For most young people, purchasing a smartphone is about much more than the device itself. Hardware and software are both important, but it’s the brand and what it stands for that Gen Z truly connects with.
And Poco is a company that understands this better than anyone. This allowed it to quickly establish itself as an essential brand among technology enthusiasts and young people.
Its “Everything you need, nothing you don’t” philosophy resonates with people around the world, with Poco now active in 98 global markets. The company’s research and development relies on feedback from Poco fans, allowing it to produce a range of devices tailored to their specific needs.
Many of them focus on performance and affordability, which Poco has identified as key requirements from its fans. Among Gen Z users, the company also considers mobile gaming, online shopping and video streaming as top priorities.
This approach has led Poco to launch several distinct products, each of which redefines what it means to have a good phone. In particular, there are three mid-range handsets that look and perform like flagships.
Let’s start with the Poco X5 Pro 5G, which offers an incredible AV entertainment experience for just £369/$349.99. It relies on a winning combination of stunning visuals and advanced camera capabilities.
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The 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display is as good as many high-end phones, while the dual stereo speakers deliver punchy sound. There’s even a 3.5mm headphone jack if you prefer wired headphones.
Elsewhere, a flagship 108 MP camera enables professional-level photography, combining excellent detail with superb color accuracy. It also supports 4K video capture, with a range of shooting modes making it easy to create vlogs and other premium content.
But none of this would be possible without the Snapdragon® 778G 5G chipset, which offers the perfect balance between performance and power efficiency. Not only does this guarantee all-day battery life thanks to the 5,000 mAh cell, but it also allows for fast and efficient camera processing.
Overall, the Poco X5 Pro 5G demonstrates how little you have to pay for a great 5G smartphone.
However, if gaming is your top priority, the Poco F5 series is the way to go. It combines flagship-level performance with high-quality displays and professional-grade cameras, all while maintaining those mid-range prices.
The Poco F5 delivers a premium gaming and photography experience for just £449/$429.99. It is powered by the Snapdragon® 7+ Gen 2, one of the most powerful chipsets made by Qualcomm. Expect fast, reliable performance in all scenarios, including gaming.
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The 7+ Gen 2’s advanced camera processing also ensures you get faster, more reliable photos. The 64 MP main lens offers a variety of different features, as well as stable 4K video thanks to optical image stabilization.
A good screen is crucial for gaming, and that’s exactly what you get here. The 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display brings content to life, especially when combined with dual Dolby Atmos speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
A 5,000 mAh battery will keep you going all day, while 67W turbo charging will take you from 0 to 100% in just 46 minutes.
But if you want a phone that’s almost indistinguishable from a flagship, the Poco F5 Pro is the way to go. It’s hard to understand how Poco is selling this for just £559/$579.99.
Even if it were double the price, these specs wouldn’t seem out of place. The Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 is Qualcomm’s best chip of 2022, and combined with advanced liquid cooling, it makes the F5 Pro a powerful gaming machine.
The screen here is still a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, but this time the resolution is even higher: 3,200 x 1,440. The details and clarity are up to par of those of the best smartphones you can buy.
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Elsewhere, the 5,160 mAh battery will power you through a day. It also offers a choice of wired or wireless fast charging methods, making it a reliable companion day or night.
And with a powerful triple rear camera system led by a 64MP main sensor, as well as the impressive 16MP selfie lens, the Poco F5 Pro excels in almost every area.
But the software experience is still solid on all mid-range Poco phones, with the company also supporting them with updates for a full three years after release.
The X5 Pro, F5 and F5 Pro embody Poco’s philosophy of “Everything you need, nothing you don’t.” The company’s commitment to bringing flagship technology to the mid-range segment without increasing prices has benefited technology enthusiasts across the globe. Poco celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2023 with a series of impressive phones. And it looks like there will be plenty more exciting releases in 2024 and beyond.
