Poco M6 Plus Review: A New Contender in the Budget Segment

The Poco M6 Plus has emerged as a highly anticipated release in the competitive budget smartphone segment. Known for offering impressive specifications at affordable prices, Poco has consistently aimed to provide value-for-money devices. The M6 Plus is no exception, promising to deliver a robust experience without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive review, we will dive into every aspect of the Poco M6 Plus, covering its design, display, performance, software, camera, battery life, and overall value proposition.

Design and Build Quality

The design of the Poco M6 Plus follows the modern smartphone aesthetic, balancing form and function. The device features a sleek and stylish design, with a polycarbonate back that mimics the look of glass. This choice of material not only helps in keeping the cost down but also ensures durability. The phone feels solid in hand and doesn’t compromise on build quality.

The rear panel houses a rectangular camera module, which has become a signature design element for many Poco devices. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently located on the side, integrated with the power button, ensuring quick and easy access. The overall build quality is commendable for a budget device, with no noticeable creaks or flexes.

The Poco M6 Plus comes in multiple color options, catering to different tastes. The matte finish on the back panel helps in minimizing fingerprints and smudges, maintaining a clean look even with regular use. The curved edges and rounded corners contribute to a comfortable grip, making it easy to handle the phone with one hand.

Display

The Poco M6 Plus sports a 6.67-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. While AMOLED panels are often preferred for their vibrant colors and deep blacks, the IPS LCD on the M6 Plus still delivers a commendable visual experience. The display offers good color accuracy, decent contrast, and ample brightness for indoor and outdoor use.

One of the standout features of the display is its 120Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate is a welcome addition in the budget segment, providing smoother animations and more responsive interactions. Whether you’re scrolling through social media feeds or playing games, the 120Hz refresh rate enhances the overall experience, making everything feel more fluid and enjoyable.

The display also supports HDR10, which enhances the viewing experience for compatible content, providing richer colors and improved contrast. Watching videos and playing games on the Poco M6 Plus is a treat, thanks to the large screen real estate and immersive visuals. The minimal bezels and centrally placed punch-hole cutout for the front camera further contribute to an immersive viewing experience.

Performance

Under the hood, the Poco M6 Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset. This octa-core processor, coupled with the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, ensures smooth performance across a variety of tasks. The Dimensity 810 is a capable mid-range chipset that strikes a good balance between performance and power efficiency.

In day-to-day usage, the Poco M6 Plus handles multitasking with ease. Apps open quickly, and switching between them is seamless. The device is well-suited for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, using social media, and watching videos. Even more demanding applications and games run smoothly, thanks to the ample 6GB or 8GB of RAM options.

Gaming performance on the Poco M6 Plus is impressive for its price range. Popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile run smoothly at medium to high settings, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. The device manages to keep thermals in check, preventing excessive heating during extended gaming sessions.

Storage options for the Poco M6 Plus include 128GB and 256GB variants, providing ample space for apps, media, and files. Additionally, the device supports expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing users to further increase storage capacity as needed.

Software

The Poco M6 Plus runs on MIUI 13, based on Android 12. MIUI is known for its feature-rich and customizable interface, offering a plethora of options to personalize the user experience. While MIUI has its share of fans and critics, it provides a good balance of functionality and aesthetics.

One of the highlights of MIUI 13 is its focus on optimization and performance improvements. The software feels snappy and responsive, with smooth animations and transitions. The higher refresh rate of the display further enhances the overall fluidity of the user interface.

MIUI 13 also brings several useful features to the table, such as a robust theming engine, enhanced privacy controls, and improved notification management. The customization options allow users to tweak the look and feel of the interface to their liking, from changing icons and wallpapers to applying custom themes.

However, MIUI is known for including ads and bloatware, which can be a downside for some users. While ads can be disabled to some extent, they are still present in certain areas of the interface. Additionally, the device comes with several pre-installed apps, some of which may not be useful to all users. Fortunately, most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled.

Camera

The Poco M6 Plus features a versatile quad-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. This camera configuration offers a good mix of features, catering to various photography needs.

The primary 64MP sensor captures detailed and sharp images in well-lit conditions. Colors are vibrant and accurate, with a good dynamic range. The camera performs well in daylight, producing photos with plenty of detail and minimal noise. In low-light conditions, the camera’s performance is decent, thanks to the dedicated night mode that helps in improving brightness and reducing noise.

The 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens is useful for capturing wider scenes, such as landscapes and group photos. While the image quality is not as high as the primary sensor, it still produces decent results with good color reproduction. The ultra-wide lens does introduce some distortion at the edges, which is common in this category.

The 2MP macro lens allows for close-up shots of small subjects, such as flowers and insects. While the macro capabilities are limited due to the lower resolution, it can still capture interesting details with a bit of patience and steady hands. The 2MP depth sensor helps in creating pleasing portrait shots with a natural-looking bokeh effect.

On the front, the Poco M6 Plus is equipped with a 16MP selfie camera. The front camera captures clear and detailed selfies in good lighting conditions. Portrait mode is available for selfies as well, allowing users to add a blurred background effect for a more professional look. The camera app offers a variety of beauty modes and filters, enabling users to enhance their selfies according to their preferences.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Poco M6 Plus is its impressive battery life. The device is equipped with a large 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts through a full day of moderate to heavy usage. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming videos, or playing games, the Poco M6 Plus manages to keep up without requiring frequent recharges.

The power efficiency of the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, combined with the optimizations in MIUI 13, contributes to the excellent battery performance. Even with the higher refresh rate of the display, the battery life remains strong, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize long-lasting endurance.

When it comes to charging, the Poco M6 Plus supports 33W fast charging. The included fast charger can replenish the battery from 0 to 100% in about an hour, ensuring that you spend less time tethered to a power outlet. This fast-charging capability is a valuable addition, especially for users who are always on the go.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Poco M6 Plus comes with a comprehensive set of connectivity options, including 5G support, ensuring future-proof connectivity for faster data speeds and improved network performance. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to manage two SIM cards simultaneously.

Other notable features include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. This inclusion is a boon for users who prefer wired headphones and accessories. The device also features an IR blaster, enabling users to control compatible appliances such as TVs and air conditioners.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is quick and accurate, providing a reliable method of unlocking the device. Face unlock is also available, offering an additional biometric authentication option. The device comes with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the overall user experience.

Conclusion

The Poco M6 Plus is a compelling offering in the budget smartphone segment, delivering a well-rounded package with impressive specifications and features. Its sleek design, high-refresh-rate display, capable performance, versatile camera setup, and excellent battery life make it a standout choice for budget-conscious consumers.

While the presence of ads and bloatware in MIUI may be a downside for some users, the overall experience remains positive, thanks to the rich feature set and customization options. The inclusion of 5G support and fast charging further enhances the device’s appeal, making it a future-proof investment.

In conclusion, the Poco M6 Plus offers great value for money, providing a flagship-like experience at a fraction of the cost. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone, the Poco M6 Plus is definitely worth considering.

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