IR blaster on the top while the bottom houses the speaker cutout and USB-C port.
The handset is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, integrated into the power button.

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Display

The Poco M6 Pro 5G sports a massive 6.79-inch display featuring a centred punch-hole for the selfie camera, resulting in an impressive 91 per cent screen-to-body ratio.

It is an LCD panel with an FHD+ resolution of 2460 x 1080 Pixels, delivering sharp visuals and a fluid experience with its 90Hz refresh rate and 550nits brightness.

The handset does exhibit quite visible bezels and a broad chin. However, it’s a common trait among smartphones in this price segment. It also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Protection, so that’s one worry off your mind.

In terms of the visual experience, I found the display respectable for its price range. I could stream YouTube at a maximum of 1080p quality.

The colours on-screen appear punchy and vibrant in their default settings. While outdoor legibility remains on par with other smartphones in this segment. While testing, I could easily read text even under direct sunlight.

The display, overall, ensures a comfortable user experience in various lighting conditions.

Poco M6 Pro 5G  – Software, Hardware and Performance

The Poco M6 Pro 5G is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, which brings substantial performance enhancements compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 SoC. This upgraded chipset ensures a smoother and more efficient user experience.

To test the processor capability, I ran some standard benchmark tests. Also, Poco claimed in all marketing materials that the smartphone has achieved a score of over 4,37,000 on AnTuTu. So, I had to test.

The review unit I received was 6GB RAM and 128 Storage variant. For AnTuTu v10, the Poco M6 Pro achieved slightly higher than the brand’s claim and recorded 4,46,310 points.

As Geekbench 6 score, the multi-core test score was 1918 points and the single-core recorded 855 points. The GPU score on Geekbench 6 was recorded at 407 points for OpenCL.

While I was using the phone as my primary device, the real-world performance was definitely impressive. I noticed no significant hiccups while multitasking with several apps running in the background.

As for gaming, games like BGMI pushed to it its limit with maximum graphics and frame rate settings, the phone maintained smooth performance without major issues. It’s worth noting that the handset’s temperature does rise slightly during extended gaming sessions.

Out of the box, the smartphone comes with Android 13-based MIUI 14 software. This is also seen in many other Xiaomi and Redmi devices. MIUI 14 delivers an intuitive user experience.

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Camera Performance

The phone comes equipped with a dual-camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP portrait lens on the rear, while the front houses an 8MP selfie camera.

The camera performance is decent for the segment. It delivers clear and sharp images in everyday scenarios. Below are some camera samples taken in different light and daytime.

The 50MP main sensor captures rich details, allowing for well-defined shots even in challenging lighting conditions. From vibrant landscapes to close-up shots, the camera showcases reliable colour reproduction and excellent dynamic range.

The 2MP portrait lens offers a pleasing bokeh effect, adding depth and separation to portrait shots. The portrait mode is actually commendable for a smartphone in this price range.

Thanks to its Night Mode feature, images are brighter and less noisy, allowing for better visibility and more details in dimly lit scenes. While some loss of sharpness is evident, the overall performance remains satisfactory for spontaneous night photography.

The 8MP front camera is decent. Not much to explore really. I wasn’t disappointed but there is nothing to hype either.

Let’s talk about the video quality.

M6 Pro 5G supports 1080p recording at 30 fps for both the rear and front cameras. Video quality is respectable too.

The recording samples above can give you a fair idea. No 4K video, but I’m sure you weren’t expecting that from an entry-level smartphone. Anyhow, the 1080p resolution still captures memories with adequate clarity.

Poco M6 Pro 5G Camera Samples

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Battery

A standard 5,000mAh battery powers M6 Pro, offering ample power to last throughout the day, even with demanding usage. Impressively, it manages to achieve nearly 16 hours on PCMark’s Battery test, demonstrating its excellent endurance.

However, one aspect to note is the relatively slower charging speeds. Despite providing a 22.5W charger in the box, the Poco M6 Pro supports an 18W charging solution. This takes close to two hours to reach a full 100 per cent charge from 0 per cent.

Verdict

For an entry-level 5G smartphone, Poco M6 Pro 5G is a capable and feature-rich device. With a performance-focused approach, it embraces a minimalist design highlighted by a premium glass back.

The device supports a massive 5000mAh battery and its primary camera system shines in well-lit conditions as well.

The sub-par low-light photography and slow charging speeds might leave some users wanting more. Nevertheless, for all other aspects, the M6 Pro 5G earns a resounding thumbs up from my side.

For a 5G smartphone available at a starting price of Rs 11,999, it definitely offers a decent smartphone experience.

Buy Poco M6 Pro 5G For

• Premium Glass Back Design
• Powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 4nm chipset
• 50MP Dual AI Camera
• Massive 5000mAh battery
• IP53 Rated Water and Dust Resistant
• Good overall performance

Poco M6 Pro 5G – Comparison with Segment Alternatives

FAQs

Q1. What is the design of the Poco M6 Pro 5G like?

Answer. The Poco M6 Pro 5G boasts a premium design that defies its budget status. It features a glass back with flat edges finished in metallic paint, providing a nice in-hand feel.

Q2. What is the battery life and charging speed of the Poco M6 Pro 5G?

Answer. The smartphone comes with a typical 5,000mAh battery, which should last throughout the day even with heavy usage. However, the phone’s charging speeds are relatively slow, supporting an 18W charging solution, which may take over two hours to achieve a full charge from 0 to 100 per cent.

Q3. How is the display quality and viewing experience on the Poco M6 Pro 5G?

Answer. The Poco M6 Pro 5G features a 6.71-inch LCD display with FHD+ resolution, 550 nits brightness, and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. The screen has a centred punch-hole for the selfie camera, resulting in a 91 per cent screen-to-body ratio.

Also Read: POCO M6 Pro 5G hands-on video leaked ahead of launch: Design, Specifications Leaked

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