Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has carved a niche in the smartphone market by offering feature-rich devices at competitive prices. Their latest offering, the Poco X6 Neo, has generated significant buzz. Is it, however, worth the hype? Let’s delve into the Poco X6 Neo’s price, detailed specifications, features, and potential strengths and weaknesses to see if it truly deserves the title of “budget beast.”
Price and Availability
The Poco X6 Neo entered the Indian market on March 18th, 2024. It comes in two storage variants:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage: This base variant carries a price tag of ₹15,999 (approximately USD 190).
- 12GB RAM + 256GB storage: For users seeking more storage and multitasking capabilities, this variant is priced at ₹17,999 (approximately USD 215).
The phone is available in three colour options – Astral Black, Horizon Blue, and Martian Orange – catering to diverse preferences. It’s available for purchase through Flipkart, with potential future availability on other online and offline retailers.
Detailed Specifications
The Poco X6 Neo boasts an array of impressive specifications for its price range:
- Display: A large 6.67-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2400) AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate ensures a visually immersive experience, ideal for watching videos, gaming, and scrolling.
- Processor: The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC, a capable Poco X6 Neo Processor that can handle everyday tasks, light gaming, and multitasking with ease. While not a top-of-the-line chip, it offers good performance at a competitive price.
- Camera: The rear camera system features a triple-sensor setup. The primary sensor is a much-anticipated 108MP Sony IMX890 with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This sensor is known for capturing excellent photos, especially in low-light conditions. It’s accompanied by secondary sensors, likely an ultrawide and a macro lens, to capture a wider variety of shots. The secondary sensors have not revealed their exact details yet, but they should provide decent capability for capturing wider landscapes and close-up details. On the front, a 16MP selfie camera caters to video calls and capturing selfies.
- Battery: The phone packs a decent 5000mAh battery, a staple in the Poco series. This should provide a full day’s charge for most users, with moderate usage stretching to two days.
- Charging: Poco is known for its fast-charging technology, and the X6 Neo is no exception. It supports 33W fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups and eliminating the anxiety of a dying phone.
- Software: The phone is expected to run on the latest Android 13 operating system with Poco’s custom UI. This custom UI might offer additional features and customization options compared to stock Android.
- Other Features: A side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides a convenient way to unlock the phone. The phone also supports AI face unlock for added security.
Potential Strengths
The Poco X6 Neo boasts several strengths that make it a compelling option for budget-conscious users:
- Powerful Processor: The MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC offers good performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Exceptional Camera: The 108MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with OIS can capture stunning photos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Smooth Display: The 120Hz AMOLED display ensures a smooth and visually pleasing viewing experience.
- Long-lasting Battery: The 5000mAh battery and 33W fast charging offer convenience and peace of mind.
- Competitive Price: The Poco X6 Neo delivers good value for the Poco X6 Neo price, making it an attractive option for budget-minded users.
Potential Weaknesses
While the Poco X6 Neo appears promising, there are a few aspects to consider:
- Unconfirmed Secondary Camera Details: Some uncertainty about the capabilities of the secondary ultrawide and macro sensors persists as their exact specifications are still being determined.
- Potential Rebrand: There have been rumours that the Poco X6 Neo might be a rebranded version of an existing Xiaomi phone. This could be a disappointment for users expecting a significant upgrade.
- Lack of Water Resistance: Water resistance is becoming increasingly common in smartphones, even in the mid-range segment. The absence
