When I first heard about the Xiaomi Poco F5, I was excited. It was a smartphone that promised flagship features without the flagship price tag. As someone who is always on the lookout for the best value for money, the Poco F5 seemed like it could be the perfect fit. But with so many options available in the smartphone market, could the Poco F5 really deliver on its promises? After going deep into its features, I realized that this phone offers an impressive blend of performance, design, and affordability that is hard to beat.

Design and Build Quality

• Premium materials

• Ergonomic design
• Fingerprint-resistant back panel

One of the first things you notice about the Xiaomi Poco F5 is its sleek design. The phone suppourts a modern, minimalist look with a polished finish that feels premium in hand. The build quality is surprisingly robust for a phone in this price range. The Poco F5 is crafted from high-quality materials that give it a solid feel, unlike some budget phones that can feel a bit flimsy.

The device is also quite user friendly, with curved edges that make it comfortable to hold. It is not too heavy, striking a good balance between sturdiness and portability. The back panel is designed to resist fingerprints, which is a nice touch for those of us who hate constantly wiping smudges off our phones. The placement of buttons is intuitive, with the power button doubling as a fingerprint scanner, making unlocking the phone quick and easy.

Display

• 6.67-inch AMOLED display

• 120Hz refresh rate
• Bright and vivid colors

Moving on to the display, the Poco F5 boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, which is one of the highlights of this device. The display is vibrant and sharp, offering a Full HD+ resolution that ensures everything from videos to games looks crisp and clear. What impressed me the most is the 120Hz refresh rate, a feature usually reserved for much more expensive smartphones. This high refresh rate makes scrolling through apps and websites feel incredibly smooth, enhancing the overall user experience.

The display is also quite bright, making it easy to use even in direct sunlight. The colors are vivid, and the blacks are deep, thanks to the AMOLED technology. Whether you are watching your favorite TV shows or playing mobile games, the Poco F5’s display delivers an immersive visual experience that is hard to find in this price bracket.

Performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor

• Up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage
• Excellent gaming performance

Under the hood, the Xiaomi Poco F5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, which is a powerful chipset for a budget smartphone. This processor ensures that the phone can handle a wide range of tasks without any hiccups. Whether you are multitasking between apps or playing graphics intensive games, the Poco F5 performs smoothly.

The phone comes with up to 8GB of RAM, which further enhances its multitasking capabilities. You can easily switch between apps without experiencing slowdowns. The 256GB of internal storage provides ample space for all your apps, photos, and videos. If you need more storage, the Poco F5 supports expandable storage via a microSD card, making it easy to keep all your important files at your fingertips.

One of the standout features of the Poco F5 is its gaming performance. The Snapdragon 870, combined with the Adreno 650 GPU, ensures that even the most demanding games run smoothly. The phone stays relatively cool during extended gaming sessions, thanks to its efficient thermal management system.

Camera System

• 48MP main camera

• 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro lenses
• 20MP selfie camera

The camera system on the Xiaomi Poco F5 is another area where this phone punches above its weight. It features a triple camera setup on the back, with a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra widebangle lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The main sensor captures detailed photos with accurate colors, even in challenging lighting conditions. The ultra wide angle lens is perfect for capturing landscapes or large group shots, while the macro lens allows you to get up close and personal with your subjects.

The camera app is user friendly, with various modes and features that help you take the best photos possible. There is also a night mode, which significantly improves low light photography by enhancing details and reducing noise. The Poco F5’s camera system may not rival that of a flagship device, but it is certainly one of the best you shall find in a budget phone.

On the front, the phone sports a 20MP selfie camera that takes sharp and vibrant photos. Whether you are snapping selfies for social media or video calling, the front camera delivers consistently good results.

Battery Life

• 5,000mAh battery

• 67W fast charging
• Reverse charging support

Battery life is crucial for any smartphone, and the Xiaomi Poco F5 does not disappoint in this regard. The phone is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which provides more than enough power to get through a full day of heavy use. Whether you are streaming videos, playing games, or browsing the web, the Poco F5 can keep up with your demands without needing a midday recharge.

What is even better is the 67W fast charging support. With this feature, you can quickly top up the battery when it is running low. In just 30 minutes, you can charge the battery from 0% to around 70%, which is incredibly convenient for those times when you are in a hurry. The phone also supports reverse charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank to charge other devices, which is a handy feature to have.

Software Experience

• MIUI customization options

• Built-in screen recorder and gaming mode
• Regular software updates

The Xiaomi Poco F5 runs on MIUI, Xiaomi’s custom Android skin, which offers a clean and intuitive user experience. MIUI is known for its customization options, allowing you to tweak the interface. You can choose from a wide range of themes, change the layout of the home screen, and even customize the notification shade.

MIUI also comes with a host of useful features, such as a built-in screen recorder, a one-handed mode for easier use, and a gaming mode that optimizes the phone’s performance for gaming. The software is generally smooth and responsive, with no significant issues. However, MIUI does come with some pre-installed apps, which may not be to everyone’s liking. Thankfully, most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled if you prefer a cleaner interface.

Xiaomi regularly updates MIUI, ensuring that your device stays secure and up to date with the latest features. While MIUI may take some getting used to if you are coming from a different Android skin, it is a solid offering that enhances the overall user experience.

Connectivity and Additional Features

• 5G connectivity and dual SIM support

• Side-mounted fingerprint scanner and face unlock
• Stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack

In terms of connectivity, the Poco F5 supports 5G, ensuring that you are future proofed for the latest mobile networks. It also comes with dual SIM support, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously, which is great for those who travel frequently or want to separate work and personal numbers.

The phone also features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is fast and reliable, as well as face unlock for added convenience. There is an IR blaster, which allows you to use the Poco F5 as a remote control for various devices, and the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack will be appreciated by those who still prefer wired headphones.

One of the standout additional features is the stereo speakers, which provide loud and clear audio for an enhanced media experience. Whether you are watching videos or playing games, the sound quality is impressive for a budget device.

Final Words

After spending time with the Xiaomi Poco F5, it is clear that this phone offers incredible value for money. It combines flagship level features like a 120Hz AMOLED display, powerful performance, and a versatile camera system with a budget friendly price. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as the pre installed apps in MIUI, these are easy to overlook given everything else the phone has to offer.

If you are in the market for a new smartphone and want something that would not break the bank but still delivers a premium experience, the Xiaomi Poco F5 should be at the top of your list. It is a device that proves you don’t have to spend huge amount to get a great smartphone.