Poco surprised the smartphone market in 2018 with the release of the Poco F1, which maintained top-tier performance within the mid-range price segment. Since then, Poco’s F-series phones have grown synonymous with high-performance smartphones that are less expensive than flagships. With the release of the Poco F5 5G, the company hopes to return to its roots of offering high-end performance at a low price.
This mid-range smartphone outperforms expectations thanks to its exceptional performance, outstanding camera, and sleek design, all of which are consistent with its predecessors. Is the Poco F5 5G a good buy at its starting price of INR 29,999? This review will assist you in making that decision.
Specifications Table
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 |
| No of cores | 8 (octa core) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 |
| Height-Width | 6.34in-2.95in |
| Weight | 181 grams |
| Colours | Carbon Black, Sandstorm White, Elecric Blue |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Display Type | AMOLED, Dolby Vision, HDR 10+ |
| Colour Reproduction | 16M Colours |
| TouchScreen | Yes, Capacitive, Multi-Touch |
| Rear camera setup | Triple |
| Rear Camera | 64MP(Primary), 8MP(Secondary), 2MP(Tertiary) |
| Front camera | 16 MP Resolution |
| Flash | LED Rear flash |
| Video Resolution | 3840 x 2160 @ 30 fps |
| Camera Features | Auto FlashAuto FocusFace detectionTouch to focus |
| Battery Type and capacity | Li-polymer, 5000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | Yes, Turbo 67W |
| Internal memory type | 256 GB, UFS 3.1 |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
| Custom UI | MIUI |
| SIM Configuration | Dual SIM |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.3 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, Side |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Other Sensor | Light SensorProximity SensorAccelerometerCompassGyroscope |
Design and Display
The Poco F5 has a modern and sophisticated design with the popular flat-edged look that is currently popular. Its sleek and lightweight design adds to its overall appeal, making it comfortable to hold and easy to transport. Furthermore, the rear panel is now made of plastic rather than glass, but the frame is made of aluminium. As a result, the smartphone weighs about 10 grams less than the Neo 7, weighing in at 182 grams.
The front of the device features a 6.67-inch display with a centrally located hole-punch cutout, giving users a nearly bezel-free viewing experience. The back of the phone has a simple yet elegant design, with a well-organised triple camera array and the Poco logo. The device’s overall clean appearance is enhanced by the minimalist look on the back. Although the back is made of polycarbonate, it feels sturdy and well-made, albeit less so than some of its competitors. The volume button is on the right side of the device, and there is a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as a SIM tray, at the bottom.
Overall, the Poco F5 provides a blend of style and functionality that will appeal to a wide range of smartphone users. The pattern on the back gives it a distinct identity, and it is done neatly, giving the design a high-end and impressive appearance.
The 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display on the POCO F5 has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes it one of the best displays on the market. The screen, according to POCO, has a peak brightness of up to 1000 nits.
Performance
The Poco F5 5G is a top performer in terms of performance. The phone is only available in 8+256GB and 12+256GB storage configurations. It introduces Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor in India, which has generated a lot of excitement due to its performance. After a few days of use, I can confidently say that it offers one of the best performances in its price range.
The phone does not disappoint when it comes to multitasking or running heavy apps and games. I used it as my primary phone, checking emails, Maps on Android Auto, running Slack, games, camera, and music, in addition to the usual social media scanning and calls.
Battery
The Poco F5 comes with a 5,000mAh battery, which, while not the largest in its class, provides consistent performance throughout the day. In addition to its lower-resolution display, the phone can last a full day for most moderate users, and possibly even longer for those who use it less frequently. Even so, knowing that my phone would not die on me during a long walk or a night out put me at ease. The Poco F5 supports 67W wired charging, allowing it to charge from 0 to 100% in just over an hour and from 0% to 20% in just 5 minutes.
Camera
The Poco F5 has three cameras: a 64-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, as well as a 2-megapixel macro camera. While the inclusion of three cameras is amazing, the quality of the macro camera is poor and adds little value to the device. The main and ultrawide cameras, on the other hand, capture detailed and vibrant images in well-lit environments but struggle in low-light situations.
The front-facing camera is good for selfies and video calls, but it struggles in low-light situations. The phone’s video recording capabilities are enough, with 4K video recording at 30 frames per second and 1080p video recording at 60 frames per second with optical image stabilisation.
Gaming Performance
I tested a variety of games during my few days of use, from the classic Subway Surfers to Call of Duty Mobile, and the performance was impressive and I was satisfied with the overall experience. The speakers were loud enough and produced clear, crisp audio. There was no lag while playing these games on the phone, and even Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends were playable at the highest graphics settings. Furthermore, despite an hour of intense gaming, the phone did not overheat.
I was able to access the Game Turbo menu while playing by swiping right on the top left edge of the screen. This menu contains options for customising the game, such as increasing FPS levels by clicking the ‘Boost’ button, recording gameplay sessions, adjusting brightness, and so on.
Verdict
The POCO F5 excels in three key areas that are important to gamers: performance, display, and battery life, all at an affordable price of $29,999. Despite flaws such as bloatware, plastic construction, a low IP rating, and slow charging, the POCO F5 manages to fly under the radar thanks to its aggressive pricing strategy. While the phone lacks a premium design, its lighter weight provides a more comfortable in-hand feel, the iQOO Neo 7 offers a sophisticated design for those who value aesthetics.
