Poco has expanded its F-series portfolio with the launch of the Poco F5 5G, representing the brand’s second smartphone release in 2023. The Poco F5 5G is powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, which is a first for smartphones and offers a substantial 50% improvement in CPU performance and a 13% increase in energy efficiency compared to its predecessor. The device is available with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, with prices starting at Rs 29,999. Consumers can choose from three color variants: Carbon Black, Snowstorm White, and Electric Blue. We had the chance to evaluate the top-tier Snowstorm White model, and in this in-depth review, we will delve into the Poco F5 5G’s various features and capabilities, examining its design, display, camera, performance, and overall value proposition.
The Poco F5 5G is an impressive addition to the brand’s lineup, offering a powerful processor, ample memory and storage, and a range of color options to cater to different consumer preferences. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the device’s numerous features and capabilities, from its sleek design and vibrant display to its versatile camera and high-performance specifications. With a competitive starting price of Rs 29,999, the Poco F5 5G is well-positioned to appeal to a broad range of users seeking an exceptional smartphone experience at an accessible price point.
By examining each aspect of the Poco F5 5G, this review will help potential buyers make an informed decision about whether this device is the right fit for their needs. The combination of the latest Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage ensures that the Poco F5 5G is capable of handling a wide variety of tasks with ease, while the choice of Carbon Black, Snowstorm White, and Electric Blue color options ensures that there is a model to suit every taste. Overall, the Poco F5 5G presents a compelling package that is well worth considering for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.
Design and Build Quality
The Poco F5 5G sports a distinctive design, combining a squarish box-like form with flat edges and gracefully curved corners. Its glass back features a matte finish, lending the device a premium feel. Our test unit, the visually striking Snowstorm White variant, exudes elegance and seamlessly integrates into the overall design. The rear camera module occupies the top-left corner of the back panel, while the Poco branding can be found at the bottom-left. The camera panel bears a resemblance to those found on several recently released smartphones, such as the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, showcasing a contemporary design trend in the smartphone industry.
The smartphone has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is responsive and accurate. The device feels sturdy and well-built, though it might be slightly hefty for some users, weighing in at 181g. However, its IP53 dust and splash-resistant rating offer peace of mind against minor accidents and spills.
Display
The Poco F5 5G comes equipped with an exceptional 6.67-inch, 12-bit AMOLED display, delivering a high-definition resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a modern 20:9 aspect ratio. This top-notch display ensures that users enjoy vivid, true-to-life colors and sharp contrasts, creating an unparalleled viewing experience. Aesthetically, the screen features a punch-hole cutout at its center, which seamlessly accommodates the front-facing selfie camera without compromising the display’s visual real estate.
One of the standout features of the Poco F5 5G is its ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which elevates the user experience by providing fluid and seamless navigation, scrolling, and transitions. Throughout our testing period, we observed no noticeable lag or delay, further solidifying the device’s performance capabilities. The display’s responsiveness and fluidity are particularly impressive, offering a premium experience typically reserved for high-end flagship devices.
In addition to its performance attributes, the Poco F5 5G’s design is noteworthy for its slim bezels that encircle the display. These minimal bezels contribute to the device’s sleek and modern appearance while allowing for an expansive screen-to-body ratio of 88.9%. This design choice maximizes the available screen real estate, making the Poco F5 5G an ideal choice for consumers who value immersive, large-screen experiences for media consumption, gaming, or productivity tasks.
Watching content and playing games feels incredibly smooth on the Xfinity Pro display. The Dolby Vision support works well with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content, and the display also supports HDR10+ and a peak brightness of 1000 nits. This makes it usable even under bright sunlight. Overall, the display is one of the highlights of the Poco F5 5G, providing a vibrant and immersive experience.
Camera Performance
The Poco F5 5G presents a highly adaptable triple-camera configuration, headlined by a robust 64MP primary sensor that incorporates Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) technology. This main camera effortlessly captures images that exhibit remarkable sharpness, detail, and color accuracy, along with an impressive dynamic range. The device’s efficient image processing ensures that even when zoomed in, photographs retain a commendable level of detail, setting it apart from many competing smartphones in its category.
In addition to its exceptional still photography capabilities, the Poco F5 5G also excels in video recording. The device supports 4K resolution, allowing users to capture stunning, high-definition footage with remarkable stability and clarity. This feature is particularly beneficial for content creators and casual videographers alike, as it provides a professional-grade recording experience in a compact, user-friendly smartphone.
One of the standout features of the Poco F5 5G’s camera system is its 2x lossless zoom mode. This function enables users to capture images from a distance without compromising on quality or introducing visible noise, which is a common issue with digital zoom in many smartphones. The 2x lossless zoom mode is particularly useful for wildlife photography, event coverage, or any scenario where getting closer to the subject may not be possible or practical.
The 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor allows for the capture of wide, dramatic shots, although it suffers from some graininess in low-light situations. The 2MP macro lens does an adequate job, but it also produces some grainy images under less-than-ideal lighting conditions.
The 16MP front-facing camera takes pleasing selfies, although the AI processing tends to blur some details in the image. Overall, the Poco F5 5G’s camera system performs well for a mid-range smartphone, with the primary camera being the standout performer.
Performance and Software
The Poco F5 5G is driven by the advanced 4nm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 5G chipset, which delivers remarkable performance for both everyday tasks and gaming scenarios. Equipped with 12GB of RAM in our test model, the device adeptly manages multitasking, allowing for rapid app loading and seamless navigation without any noticeable lag or stutter. This impressive performance ensures that users can enjoy a smooth and efficient smartphone experience throughout their daily usage.
When it comes to gaming, the Poco F5 5G truly shines. High-demand titles like Call of Duty run effortlessly, even at elevated graphics settings, with no discernible signs of lag or delay. This level of gaming performance can be attributed to the device’s powerful Adreno 725 GPU, which guarantees smooth frame rates and unwavering performance, creating an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience for users.
Another noteworthy aspect of the Poco F5 5G is its effective heat management. Despite extended gaming sessions, the device remains cool, avoiding the overheating issues that often plague other smartphones during resource-intensive tasks. This efficient thermal management not only contributes to the device’s overall performance but also helps preserve its longevity and reliability.
The Poco F5 5G runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14 for POCO, which offers a clean and smooth user experience. The animations and transitions are fluid, and the overall interface is easy to navigate. However, the smartphone comes with a considerable amount of pre-installed bloatware, which could be a concern for some users. Fortunately, most of these apps can be uninstalled if you prefer a cleaner app drawer.
Audio Performance
The audio performance on the Poco F5 5G is impressive, with clear and punchy sound output. The Dolby Atmos-tuned dual stereo speakers produce loud and immersive audio, making it enjoyable to watch content without earphones. The smartphone also supports 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res Audio with wireless Bluetooth-enabled earphones, ensuring a high-quality listening experience for audiophiles.
Battery Life and Charging
The Poco F5 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh Li-Po battery, providing all-day battery life for most users. With moderate to heavy usage, including browsing, streaming, and gaming, the smartphone can easily last through a full day without needing a top-up.
The device comes with a 67W fast charger in the box, which Poco claims can fully charge the smartphone in 45 minutes. However, in our testing, charging the phone from a completely drained state took slightly over 50 minutes. While this is a minor deviation from the advertised charging time, it is still impressive and ensures that you can quickly top up the battery when needed.
Conclusion
The Poco F5 5G is an excellent mid-range smartphone that offers powerful performance, an impressive display, and a capable camera system at a competitive price point. Its solid build quality, long battery life, and fast charging capabilities make it an attractive option for those looking for a reliable and feature-packed device.
While the smartphone comes with some pre-installed bloatware and the ultra-wide and macro cameras could be better, these are relatively minor concerns in the overall scheme of things. The Poco F5 5G delivers a well-rounded experience, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment and worth considering for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.
