Poco F6 Review: Comprehensive Analysis
Design
The Poco F6 opts for a minimalistic design with a plastic back and frame, featuring a smooth, non-slippery finish that resists fingerprints and smudges. The Titanium variant, with its subtle glimmer under light, stands out as the more visually appealing option. The back panel includes two large circular camera rings, accompanied by a circular LED flash. While the oversized camera design might not appeal to everyone, the chamfered edges make the phone comfortable to hold. Weighing just 179 grams and measuring 7.8mm in thickness, the Poco F6 feels lightweight and premium in hand.
The front of the device features Gorilla Glass Victus protection, slim bezels, and a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera, achieving an impressive 94.2% screen-to-body ratio. The in-display fingerprint scanner, though placed slightly low, works efficiently.
Specifications and Software
The Poco F6 debuts Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm fabrication process. It’s paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, providing powerful performance. Connectivity options include dual SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, an IR blaster, and GPS support.
The device runs on Android 14-based HyperOS, promising three major Android updates and four years of security patches. HyperOS adds features like AI Gesture control, AI Eraser Pro, and AI Bokeh. While some AI features, such as object removal, work decently, others, like AI Gesture control, feel gimmicky due to inconsistent performance.
The 5,000mAh battery supports 90W fast charging, though the included 120W charger caps charging speed. Expect a full charge in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the Poco F6 delivers smooth performance in real-world usage and benchmarks. In AnTuTu v10, it scores an impressive 1,457,491 points, and on Geekbench 6, it achieves 1,835 (single-core) and 4,693 (multi-core). Gaming performance is equally robust, with smooth gameplay on titles like BGMI and Genshin Impact at high settings.
Display and Sound
The 6.67-inch LTPS AMOLED display offers 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, delivering vivid colors and excellent outdoor readability. Audio quality is solid, with loud hybrid speakers that maintain clarity even at full volume.
Cameras
The dual-camera setup includes a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Daylight shots from the primary sensor are detailed with good dynamic range, while low-light performance is decent, though some grain is noticeable. The ultra-wide lens performs well in daylight but struggles in low light.
Selfies from the 20MP front camera are sharp and natural in good lighting, though noise becomes evident in low-light conditions. The phone supports 4K video recording at 60fps, but stabilization is only effective at 1080p 30fps.
Battery Life
The Poco F6 excels in battery performance, lasting 21 hours in video loop tests and easily over a day and a half with regular use. Even with gaming and heavy multitasking, screen-on time remains around six hours.
Price
The Poco F6 is priced competitively, starting at $449 USD for the base variant (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) and going up to $529 USD for the top-tier variant (12GB RAM + 512GB storage).
Verdict
The Poco F6 strikes a balance between performance, display quality, and value, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment. However, its cameras could use some improvement. Competing models like the Realme 12 Pro+ and Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offer better camera setups, while the Poco F6 shines in gaming and overall performance.
For users prioritizing gaming, display quality, and software experience, the Poco F6 is an excellent choice and a near-flagship killer. At its price point, it offers fantastic value for money and earns a solid recommendation.
