The POCO X5 Pro 5G is a mid-range smartphone that aims to deliver a powerful and stylish experience without breaking the bank. Launched in February 2024, it boasts a sleek design, capable performance, and a long-lasting battery, making it a compelling option for users seeking a well-rounded device.
Striking Design and Display:
The first impression of the POCO X5 Pro is its sleek and lightweight design. It comes in three color options – Astral Black, Horizon Blue, and Poco Yellow – and features a glossy plastic back that feels comfortable in the hand. Despite being slightly thicker than some flagship phones, it remains remarkably light at just 189 grams.
The front of the phone is dominated by a large 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to smooth visuals and a responsive experience, whether you’re scrolling through social media, playing games, or watching videos. The display delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, making it enjoyable for multimedia consumption.
Performance Packed with Potential:
Under the hood, the POCO X5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, built on a 6nm process. This chipset offers decent performance for everyday tasks and can handle most games at moderate settings. While it may not be the most powerful option on the market, it provides a good balance between performance and battery efficiency.
The phone comes in two RAM configurations – 6GB and 8GB – paired with 128GB or 256GB of storage. Additionally, POCO’s RAM Expansion technology allows you to virtually expand RAM by up to 5GB using storage space, further enhancing multitasking capabilities.
Camera System for Everyday Needs:
The POCO X5 Pro features a quad-camera system on the back, consisting of a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth sensor. While the 108MP sensor sounds impressive on paper, real-world photos often lack detail and sharpness, especially in low-light conditions. The ultrawide and macro sensors are decent for capturing occasional landscape shots and close-up details, but their overall performance is average.
The front-facing camera is a 16MP sensor, which delivers decent selfies and video calls. However, it may struggle in low-lighting scenarios.
Long-Lasting Battery and Fast Charging:
The POCO X5 Pro packs a 5000mAh battery, which can easily last a full day on a single charge with moderate usage. Even heavy users should be able to get through a workday without needing to reach for the charger.
When it comes to charging, the phone supports 67W fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery in under an hour. This is a significant advantage, especially for users who are constantly on the go.
Software and User Experience:
The POCO X5 Pro runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13. While MIUI offers a wide range of customization options and features, it can also come with bloatware and unnecessary notifications. Users who prefer a cleaner and stock Android experience might need to invest some time in personalization.
Verdict: A Capable Mid-Range Contender:
The POCO X5 Pro is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a good balance of features and affordability. It boasts a sleek design, a vibrant display, decent performance, and a long-lasting battery. However, the camera system might not be ideal for photography enthusiasts, and the software experience might require some customization.
Overall, the POCO X5 Pro is a good option for users who prioritize a stylish design, smooth performance, and long battery life at a competitive price point. However, if you prioritize camera quality or a clean software experience, you might want to consider other options in the market.
