Highlights
- POCO Pods are the latest entry-level TWS earbuds launched in India.
- The budget wireless earbuds come with ENC, 12mm drivers, 60ms Low Latency, 30 Hours Playback, Bluetooth 5.3 and an IPX4 rating.
- The POCO Pods price in India is Rs 1,199 as an introductory offer.
After Apple, Oppo, OnePlus, Samsung, Xiaomi and many more, it is now POCO’s turn to enter the true wireless audio segment. The brand has recently introduced its first entry-level earbuds – POCO Pods – at an introductory price of Rs 1,199.
The POCO Pods come with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), low latency of up to 60ms and 30 hours of playback time as its key features. The buds also have Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and Google Fast Pair support.
In our hands-on POCO Pods review, we are sharing our experience of using the earbuds as our premium audio companion for a couple of days.
Before we get to our review, here’s a glance at the key features and Pros & Cons.
POCO Pods – Key Features
- In-Built Mic
- Environmental Noise Cancellation
- 12mm Xtra Bass Drivers
- 60ms Low Latency for Gaming
- Bluetooth v5.3
- Google Fast Pair
- Up to 30 hours of Playback
- Fast Charge
- IPX4 Sweat and Splash Proof
POCO Pods – Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Sleek and robust design
● Decent sound quality ● Comfortable fit ● Good 30 hours of Playback with Fast Charge technology ● IPX4 Sweat and Splash Proof ● Good Passive Environmental Noise Cancellation ● Google Fast Pair ● Decent Sound Quality ● Affordable |
● No charging cable in the box
● The sound lacks the loud punch ● Subpar call quality ● No call ENC ● Xiaomi Earbuds App doesn’t provide any customisations
|
POCO Pods – Unboxing
In-The-Box Contents
- POCO Pods Bluetooth earbuds
- Charging Case
- Silicon Eartips – 3 Pairs (S/M/L, M installed)
- User Manual
It doesn’t come with a USB Type-C cable in the box.
POCO Pods – Design, Fit and Build Quality
Design Details
- POCO Pods follow Poco’s signature yellow theme.
- The interior of the case features a captivating yellow colour scheme that not only complements the overall look but also adds a unique visual dimension.
- Embracing an in-ear design, the ear pods are accompanied by yellow silicon tips that not only contribute to the aesthetics.
- POCO also has a convenient USB-C charging port at the bottom, simplifying the charging process.
- Weighing a mere 41 grams, the device achieves a remarkable featherlight quality, making it comfortable for extended usage periods.
Case Features
The case boasts a sophisticated matte finish. We loved the elegant appearance, apart from the durable and sturdy feel when held.
Its well-constructed design includes a lid with a robust hinge mechanism, ensuring a reliable and smooth opening and closing experience. The magnetic hold of earbuds inside the case is also strong. Earbuds don’t fall off the case easily.
The sides of the case are adorned with a glossy strip that encircles its entirety, enhancing its visual appeal and modern aesthetic. The Type-C port and indicator light are located at the bottom of the case.
What we instantly noticed at the forefront is the distinctive ‘POCO’ logo, which adds a brand-focused element to the overall design.
Comfort and Fit
The meticulous design of both the earbuds and stem ensures not only an appealing visual appearance.
After thoroughly using the earbuds, we can also say these are comfortable and ergonomically fit within the ears. Even during energetic activities like running or gyming, the earbuds maintain a secure and snug fit, eliminating concerns of dislodgment.
These, in fact, are perfectly suited for workout sessions. During our usage, the earbuds remained in place despite rigorous movements, offering an ideal audio companion during exercise routines.
With an IPX4 sweat and splashproof rating, the earbuds provide robust protection against moisture, making them suitable for intense workouts and ensuring they can withstand mild splashes and sweat accumulation.
POCO Pods – Sound Quality and ENC
Sound Quality
When you start using any new earbuds, the first thing you notice is how they sound. The POCO pods have pretty decent sound quality for the segment.
However, when we tried to listen to some instrumental heavy music, the lack of punch in the sound was very evident. The sound doesn’t seem loud enough in many places. This could be disappointing for people who love loudness in music.
The sound, otherwise, has immense clarity. You can hear all the notes in a song quite well.
The POCO Pods also make the sound feel like it’s coming from different directions, which is nice.
Music Testing
- We tried these earbuds with all sorts of music.
- For most songs, the sound was clear and you could hear all the different notes with clarity.
- When we tested the buds playing different kinds of music such as slow songs and fast ones, the earbuds did a good job.
Bass Performance
- Even though these earbuds are small, they can still produce good bass.
- They have something called “Xtra Bass Drivers” that make the bass sound decent.
Noise Cancellation
- The Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) does a good job of blocking background noise.
- When you’re using the earbuds, you won’t hear as much of the noise around you. It’s like creating a quiet bubble for your ears.
POCO Pods – Features
Low Latency for Gaming
Play games with less delay: POCO Pods have a special feature that reduces the time between actions and game sounds. With just 60 milliseconds of delay, your actions in games match up better with what you see and hear.
This low latency feature makes playing games on POCO Pods smoother and more fun.
- A long press on both earpieces simultaneously will activate or disable the low-latency mode. It can also be activated after connecting the earbuds with the Xiaomi Earbuds App. You can download the app from Play Store or App Store.
- Turning on Low Latency Mode is indicated via an audio alert when the pods are connected.
Microphone/Call Quality
We tried calling using the earbuds multiple times from different locations. The overall call quality is okay even though the voice clarity sometimes isn’t as clear.
Sometimes, a little bit of extra noise came through, but it wasn’t a huge problem and didn’t really cause any trouble during the calls.
Poco Pods Touch Controls
The manual tells you how to use the touch controls on the earbuds.
- If you tap them two times on either side, you can make the music start or stop, and you can also answer calls.
- Tapping them three times makes the next song play, or you can end a call if you want.
While using the POCO Pods for the first time, the touch part didn’t always work so well. But after using them for a while, the touch controls started working better without any problems.
Bluetooth 5.3 and Google Fast Pair
Connecting the earbuds to an Android phone is easy because of something called Google Fast Pair.
- All you need to do is turn on the Bluetooth on your phone, take the earbuds out of their case, and your phone will let you know they’re ready to connect.
- If you’re using an iPhone, you have to do the regular pairing process.
These earbuds come with Bluetooth v5.3, which helps keep the connection strong and steady for an extended period of time.
POCO Pods – Battery
POCO Pods come with a 440mAh battery in the case and a 34mAh battery in the pod. As per POCO’s claim, the POCO Pods have 30 hours of playback time on a single charge.
We used the pods for almost 6 hours continuously for a couple of days and by the end we still has almost 30% power remaining. This signifies that even in practical use, the pods do provide close to 30 hours of playback.
As for charging, the C-type charging port enables fast charging for the case.
Verdict
The POCO Pods wireless earbuds give you what you’d usually get from earbuds in this price segment.
They’re simple earbuds, but they work pretty well for the music most people who want affordable earbuds like to listen to.
The POCO Pods might not have super loud sound or any customisation features or App support, but they’re decent enough for relaxed listening.
These can be good when you’re outside, thanks to how they block out some noise. The battery also lasts quite a decent amount of time.
If you are looking for a decent pair of TWS earbuds that does its job and doesn’t make too much dent in your pocket, POCO Pods could be a good choice to go with.
POCO Pods – My Mobiles Rating
Design – 3/5
Comfort and Fit – 3.5/5
Sound Quality – 3/5
Battery Life – 3.5/5
Features – 3/5
Overall Performance – 3/5
Buy POCO Pods For
- Affordability and good value for money
- Good noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit and decent design
- Good sound quality in some genres
- Good battery life
Don’t Buy POCO Pods For
- Details and punch in sound missing
- Sound isn’t too loud
- Regular design, nothing fancy
- No customisation on Xiaomi Earbuds App
FAQs
Q1. What is the price of POCO Pods?
Answer. POCO Pods’ price in India is Rs. 1199. These earbuds are exclusively available on the e-commerce platform Flipkart.
Q2. How does the POCO Pods touch control work?
Answer. Both earbuds are equipped with touch sensors that allow you to control music and calls with a finger tap. By tapping the pods twice, you can play/pause the music and answer the call, and by tapping it thrice, you can skip to the next track and reject/end a call.
Also Read: Poco Pods Launched in India: Check Specifications, Price & Features