POCO X6 Pro review: A terrific bargain

Phone pricing trending upward is as inevitable because the regular march of time, however manufacturers like POCO someway handle to ship an excellent worth with each new launch. This is especially poignant in 2024 as its mother or father model Xiaomi determined it does not need to promote funds telephones within the Redmi Note collection, rising the highlight on POCO’s portfolio.To its credit score, POCO did a terrific job with the X collection during the last 4 years, delivering gadgets with good all-round {hardware}. Last 12 months’s POCO X5 Pro undercut its rivals by a big margin, and whereas the cameras weren’t nice, the system had a robust exhibiting within the funds section.POCO is introducing a slate of attractive upgrades this 12 months; the X6 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8300 platform, the 120Hz AMOLED panel is sort of twice as shiny as final 12 months, and also you get 256GB of storage as normal with the bottom mannequin. There’s a greater digicam on the again, and what I notably like is that the system comes with Android 14 out of the field. And sure, it makes use of HyperOS as an alternative of MIUI, and it is ironic that POCO will get to launch a tool globally with Xiaomi’s newest software program.In a manner, that is nice information if you happen to’re within the X6 Pro. The system has appreciable upgrades, and it nonetheless gives the identical nice worth as its predecessors. So if you happen to’re seeking to swap to a brand new telephone this 12 months, this is why you might want to think about POCO’s newest providing.POCO X6 Pro: Price and launch date(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO unveiled the X6 collection on January 11, 2024, and the gadgets at the moment are up on the market in India and the U.Ok. There’s a normal mannequin of the POCO X6 that’s powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, and the 8GB/256GB model is debuting at ₹21,999 ($265). There’s additionally a 12GB/256GB mannequin that is out there for ₹23,999 ($290), and a 12GB/512GB mannequin that is retailing at simply ₹24,999 ($301).But it is the POCO X6 Pro that’s the more sensible choice, and it’s out there beginning at ₹26,999 ($325) for the 8GB/256GB version, and ₹28,999 ($350) for the 12GB/512GB mannequin. What’s fascinating is that each the X6 and X6 Pro handle to undercut the Redmi Note Pro collection.Over within the U.Ok., the POCO X6 is on the market in a single 12GB/256GB variant for £319 ($406), and the X6 Pro is promoting in a 12GB/512GB possibility that may be purchased for £349 ($444), £20 ($470) off its retail value.If the X6 Pro appears to be like acquainted, it’s as a result of the system is similar to the Redmi Ok70E that launched in China again in November. As is normally the case, gadgets within the Ok collection are usually offered below the POCO label globally, and that has been the case for some time now. So regardless that that is an current system, the X6 Pro marks the worldwide debut of this explicit {hardware} configuration.POCO X6 Pro: Design(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO’s viewers skews youthful, so the model’s mandate is to provide you with fascinating designs and shade choices that you simply simply do not get on Xiaomi and Redmi telephones. That’s the case with the X6 Pro as nicely, and the intense yellow shade illustrates that time very nicely. If you suppose the design is ostentatious, the telephone can also be offered in far more muted black and gray variants.The different fashions have a normal polycarbonate again, and the yellow model has a vegan leather-based possibility that is nice to carry and use. It does not fairly convey the identical in-hand really feel as flagships with a leather-based again — the OnePlus Open and Vivo X90 Pro come to thoughts — however contemplating the system prices considerably much less, getting a leather-based possibility is a giant deal in and of itself.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO is understood for its outsized digicam modules, and issues are not any completely different on the X6 Pro. The digicam island is a big rectangle that extends throughout the width, and it does an excellent job differentiating the design. The glass island additionally has a manner sample beneath, and it appears to be like fairly cool. The digicam modules get particular person rings, they usually’re organized in a grid — with the LED flash getting its personal enclosure. The modules do not protrude an excessive amount of from the chassis, so you do not get any noticeable wobble when utilizing the telephone on a desk.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The sides are made out of polycarbonate as nicely, however that is not instantly evident. The energy button is coated yellow, and it sits beneath the amount rocker. The remainder of the ports are normal; the USB-C port is on the backside subsequent to the SIM card tray, and also you get an IR blaster together with stereo sound.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)While it is not the identical because the IP68 ingress safety that you simply get on Xiaomi’s mid-range telephones, the X6 Pro comes with IP54 mud and water resistance, and that is ok to resist the occasional splash of water or inclement climate circumstances.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Coming in at simply 190g, the X6 Pro is noticeably lighter than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ whereas nonetheless providing the identical battery, and whereas it’s in no way a small telephone, it has good in-hand really feel. On the entire, POCO did a terrific job as ordinary on the design aspect of issues, and the X6 Pro ticks all the fitting containers.POCO X6 Pro: Display(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO is utilizing a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel this time round, and it has 120Hz refresh, decision of 1220 x 2712, and Dolby Vision integration. If all of that sounds acquainted, it is as a result of it’s the similar panel that is used within the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ as nicely — it even goes as much as 1,800 nits in HDR content material, and as much as 1,200 nits in every day use.And similar to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, I’ve zero points with the panel. Colors are vibrant, viewing angles are nice, and also you get glorious distinction ranges. The default Vivid mode appears to be like nice out of the field, however you may at all times tweak the colour stability must you want to take action — it is a normal characteristic on all Xiaomi telephones.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Streaming content material appears to be like nice on the panel, and with Widevine L1, you will not run into any points within the likes of Netflix and YouTube. The solely quirk is that the 120Hz mode is not chosen out of the field, so you might want to manually set it up. And on that topic, whilst you get an always-on mode, it does not really keep on all through — it solely prompts for as much as 10 seconds while you faucet the display screen whereas it’s off, and wakes the panel when there is a notification, but it surely does not keep on on a regular basis.The bezels are noticeably thinner than final 12 months, and also you get an in-display fingerprint module that does a good job. While it’s quick to authenticate, it’s situated just a little decrease on the display screen, making it awkward to entry. Other than that, this is among the finest panels you may get on this class.POCO X6 Pro: Performance and battery(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO is understood to ship an excellent worth with its gadgets, and the X6 Pro does a very good job on this space. The system is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra, and it’s considerably extra highly effective than what we received final 12 months. Interestingly, it outshines the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ as nicely, with the X6 Pro at present the quickest system in Xiaomi’s sub-$400 portfolio.The Dimensity 8300 Ultra options Arm’s v9 Cortex A715 and A520 cores, and it goes as much as 3.35GHz. The Mali-G615 GPU is well-suited for gaming, and it is a key promoting level of the system; as I mentioned earlier, POCO targets a youthful viewers with its gadgets, so it prioritizes gaming over different options like digicam tuning. As a consequence, the X6 Pro is among the finest in its class at taking part in demanding titles.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryPOCO X6 ProOSHyperOS 1.0 primarily based on Android 14Display6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED, 2712×1220, Dolby Vision, 1,800 nits, Gorilla Glass 5ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra, Mali G615-MC6, 4nmRAM8GB/12GB LPDDR4XStorage256GB/512GB UFS 4.0Rear digicam 164MP f/1.7, 0.7um, OIS, 4K at 30fpsRear digicam 28MP wide-angle, 120-degree FoVRear digicam 32MP macroFront digicam16MP f/2.4Ingress protectionIP54 mud and water resistanceConnectivityWi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, SafetyIn-screen optical fingerprintAudioUSB-C, stereo sound, 24-bit/192kHzBattery5000mAh battery, 67W chargingDimensions160.5 x 74.3 x 8.3mm, 190gColorsYellow, Black, GreyI did not see any slowdowns when taking part in visually-intensive titles, and whereas there was some throttling with prolonged use, the telephone was noticeably quicker than its predecessors. There have been no points in every day use both, and the system was optimized for the {hardware}. The solely quibble is that it will get sizzling throughout prolonged gaming periods — a lot in order that it will possibly get uncomfortable.POCO is doing all the fitting issues on the storage entrance. The X6 Pro has 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM together with 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage within the base mannequin, and also you get 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB editions, with the latter the one mannequin out there within the U.Ok. You get first rate connectivity as nicely, and in contrast to earlier years, NFC is on the market in most world markets.And coming to the battery aspect of issues, the X6 Pro managed to final all day with none points in any way. With medium use, I used to be capable of get the telephone to final a day and a half, and there’s no purpose to be troubled in regards to the battery working out earlier than the top of the day. The Dimensity 8300 is constructed on a 4nm node, and the effectivity beneficial properties mixed with the architectural tweaks to Arm’s newest cores means you get nice battery life even with heavy use.As for charging, the X6 Pro took simply over 46 minutes to totally cost through the bundled 67W charger, going as much as 50% in 18 minutes, and hitting 80% after 30 minutes. It’s not as quick because the 120W charging tech on the Note 13 Pro+, however it’s nonetheless greater than sufficient.POCO X6 Pro: Cameras(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)While POCO lavished numerous consideration in different areas, the cameras don’t get an enormous improve this time. The X6 Pro comes with a 64MP main lens with OIS, and it is joined by an 8MP wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. I’ve ranted sufficient occasions in regards to the login in together with a nugatory macro module, however the model is obstinate about this, and so that you get saddled with a digicam lens that is extra aggravating than helpful.Video recording is identical as final 12 months, and whereas MediaTek simply permits 4K video at 60fps, Xiaomi hasn’t bothered to incorporate the characteristic. The digicam interface is equally unchanged, and you may really feel proper at residence if you happen to’ve used a Xiaomi telephone prior to now.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Coming to the photographs, daylight photographs taken with the X6 Pro have good element and dynamic vary, and just like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, they’ve good shade rendition that does not look too saturated. The telephone does not do pretty much as good a job in low-light eventualities, and also you miss out on particulars and get loads of noise as an alternative. But what’s annoying is simply how lengthy the digicam takes to dial in on a topic in low-light eventualities — more often than not, the preliminary photographs you’re taking are sure to be blurry.In an analogous vein, the wide-angle lens is strictly common, and it does not fairly go muster in low-light circumstances. That mentioned, the digicam is marginally higher than what POCO fitted within the X5 Pro final 12 months, however once more, it is not anyplace pretty much as good because the likes of the Pixel 7a, Nothing Phone (2), and even the Galaxy A54.POCO X6 Pro: Software(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)When Xiaomi mentioned it was overhauling its software program from the bottom up, I used to be thrilled. I used MIUI from the very starting, and whereas I like numerous issues in regards to the interface, it picked up numerous bloatware lately, and the design was in want of a polish. So think about my shock after I received began with the X6 Pro, and located that HyperOS was almost indistinguishable to MIUI 14.Xiaomi made a giant deal about making a ton of adjustments to the interface, however you do not get to see a lot of these tweaks. Other than a slight change to the Control Center toggles and lock display screen customization that is akin to One UI 6 and iOS 17, the interface is similar to MIUI 14. I had to enter the settings to verify the telephone was in actual fact primarily based on the brand new HyperOS pores and skin and never simply MIUI 14.So yeah, HyperOS 1.0 is anticlimactic to say the least. What’s worse is that you simply nonetheless get all of the bloatware from MIUI, and the identical asinine battery administration. Honestly, I do not see why Xiaomi even determined to overtake the interface, as a result of because it stands, it does not really feel any completely different. It would have been one other factor altogether if the UI was far more easy in every day use, however that is not the case — it’s similar to MIUI 14 on this space.But what’s nice is that the X6 Pro will get three assured Android OS updates and 4 years of safety updates; that places it on par with most funds and mid-range telephones out there in the present day. Because it comes with Android 14 out of the field — not like the Redmi Note 13 collection — it is going to make the swap to Android 16 when that turns into out there.POCO X6 Pro: The competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)POCO is throwing down the worth gauntlet with the X6 Pro, and proper now, there aren’t as many gadgets that provide the similar caliber of {hardware} on this section. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ comes shut, and whereas its digicam takes marginally higher photographs in just a few eventualities, it runs outdated software program with loads of bloatware, and you might want to pay much more.The Pixel 6a remains to be an excellent wager in India, and the Pixel 7a is a good different if you happen to’re within the U.Ok. — if you will get it on a good deal. I additionally just like the OnePlus Nord 3, and that is an excellent possibility to contemplate as nicely. There will likely be loads of different gadgets launching over the approaching weeks, and I’m intrigued by the Nothing Phone 2a; the system ought to price about the identical because the X6 Pro, and if it manages to supply the identical design because the Phone (2) and the identical clear software program, it is going to appeal to numerous consideration.POCO X6 Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You can buy this if:You need the perfect worth within the funds sectionYou want a telephone that is nice for gamingYou need a vibrant AMOLED panel and 120Hz refreshYou want stellar battery life and quick chargingYou want long-term updatesYou should not purchase this if:You need clear software program with none bloatYou want good camerasYou intend to take numerous videosAfter utilizing the X6 Pro for the higher a part of two weeks, it is protected to say that POCO as soon as once more managed to nail the fundamentals. The display screen is terrific, the design has lots going for it, and there is sufficient energy right here to play demanding video games with ease. I additionally just like the elevated storage with the bottom mannequin, and also you get actually good battery life.What’s noteworthy is that the system comes with Xiaomi’s newest software program, and there is Android 14 out of the field. This in itself makes the X6 Pro a a lot better selection than the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, and truthfully, it’s proper up there with the perfect Xiaomi telephones with regards to worth. Ultimately, that is what makes the X6 Pro such a sensible choice if you happen to’re seeking to improve from an older system — it has all of the {hardware} you are on the lookout for, a terrific AMOLED panel, nice battery life, and a good design that stands out. It delivers all of those whereas costing lots lower than its rivals, and in international locations like India specifically, it sits unchallenged in its section.