Xiaomi Poco X6: A Feature-Packed Mid-Ranger or Just Hype?

The Xiaomi Poco X6, released in January 2024, promises a lot at an affordable price. Let’s break down its features to see if it stands out or gets lost in the crowded mid-range smartphone market.

Design: Sleek but Standard

The Xiaomi Poco X6 has a minimalist, sleek design with dimensions of 161.2 x 74.3 x 8 mm and a weight of just 181g. It’s easy to hold and feels light, but its plastic frame and back might disappoint users seeking a more premium feel. The front is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which provides good durability, and the phone also has an IP54 rating, meaning it is splash and dust resistant. Overall, it’s a well-designed phone, but the plastic materials might feel less premium.

Display: Bright and Vivid

The 6.67-inch AMOLED display on the Poco X6 is a standout feature. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for smooth scrolling and gaming. The screen’s resolution of 1220 x 2712 pixels with 446 ppi makes images and videos look sharp and vibrant. It also supports Dolby Vision and peaks at 1800 nits of brightness, ensuring great outdoor visibility. For users who love watching videos or gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X6 delivers an immersive experience with vibrant colors and smooth performance.

Performance: Fast but Not the Best

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Poco X6 is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset. This 4nm processor is efficient and offers good performance for daily tasks and casual gaming. The Octa-core CPU and Adreno 710 GPU ensure smooth operation for most applications. You can choose between 8GB or 12GB of RAM, making multitasking a breeze. It’s not the fastest phone on the market, but for the price, it delivers solid performance for everyday use. However, users looking for heavy gaming might find it a bit underwhelming compared to higher-end models.

Software: Future-Proof with HyperOS

The Xiaomi Poco X6 comes with Android 13 out of the box and the new HyperOS, ensuring a smooth user experience. Xiaomi promises up to three major Android upgrades, making it relatively future-proof. HyperOS combines the best of MIUI and stock Android, providing users with a clean and customizable interface. It’s user-friendly, but like other Xiaomi devices, it might come with some pre-installed apps that may not be useful for everyone.

Camera: Solid but Not Exceptional

The Xiaomi Poco X6 boasts a triple camera setup with a 64MP main sensor that features OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). This results in clear, crisp photos, especially in well-lit conditions. The 8MP ultra-wide camera is decent but doesn’t capture as much detail as expected, while the 2MP macro camera feels like an afterthought. The phone can record 4K videos at 30fps, which is a great feature for content creators.

The 16MP selfie camera is fairly standard, producing decent quality photos for social media. It can record 1080p videos at 30/60fps, which is good enough for video calls and casual content creation, but nothing extraordinary.

Battery Life: Impressive Endurance

The 5100 mAh battery on the Poco X6 is impressive and ensures all-day usage even for heavy users. It supports 67W fast charging, which can charge the phone to 100% in just 44 minutes, according to Xiaomi. This fast charging feature is a major plus, allowing users to quickly juice up their phones when needed. For a mid-range device, the battery life is a key highlight of the Xiaomi Poco X6.

Storage: No Expandable Option

The Xiaomi Poco X6 offers plenty of storage options, with models available in 256GB or 512GB of internal storage. However, it lacks a microSD card slot, which might be a drawback for users who prefer expandable storage. Despite this, the provided storage should be enough for most users, especially with the availability of UFS 2.2 for faster data access.

Connectivity and Extras

In terms of connectivity, the Poco X6 supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, dual SIM functionality, and NFC (which may vary depending on region). The inclusion of dual stereo speakers enhances the audio experience, making it suitable for media consumption. The phone retains the much-loved 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones, and it supports Hi-Res audio for better sound quality.

Pros and Cons of the Xiaomi Poco X6

Pros:

• Sleek design with Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
• 120Hz AMOLED display with bright and vibrant visuals.
• Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset offers solid performance for everyday tasks.
• Long-lasting 5100 mAh battery with 67W fast charging.
• Good value for money, offering many features at an affordable price.

Cons:

• Plastic build may feel less premium.
• No expandable storage option.
• Camera performance is decent but not exceptional, especially for low-light photography.
• Macro camera is not very useful in real-world scenarios.
• Pre-installed apps could be a downside for some users.

Final Verdict: Is the Xiaomi Poco X6 Worth It?

The Xiaomi Poco X6 is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers great value for money. With its 120Hz AMOLED display, good battery life, and Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, it caters to users looking for a reliable everyday phone. However, if you’re after a premium feel or top-notch camera performance, this phone may not fully meet your expectations. Despite some limitations, the Poco X6 stands out in its price range and is a great choice for budget-conscious users who want a well-rounded smartphone.

For its price, the Xiaomi Poco X6 offers a lot, making it an excellent option for anyone seeking a good mid-range phone without breaking the bank.