Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, recently launched the C61 in India, targeting the budget smartphone segment. The phone prioritizes affordability while offering a few noteworthy features like a 90Hz display and a large battery. Let’s delve deeper into the Poco C61 to see if it fits your needs.
Display and Design
The Poco C61 boasts a sizeable 6.71-inch LCD display with an HD+ (1650 x 720 pixels) resolution. While not the sharpest, it offers a smooth user experience with a 90Hz refresh rate. This means scrolling, swiping, and navigating menus feels fluid compared to traditional 60Hz displays. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering some scratch resistance.
The design of the Poco C61 follows the current trend of large displays with a waterdrop notch housing the front-facing camera. The back panel features a “Radiant Ring” design, which Poco claims adds a touch of elegance. It comes in three color options: Diamond Dust Black, Ethereal Blue, and Mystical Green.
Performance and Software
The Poco C61 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 processor, a budget-oriented chipset commonly found in this price range. It’s paired with either 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage. Don’t expect top-tier performance for demanding games or heavy multitasking, but it should handle everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media, and streaming videos adequately.
The phone runs Android 14 out of the box, which is a plus for a budget device. This ensures you have access to the latest features and security updates from Google. Poco may add its own custom user interface on top, but specific details are unavailable yet.
Cameras
The camera department on the Poco C61 is fairly basic. The rear setup features an 8-megapixel primary sensor and an unspecified secondary sensor, likely for depth effects. Don’t expect stellar image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The front-facing camera for selfies comes in at 5 megapixels.
Battery and Connectivity
The Poco C61 packs a 5000mAh battery, which is a typical capacity for budget phones and should provide good endurance on a single charge. However, the phone only supports 10W charging, which can feel slow compared to some competitors offering fast charging solutions.
In terms of connectivity, the Poco C61 offers the essentials like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.40, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. It also includes a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, most likely side-mounted.
Price and Availability
The Poco C61 is a budget-friendly option in India, with the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant starting at Rs. 6,999 (approximately $85). The 6GB RAM + 128GB storage version goes for Rs. 7,999 (approximately $97). It will be available for purchase starting March 28th through Flipkart.
