POCO X6 Neo 5G : When POCO launched the X6 Neo 5G on March 13, 2024, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Another budget 5G phone promising flagship features at sub-₹15,000 pricing? We’ve heard this story before. But after spending several weeks with this device, I’m genuinely surprised by what POCO has managed to accomplish. At ₹12,990 for the base variant, the X6 Neo 5G doesn’t just compete—it actually delivers on most of its promises.
Design That Defies Its Price Point
The first thing that strikes you about the X6 Neo 5G is how premium it feels despite its affordable pricing. Marvel at the near-bezel-less design of the POCO X6 Neo 5G, providing a stunning visual canvas for your digital adventures. The 7.69 mm slim body not only makes it a style statement but also enhances the in-hand feel, letting you effortlessly navigate your device with finesse.
POCO has clearly put thought into the aesthetics here. The phone comes in three distinctive colorways: Astral Black, Horizon Blue, and Martian Orange. Each variant has its own personality, though I found the Martian Orange particularly eye-catching. The build quality feels solid for a device at this price point, with the IP54 rating providing basic splash resistance—a feature that’s surprisingly rare in budget phones.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and well-positioned, while the face unlock feature works reliably in most lighting conditions. These might seem like basic features, but they’re implemented thoughtfully here.
Display Excellence: 120Hz AMOLED Under ₹13,000
This is where the X6 Neo 5G truly shines. Experience visuals like never before with the 120 Hz AMOLED display, a rarity in this segment. Your content comes to life with vibrant colours and unparalleled clarity, all protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The display’s peak brightness of 1000 nits ensures sunlight won’t dim your viewing pleasure.
Having used flagship phones extensively, I can confidently say this display punches well above its weight class. The 6.67-inch screen offers excellent viewing angles, deep blacks, and vibrant colors that make multimedia consumption genuinely enjoyable. The 120Hz refresh rate transforms everyday interactions, making scrolling through social media or switching between apps feel remarkably smooth.
What impressed me most was the outdoor visibility. Even under direct sunlight, the 1000 nits peak brightness ensures you can read messages, navigate maps, or take photos without squinting. The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection adds peace of mind for everyday use.
Performance: Dimensity 6080 Delivers
Under the hood, the POCO X6 Neo 5G houses the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 processor, a 6 nm 5G powerhouse with a top clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz. This isn’t flagship territory, but for the target audience, it’s more than adequate. The processor handles daily tasks with impressive efficiency, from social media browsing to light gaming.
The 8GB and 12GB RAM variants provide different levels of multitasking capability, though even the base 8GB model handles most scenarios well. The virtual RAM expansion adds an extra buffer, bringing the total to 16GB on the base model. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB, both expandable via microSD—a feature that’s increasingly rare in modern smartphones.
Gaming performance surprised me. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly at medium settings. You won’t get ultra-high frame rates, but the experience remains enjoyable without significant stuttering or overheating issues.
Camera: 108MP Main Sensor Impresses
The camera setup represents a significant milestone for POCO. Unleash your inner photographer with the POCO X6 Neo 5G’s dual camera setup. The 108 MP pro-grade main camera captures the essence of every moment with stunning detail. The in-sensor zoom of 3x ensures that even the center of a 108 MP shot is as crisp as a standalone 12 MP photo.
In daylight conditions, the 108MP sensor produces detailed, vibrant images with good dynamic range. The 3x in-sensor zoom feature works surprisingly well, maintaining detail even when cropping into photos. However, low-light performance shows the limitations of the budget sensor—images become noisy and lose detail in challenging lighting conditions.
The 16MP front camera handles selfies admirably, with decent detail and natural skin tones in good lighting. Video recording capabilities are standard for this price segment, though don’t expect stabilization miracles.
Battery Life: Weekend Warriors Rejoice
The 5000mAh battery easily handles full-day usage, even with the 120Hz display enabled. POCO X6 Neo 5G’s comes with 5000 mAh Weekend Battery. With an impressive standby time of 26.5 days, 29 hours of call time, and 18 hours of YouTube playback at 1080p, this device lets you focus on what matters most.
The 33W fast charging isn’t the fastest available, but it’s adequate for most users. From empty to 80% takes roughly 45 minutes, while a full charge requires about 75 minutes. The included charger in the box is a nice touch that many manufacturers have abandoned.
Software Experience: MIUI 14 Refined
Running Android 13 with MIUI 14, the software experience feels polished despite some typical MIUI quirks. The interface is colorful and feature-rich, though longtime Android users might find it overwhelming initially. Performance remains smooth across most scenarios, with minimal lag during daily usage.
POCO X6 Neo 5G The Verdict: Budget Excellence Redefined
After extensive testing, the POCO X6 Neo 5G emerges as a standout value proposition. It excels in display quality, build aesthetics, battery life, and overall performance—the areas that matter most for everyday usage. While camera performance in low light and gaming capabilities have limitations, these are reasonable compromises at this price point.
At ₹12,990, the X6 Neo 5G offers flagship-like features in a budget-friendly package. For users seeking their first 5G device or upgrading from older budget phones, this represents excellent value. It’s not perfect, but it’s remarkably close to what most people actually need in a smartphone.