Poco may not be the most well-known phone brand in Europe, but you shouldn’t ignore the company’s two new handsets.
In many ways, the Poco F6 and F6 Pro set a new standard for mid-range phones. At these price points, you’ll be hard-pressed to find devices with better performance, better displays, or better loading speeds. These aren’t the only strengths either, as our full Poco F6 Pro review shows.
Both phones use former parent company Xiaomi’s HyperOS Android skin, offering a very different Android 14 experience than you’ll find on Google or Samsung devices.
Most people will need to make a lot of modifications to get the look and function to your liking. This includes diving into the settings to enable some of the phone’s best features, many of which are disabled by default.
Here are six easy ways to make the Poco F6 Pro even better than it already is. The good news is that most of them apply to all Xiaomi phones running HyperOS, including the classic and cheaper Poco F6.
The highest resolution possible
The Poco F6 Pro’s high-resolution screen is probably what’s most impressive.
At 1440p (3200×1440), it’s in line with most flagship phones, although you won’t get this excellent detail and clarity right out of the box. Instead, it’s set to a lower resolution of 1080p, presumably to save battery.
To get the full resolution, go to Settings, then “Display & Brightness” and tap “Display Resolution.” Once that’s applied, go back to the same page and turn off the toggle marked “Save battery with WQHD+” – this will stop it from automatically reverting to 1080p.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
120Hz all the time
The screen also has a 120Hz refresh rate, allowing for smooth visuals and smooth transitions. But “Default” mode automatically switches between 60 and 120 Hz, again to save battery.
However, sometimes you don’t need the higher refresh rate, but I just want to enjoy the extra smoothness.
To enable 120Hz permanently, go to Settings, followed again by “Display & Brightness.” From there, tap “Refresh Rate,” then choose “Custom.”
If it’s not already selected, choose 120 Hz from the drop-down menu. Finally, tap “Apps using high refresh rate” and make sure all the ones you want to use are enabled.
Boost the brightness
Brightness completes the trio of display-related features. The default auto-brightness mode works great in most situations, ensuring that you can see the screen clearly without being blinded.
However, this becomes more difficult in bright outdoor conditions. In case of direct exposure to sunlight, even regular maximum brightness may not be enough.
This is where the Poco F6 Pro’s dedicated “sunlight mode” comes in. It increases the brightness far beyond what is normally possible, meaning you will be able to see it clearly in virtually any environment.
To enable it, go back to Settings and “Display & Brightness”. Turn off the toggle marked “Auto Brightness,” then turn on the toggle marked “Sunlight Mode.” Finally, adjust the brightness slider above to your liking – if you’re currently in a very bright environment, go for the maximum.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Realistic comments
You may not be familiar with the term haptic feedback, but you will definitely have experienced the benefits. Many game consoles use it to make the gaming experience more immersive, delivering a jolt of vibration when you get hit or need to play a crucial game.
On phones, the stakes are a little lower (unless you’re gaming of course), but the haptic feedback can make using the device a little more satisfying. Whether you unlock the device with your finger, tap, switch apps, or simply plug in the charging cable, it’s also an easy way to ensure an action has been completed successfully.
The quality of vibration motors that provide haptic feedback varies wildly from phone to phone, but the Poco F6 Pro has one of the best on the market.
It seems like a shame to go without it, especially when enabling it is so easy. Simply open the Settings app and select “Sound & Vibration”. From there, scroll down to the “Haptic Feedback” section and tap the button to activate it.
Once enabled, use the slider below to adjust the intensity. You will notice the difference as soon as you activate it.
Keep an eye on the time (and other information)
An always-on display is exactly what it sounds like: the screen stays on for a set amount of time after you lock it, showing essential information like the time, battery percentage, and whether any notifications have been received.
However, it is not enabled by default on the Poco F6 Pro, probably because it tends to consume a lot of power.
To enable it, go to Settings, then tap “Wallpaper” then “Always on display”. Tap the button to activate it, then decide how long you want it to stay active (10 minutes, always, or on a set schedule) and which theme you want it to use.
Sound all around you
The Poco F6 Pro’s internal speakers are nothing to write home about, but the audio experience is transformed when you connect headphones (via Bluetooth or USB-C).
Besides support for Dolby Atmos and an equalizer that lets you fully customize the sound, Poco offers an option that makes it seem like the sound is all around you, rather than just coming to you in the usual way. Think of it as the company’s own version of Apple’s Spatial Audio.
To enable it, open Settings and go to “Sound & vibration”. Scroll to the bottom of the page and choose “Sound Effects.” From there, turn on the toggle marked “Immersive Sound.”
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
In the UK, the standard Poco F6 starts at £399.90, while the Poco F6 Pro starts at £499.90. Both phones will be available from Xiaomi, Poco and Amazon, with early offers dropping the price of both models by £50 until May 30.
Alongside the F6 and F6 Pro, Poco also announced its first ever tablet in the Poco Pad.
On paper, this looks like a decent basic slate, with a 12.1-inch 120Hz display, a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, and a 10,000mAh battery that supports 33W charging. And at 329 ($299 with Preferred Pricing), it seems like a solid, inexpensive Android tablet.
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