The Poco F6 5G has officially launched in India, making waves as the first device in the country to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. This new entrant in the competitive mid-range segment promises a lot of value for its price, reminiscent of the well-received Poco X6 Pro. After spending a few days with the device, here are our initial thoughts.

Design

The Poco F6 5G sports a polycarbonate rear panel with a matte finish, which is resistant to fingerprints. The design includes a plastic frame and a dual-camera setup, featuring two large camera rings and a flash circle on the top left corner. Unlike its predecessor, the Poco F5, this model opts for a dual-camera setup instead of a triple camera. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone port, it retains features like the IR blaster. The rear panel is a bit slippery, but the overall build is ergonomic and easy to grip.

The front showcases a 6.67-inch AMOLED LTPS panel with 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 94.7% screen-to-body ratio. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and offers an IP64 rating for water and dust resistance. The slightly thicker chin and thin bezels enhance the viewing experience, making the phone feel premium despite its competitive pricing.

Performance

The highlight of the Poco F6 5G is its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a powerful processor that borrows its architecture from the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. During our brief testing, the performance was exceptional, handling daily tasks and gaming with ease. The device comes with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, available in two variants: 8GB RAM with 256GB storage and 12GB RAM with 512GB storage, priced at Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 31,999, respectively.

Cameras

Poco has upgraded the camera setup, featuring a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 primary sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and OIS, and an 8-megapixel Sony IMX335 ultra-wide-angle lens with a 119-degree field of view. The main camera’s wide aperture is a standout, promising better low-light performance. For selfies, there’s a 20-megapixel front camera. Initial impressions suggest a significant improvement over previous models, but further testing will reveal the full potential of these sensors.

Battery and Software

The device houses a 5,000mAh battery with 90W fast charging support, and a 120W fast charger is included in the box. This is a noteworthy feature, ensuring rapid charging times. The Poco F6 5G runs on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS based on Android 14, offering several AI features like AI Image Expansion, AI Eraser Pro, and AI Bokeh, enhancing the overall user experience.

Conclusion

The Poco F6 5G is positioned as a strong contender in the mid-range market, offering a robust Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, an impressive camera setup, and fast charging capabilities. While our initial impressions are positive, we recommend waiting for our full review to see how it stacks up against the competition in various parameters. Stay tuned for a comprehensive analysis!