Xiaomi sub-brand Poco may launch a ‘Reloaded’ variant of its mid-budget range smartphone, the Poco M2. Reported by XDA Developers courtesy XDA Forums member Kacper Skrzypek, a snippet of code buried inside MIUI 12 has the name Poco M2 Reloaded mentioned in it, suggesting that this may refer to compatibility features of the Xiaomi software interface with upcoming smartphones. Phone names buried in software code have been among the most reliable ways of finding out OEMs’ launch plans, and now, Poco appears to have something called the Poco M2 Reloaded in plans.
That said, it will be curious to say the least if the Poco M2 Reloaded is actually launched. In November 2020, Poco India launched the Poco M3 featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC, up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, a 48MP triple rear camera, a 6.53-inch full HD+ IPS LCD display, and a 6,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. In comparison, the Poco M2, which was launched a couple of months earlier, featured the same display panel, RAM and storage variants. However, it offered the MediaTek Helio G80 SoC, a 13MP quad rear camera and a smaller, 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging.
Given that the apparent successor of the Poco M2 is already available in the market, it remains unsure if the rumoured Poco M2 Reloaded was initially planned but later scrapped by Poco, or might still be launched as a special edition device. Practically nothing is known as yet about what could constitute the ‘Reloaded’ part of the Poco M2. What Poco may plan with this device is to fill up a minor gap between the Poco M3 and the Poco X3, by offering slightly tweaked specifications. Given that this is expected to be a minor upgrade, the Poco M2 Reloaded may also be just new colour variants.
Poco has stepped up its game of late, and accounts for some of the most recommendable offerings particularly in the budget and mid-range price brackets of the smartphone industry. It is now focusing on a slightly more premium segment of the market, it seems, with a partnership with chipmaker Qualcomm set to bring about the Poco X3 Pro in an upcoming launch. More details about the company’s imminent smartphone plans should come our way soon, which will hopefully shed more light on the mysterious Poco M2 Reloaded.
