Poco M6 Plus 5G Review: How does it stack up in the budget segment?

When I first got my hands on the Poco M6 Plus, I was curious to see how this budget-friendly device would perform. Poco has been known for delivering good value for money, and with the M6 Plus, they are targeting users who want a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank. After using it for a few weeks, I have a pretty clear picture of what this phone offers and where it stands in the crowded market of budget smartphones. Also Read: Poco M6 Plus 5G launched with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE: Check price, full specs

But before we dive into the details, let’s take a look at its specifications:

Let’s delve into the critical aspects of the Poco M6 Plus 5G in detail.

Design

The first thing that struck me about the Poco M6 Plus is its design. The smartphone boasts a sleek, modern design with a plastic back that offers a good grip. The device, with its relatively lightweight and comfortable build, is perfect for one-handed use. The camera module is positioned in a way that adds a bit of character to the design, and the branding is minimal, which I appreciate.

The build quality is decent for the price. It’s not a premium device, so you shouldn’t expect metal or glass, but the plastic used here feels sturdy. The buttons are tactile, and the overall construction seems durable enough to withstand everyday use.

One thing I did notice, though, is that the phone is a bit on the larger side. It has a 6.8-inch display, so it might be a bit unwieldy if you have smaller hands. That said, it’s not a dealbreaker but something to keep in mind if you prefer more compact devices.

Display

Speaking of the display, the screen delivers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it a perfect companion for media consumption and gaming. While the LCD panel doesn’t offer the deep blacks and high contrast ratios of AMOLED displays, it still provides a pleasant viewing experience for its price range. The viewing angles are decent, though not as wide as what you’d get on a more expensive device.

One area where the display falls short is brightness. In indoor settings, it’s perfectly fine, but it can be hard to see under direct sunlight. I found myself squinting at the screen when using it outdoors on a sunny day. It’s not a significant issue, but it’s something to consider if you spend a lot of time outside.

There’s no high refresh rate here, which is understandable given the price, but I didn’t find it to be a huge issue. The display is responsive enough for everyday tasks like scrolling through social media, browsing the web, and playing casual games. Overall, the screen is one of the better ones I’ve seen in this price range.

Performance

During my time with the Poco M6 Plus, I didn’t experience any significant slowdowns or lag. It handles multitasking well, and app switching is swift. The chipset is capable of handling everyday tasks such as browsing the internet, social media, and video streaming.

I tested a few games on the M6 Plus, including some graphically intensive ones like Clash of Clans. While it won’t deliver flagship-level performance, the phone can handle these games at medium settings without too much trouble. There were occasional frame drops during intense moments, but nothing that made the games unplayable.

One thing I noticed is that the phone gets a bit warm during extended gaming sessions. It’s not uncomfortable, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re a heavy gamer.

Software

While Poco’s customization makes the software experience useful, you get an old Android version, meaning the latest features may not be available, and it comes with its own set of pros and cons. On the positive side, it’s feature-rich. You get a lot of customization options, from themes to icon packs, and plenty of useful features are baked in, like a screen recorder, dual apps, and a robust security app.

However, MIUI is also known for its bloatware, and the Poco M6 Plus is no exception. There are quite a few pre-installed apps that I found unnecessary, and some of them can’t be uninstalled. It’s not a huge deal, but it does take up some storage space and can be a bit annoying.

In terms of updates, Poco has a decent track record, but it’s not the fastest when it comes to delivering new versions of Android. If having the latest software is important to you, this might be something to consider. That said, MIUI 13 is stable and functional, so I didn’t encounter any significant issues during my time with the phone.

Camera

Now, let’s talk about the camera. In good lighting conditions, the 50MP camera can capture some nice shots. The colors are fairly accurate, and the photos have great detail. The dynamic range isn’t the best, so highlights can get blown out in bright conditions, but overall, the camera performs well for casual photography.

In low light, the performance drops off a bit. The camera struggles to focus, and there’s a noticeable drop in detail. There is a night mode that helps brighten up the scene, but it’s not going to work miracles. The 2MP depth sensor does a decent job with portrait shots, but don’t expect the kind of bokeh you’d get from a higher-end device.

The 8MP front camera is adequate for selfies and video calls, though it could be better in its class. It includes AI beautification features that smooth out skin tones and enhance facial features, which are appealing for social media use. Even the front camera offers portrait mode, allowing for selfies with a blurred background effect, but it struggles in low-light situations, leading to grainy selfies with reduced detail. Additionally, the front camera lacks a dedicated night mode, which could improve low-light performance for selfies.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Poco M6 Plus 5G is its battery life. During my testing, I consistently got through a day with around 20-30 percent battery left, even with a mix of browsing, video streaming, and some gaming.

If you’re a light user, you could probably stretch the battery life to two days. There’s also support for 18W fast charging, which isn’t the quickest, but it’s better than nothing. It takes a little over two hours to charge the phone entirely, which is pretty standard for this price range.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Poco M6 Plus 5G offers a wide range of connectivity options, including dual-SIM support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, and 5G. It also features a fast, accurate side-mounted fingerprint sensor and face unlock for convenience.

There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare these days, so that’s a nice bonus. The phone has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which I found to be fast and reliable. Face unlock is also available, but it’s not as secure as the fingerprint sensor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Poco M6 Plus is a solid budget smartphone that offers good value for money. It’s not perfect—there are some compromises, like the lack of a high refresh rate and the average camera performance—but it’s hard to complain about the price. The phone delivers smooth performance, a decent display, and excellent battery life, all wrapped up in a stylish design.

If you’re looking for a reliable smartphone that won’t break the bank, the Poco M6 Plus is definitely worth considering. It’s a phone that does the basics well and even throws in a few extras, making it a great option for budget-conscious buyers.