POCO, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has carved a niche for itself in the smartphone market by offering feature-packed devices at competitive prices. The POCO X5 Pro builds upon this legacy, boasting impressive specifications targeted towards power users on a budget. Let’s delve into the details and see if the X5 Pro lives up to the POCO promise.
Display and Design: A Visual Delight
The POCO X5 Pro flaunts a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional clarity, making it ideal for watching videos, gaming, or browsing content. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering some degree of scratch resistance.
The design of the X5 Pro is modern and sleek. The back panel is crafted from plastic with a glossy finish that might attract fingerprints. However, the phone comes with a protective case in the box, mitigating this concern. The rear camera module adopts a familiar rectangular shape, housing the primary sensors and a flash. The phone is available in three color options: Astral Black, Cosmic Blue, and Poco Yellow, catering to different tastes.
Performance: Power Under the Hood
The POCO X5 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, a capable mid-range processor. This octa-core chip delivers fluid performance for everyday tasks, light gaming, and multitasking. POCO offers the X5 Pro in multiple RAM and storage configurations, allowing users to choose the variant that best suits their needs. The base model comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while higher tiers offer 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Camera System: Capturing Memories
The POCO X5 Pro features a quad-camera system on the rear. The primary sensor is a high-resolution 108MP unit that captures crisp and detailed photos in good lighting conditions. It is accompanied by an ultrawide sensor, a macro lens for close-up shots, and a depth sensor for enhanced portrait photography. While the megapixel count of the primary sensor is impressive, low-light performance might be a compromise in this mid-range offering. The front-facing camera utilizes a 16MP sensor for selfies and video calls.
Battery Life and Charging: Powering Through the Day
The POCO X5 Pro packs a large 5000mAh battery, promising ample endurance on a single charge. This is further complemented by support for 67W fast charging, allowing you to quickly refuel the device when needed. With moderate usage, you can expect the phone to last a full day or even longer.
Software and User Experience
The POCO X5 Pro runs on MIUI 14, a custom user interface based on Android 13. MIUI offers a plethora of features and customizations, but it can also come with pre-installed bloatware. Users who prefer a stock Android experience might need to spend some time debloating the software.
Verdict: A Compelling Mid-Range Option
The POCO X5 Pro delivers a compelling package for users seeking a feature-rich mid-range smartphone. The phone boasts a stunning display, a capable processor, a versatile camera system, and a long-lasting battery. While low-light camera performance might be a concern, and the software experience might not suit everyone, the X5 Pro offers excellent value for its price point.
