Poca X6 Neo Review: A Mid-Range smartphone

The brand’s latest X series entry is the POCO X6 Neo 5G. There is a lot to say about this phone, but before we get into the details, let us address the elephant in the room. The new POCO phone has the same specifications as the Redmi Note 13 5G (review), except the latter’s extra ultra-wide camera sensor. In fact, most of the changes between the two phones are related to the camera or the software. However, the actual test of a smartphone is its functionality in regular use. This is where we can find out whether it stands out in its category and provides good value for money. Even if we exclude the Redmi handset, numerous reliable handsets with amazing specifications are in this price bracket. Does the POCO phone have any special features that make it a better buy? To learn more, see my detailed assessment below.

POCA X6 NEO KEY FEATURES

The Poco X6 Neo is the most economical model in the X6 lineup. The two variants in the lineup, the X6 and X6 Pro, incorporate components from Xiaomi’s Redmi line of handsets. However, the X6 Neo is just a rebranded Redmi Note 13R Pro. We haven’t looked at that model yet, so this is an excellent opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

The X6 Neo, as the series’ cheapest variant, lacks several of the features of the more expensive models. You receive a single useable camera on the back, and the chip is lowered to a MediaTek Dimensity 6080. Still, there are some intriguing features to look forward to, including the design, which is said to be the thinnest for a Poco device, the 120Hz AMOLED display, and the lossless 3x zoom on the 108MP camera.

POCA X6 NEO UNBOXING

The Poco X6 Neo ships in the standard black and yellow Poco packaging. Inside, you will find the phone, a 33W charger, and a USB-A to USB-C converter.

A black silicone case is also included in the box. The cover adds nothing to the phone’s thickness and has a convenient cutout for the fingerprint sensor on the power button, making it easy to find without looking. There is also a slightly stiff USB port flap. However, the casing leaves a huge gap at the back for the camera for solely cosmetic reasons, making the area vulnerable to harm.

CAMERA

The Poco X6 Neo has a notable 108MP Dual AI Camera with an excellent f/1.75 aperture and 3x lossless in-sensor Zoom, which is a standout feature for its price point. This powerful camera arrangement promises to capture every moment with breathtaking detail and clarity, whether it’s a beautiful panorama or a close-up view.

A 16MP Selfie Camera complements the rear camera’s capabilities, appealing to selfie fans with finesse. The selfie camera, which comes with a variety of film filters and camera modes, expands users’ creative potential by allowing them to experiment with different effects and expressions to capture the perfect photo. From shooting beautiful panoramas to taking Instagram-worthy selfies, the Poco X6 Neo’s camera system provides adaptability and excellence, allowing users to express their creativity and chronicle life’s most memorable moments with incomparable clarity and richness.

According to Poco, the phone’s most valued attribute is its dual camera system, which consists of a 108MP main camera and a wide-angle lens. However, the second camera is a 2MP depth sensor designed for portraiture. Despite the lack of a dedicated telephoto camera, the high-resolution sensor enables in-sensor zoom, resulting in excellent photos even when magnified three times. The camera can capture clear photographs, including close-ups with good detail. Portraits were created with a beautiful bokeh and natural tones. Overall, provided enough light is directed to the sensor, the system can produce good results without making any annoying noises. The only fault we discovered was the camera’s significant warm cast inside in mixed and tricky lighting. The front camera is a 16MP device.

DESIGN AND SCREEN

The POCO X6 Neo features a simple design language and is available in Astral Black and Martian Orange colors. Notably, this is the thinnest POCO phone ever produced. The handset is just 7.69mm thick. The phone weighs 175 grams and feels fairly light in the hand.

The phone includes a fingerprint sensor incorporated in the power button, which is easy to reach and operate. The phone has a 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 1000 nits of peak brightness. With its punch-hole design, the phone provides an immersive experience (93.3 percent screen-to-body ratio).

The phone has bright colors (excellent for multimedia consumption) and decent outside visibility. You get helpful features like a 3.5mm audio connector and an IR blaster for extra usefulness.

The back is all plastic, yet it does not feel cheap in the hand, and it has a gradient effect that interacts with light and ripples across the surface. And, thanks to its matte texture, you’ll no longer have to continually wipe away fingerprints. POCO’s iconic huge rectangular camera bump offers a distinct design, however, it causes the phone to shake somewhat when laid down. The fingerprint sensor is built into the power button, and it works quickly and reliably every time I use it.

HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?

The Poco X6 Neo has plenty of RAM and storage options, including 8GB and 12GB of RAM and 128GB and 256GB of storage. However, the performance is limited by the inadequate MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC. Games work smoothly with modest graphical settings. However, we never got a game to run faster than 63 fps. The device remains somewhat warm most of the time.

The X6 Neo runs Android 13, and the MIUI 14 interface has its share of bloatware, as expected. Even with a small number of apps and games installed, touch and scrolling seemed slow. Although not surprising for a low-cost phone, a large amount of RAM and display specifications promise far more than they provide. Although the FHD+ display provides a nice visual experience, the solitary speaker detracts from the fun, particularly when playing games without headphones. The phone has a 5000 mAh battery that can last for more than a day and a half with moderate use.

The device runs MIUI 14 and comes with various pre-installed apps out of the box. Some of the phone’s most useful features are Dual Apps and Floating Windows. The former allows you to run two instances of the same software and utilize two accounts on the same phone. The latter allows quick access to the most frequently used apps. The Second Space function lets you create an additional account on your phone. This could be beneficial if you want to hand up your phone to someone else but do not want to jeopardize your privacy.

Buy it if...

• The 120Hz AMOLED display is both immersive and vivid.
• The phone’s thin form makes it comfortable to hold.
• The IR blaster is a handy feature to have.
• The primary 108MP camera is capable of taking detailed images.

Don't buy it if…

• Lacks an ultra-wide camera.
• Runs older Android 13 with MIUI 14, which includes bloatware.
• The mid-range processor makes it unsuitable for power users and intensive gamers.
• Edge detection in portrait mode may be uneven.

FULL SPECIFICATION