The POCO X-series has a proven track record of delivering power-packed performance at an affordable price. This series has always been loved by users seeking an all-arounder, with a focus on performance. So naturally, the pressure was high on POCO to deliver a phone that could continue its legacy. Enter the POCO X6. While it also has an elder sibling in the form of the POCO X6 Pro, we are talking about the X6 in this review.
POCO X6
Rs 21,999
What Is Good?
- 1.5K AMOLED display offers accurate colours
- Good performance in day-to-day life
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Great battery life
- 67W fast charging support
- OIS in triple rear cameras is helpful
What Is Bad?
- Average low-light performance
- Bloatware
- The back panel is prone to smudges
With the latest Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset at its heart, a 1.5K AMOLED display, a triple-camera setup, and more, the POCO X6 looks to dominate the hottest price segment of sub-Rs 25,000. But, should you consider it as your next daily driver? Find out in our review.
POCO X6 Price in India and Availability
Here’s a variant-wise breakup of the POCO X6:
| Variant | Price |
| 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage | Rs 19,999 |
| 12GB RAM + 512GB Storage | Rs 22,999 |
Do note that these prices are inclusive of Rs 2,000 instant discount on ICICI Bank credit/debit cards and EMI transactions. Moreover, one can also get Rs 2,000 off on an exchange offer as well.
POCO X6 Review: Design and build quality
The POCO X6 follows the no-nonsense design philosophy of the X-series. However, the brand has made some tweaks which makes it more sleek and glossy. The phone is available in two colour options: Mirror Black and Snowstorm White. The former is a literal mirror, while the latter seems to have taken some inspiration from the POCO F5.
The flattened frame and edges make the device easier to hold. The Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the front will cancel out any anxiety about scratches. The rest of the phone is made up of good quality plastic, which looks upmarket from all angles.
| Design | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 161.15 x 74.24 x 7.98mm |
| Weight | 187 grams |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| Build Material | Glass front, plastic edges |
| Colour variants | Mirror Black, Snowstorm White |
The square-camera housing at the back has become a trademark for the POCO devices, and the same approach can be found here. The camera rings protrude, making it wobble when kept on a flat surface.
The Black hue we got for the review is a massive fingerprint magnet, making us carry a microfibre cloth when capturing product shots. These smudges and dust can be avoided if you slap on a case. Thankfully, a black matte case is bundled.
Coming to the ports, you get a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille at the base, while at the top, you have a speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an IR blaster. The right side of the device features a power on/off button and volume controls.
POCO X6: Display and Audio Review
The display is one area where the POCO X6 shines brightly, quite literally. It sports a 1.5K AMOLED display, which has started to become common in this segment — but is still a huge plus point. The device offers accurate colours, good viewing angles, and a vivid display.
| Display | Specifications |
| Size | 6.67-inch |
| Type | 1.5K AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2712 x 1220 pixels |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Peak brightness | Up to 1800 nits |
| Other Features | 240Hz touch sampling rate, 12-bit colour depth, HDR10+ |
| Display protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
The display is meant for content consumption and this was an absolute delight on the POCO X6. Darker scenes in Killer Soup were also visible, and the overall colour reproduction while consuming TV shows or movies was great. It also supports HDR10+ and Widevine L1 DRM support, which means you can stream content in Full HD quality with ease.
Similarly, while playing Monument Valley, the colours were lively. You also get three colour profiles to choose from, including Vivid, Saturated, and Standard. Moreover, there’s another option to customise the display colours and hue, as per your preference. The 120Hz refresh rate gives a smoother experience when scrolling through social media. This also aids gaming largely.
A display is only complete once you pair it with good speakers. This is another department where POCO has done a good job. The phone comes with a stereo speaker setup that gets loud enough and delivers decent sound quality. However, the best part of it is the support for a 3.5mm audio jack, meaning that one can connect wired in-ear monitors (IEMs) and get better sound quality.
POCO X6 Performance Review
The POCO X6 is powered by a fairly good Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor that can deliver balanced performance and better efficiency in this price segment. While it’s not as powerful as the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 found on the POCO F5, it serves as an upgrade over the frequently utilised Snapdragon 695 in this price bracket, and can also be found on the POCO X5.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 512 GB UFS 3.1 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 598971 |
| Geekbench 6.1 | Single core – 1004, Multi-core – 2845 |
| CPU throttling test | 81 per cent of its max performance |
| 3DMark (Wild Life Extreme Stress Test) | NA |
| Software version | Android 13 based on MIUI 14 |
| Connectivity details | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, USB Type-C |
The POCO X6 effortlessly handles games, regardless of their intensity. Even resource-demanding titles like BGMI ran smoothly at HD graphics settings and Extreme frame rates. While the phone did experience a slight warming sensation during extended gaming sessions, it remained within acceptable limits and did not reach an alarming temperature.
On the software side, the phone runs MIUI 14, which is based on Android 13. MIUI has come a long way and brings some interesting features to the table. The handset gets the POCO launcher, which is customisable. The Always-On display and in-display fingerprint sensor also come with some good customisation options, which are always fun to mess around with.
However, the UI is still plagued with bloatware. You will see a lot of unnecessary apps, which can be uninstalled, though it is just another painstaking task.
In general, the Poco X6 5G is well-equipped to cater to the mid-tier segment, providing commendable performance and stability given its affordable pricing.
POCO X6 Camera Review
POCO has also improved the camera department with the new X6. The handset now comes with a 64MP triple-camera setup with OIS support as compared to the 48MP present in the POCO X5. However, the other two cameras remain the same.
| Cameras | Specifications |
| Primary camera | 64-megapixel, f/1.79, OIS |
| Secondary camera | 8-megapixel, ultra-wide angle camera, f/2.2, 120-degree FoV |
| Tertiary camera | 2-megapixel, macro camera, f/2.4 |
| Selfie camera | 16-megapixel |
| Video recording capabilities | Up to 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps |
The daylight images delivered great results with accurate colours and adequate dynamic range. The phone was quick to focus on the subject and delivered consistent results in different daylight scenarios. The portrait mode also did a good job of identifying the subject and blurring the background. However, we did notice some red hue on human skin. This was evident while using the 2x and 4x zoom modes.
The low-light performance was quite average. The images had good colours, but the noise was prominent. The OIS does help to a certain extent for low-light photos, but there’s some room for improvement here.
The selfie camera, on the other hand, delivers consistent results in different light conditions. During daylight, selfies were sharp, full of colours, and with good dynamic range. However, it’s best to first remove the beauty filters turned on by default. The portrait in selfie mode also delivered good results. During low-light conditions, the selfies were decent, if not great.
POCO X6 Review: Battery and charging
The POCO X6 is backed by a 5,100mAh unit and offers 67W of fast charging support. During our testing, the phone delivered almost a full day of battery life with moderate to heavy usage.
Our day-to-day usage generally included checking emails, scrolling on Instagram, checking the latest tweets, watching videos on YouTube, and playing some games in our free time.
The fast charger came in quite handy for us. With this, the POCO X6 can be charged almost 48 percent in just 15 minutes, 80 percent in approx 30 minutes, and 100 percent in 45 minutes.
POCO X6 Review: Verdict
To conclude, the POCO X6 impresses with its blend of aesthetics, display prowess, and robust performance. The 1.5K AMOLED display is a standout feature, offering vibrant colours, and HDR10+ support. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures smooth navigation and gaming experience.
It also delivers balanced performance, excelling in gaming even at high settings. MIUI 14, despite some bloatware, brings valuable customisation options. The battery and charging duo play a reliable role on the POCO X6.
So, if you are looking for a smartphone and have a budget of Rs 25k, then the POCO X6 should be in your shortlist.
POCO X6 Alternatives
The POCO X6 will still have to face the Redmi Note 13, which was recently introduced in India. Moreover, we also have OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, which is a popular choice in this price segment.
If you are hell-bent on a performance-focused smartphone, the Infinix GT 10 Pro can also be a good option. Apart from these, other alternatives include the Motorola Edge 40 Neo and Vivo T2 Pro.
