POCO X5 Pro 5G review

Xiaomi’s cheap Poco phones have been great over the years. They have great specs and a nice design, but they don’t cost as much as some other phones. For 2023, the Poco X5 line is more of the same. The phones are slightly better than the X4 models, but they are still great deals in a crowded market. Here, I’m testing the X5 Pro, where “Pro” often just means that it has more features than the standard model.

Overall, these two phones look a lot alike and have a lot in common, but the Pro has a better main camera, faster charging, and, strangely, newer software. There are some great mid-range phones, like the Pixel 6a and the OnePlus Nord 2T, but Xiaomi once again undercuts its competitors for those on a tight budget.

POCO X5 Pro 5G SPECIFICATIONS

POCO X5 Pro 5G review: Design and Display

Even though it’s cheap, the X5 Pro’s design feels very similar to that of other premium phones. In the past, Poco’s products haven’t always looked so great, so the brand has taken this chance to improve things. This year’s smartphone has squared-off corners and a more rectangle shape. The phone looks and feels a lot more expensive. Its shape is similar to the Galaxy S23 and the iPhone 14, but it is a little bit thinner. On the back, the camera bump with all three sensors and a flash is in the top left corner. On the right side, you’ll see the brand’s seal of ownership.

This year, the Poco name is written sideways in block capitals, just like it is on the regular Poco X5. It looks pretty cool, or at least as cool as a brand name on the back of a phone can look. Poco tried to do something different with the back of the X5 Pro, but it didn’t quite work out. Instead of a smooth panel, the X5 Pro has a panel made of rough plastic. It looks like the brand tried to make the style more high-end, but ended up with something very different. You can buy this smartphone from its official website

POCO X5 Pro 5G review: Camera

Poco phones, which are on the cheaper end of the market, aren’t always known for their photos. In fact, Poco seems to have trouble with it more than most. This year’s fix seems to be giving the main camera a few more megapixels in an attempt to make things bigger.

The main camera takes pictures that are clear and have bright colors. The bigger 1/1.52-inch sensor and f/1.9 aperture also make the pictures bright. The main camera lets in a lot of light and takes pictures that look like they came from a more expensive mid-range phone or even a cheap premium phone.

POCO X5 Pro 5G review: Battery life

No matter which one you choose, don’t expect to be able to add more storage. However, the phone does have Dynamic RAM, so you can set aside up to 5GB of internal room for it. If something isn’t broken, don’t fix it. That’s why Xiaomi’s 5000mAh battery and 67W fast charging are back for round two. They can charge the phone in about 50 minutes and keep it going all day. The phone doesn’t have wireless charging, which isn’t surprising given how much it costs, but it does come with a fast charger.

Price and availability

This year’s Poco X4 Pro because the 6/128GB model cost only £259/€299 last year. Going cheaper than Google and OnePlus is a guaranteed way to stand out and attract buyers who don’t stick to just one brand. Sure enough, the Poco X5 Pro costs just $299/€299 and comes with a good 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space. For an extra $349/£369/€349. you can get 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space.

Final Words

On the outside, there isn’t much that makes the Poco X5 Pro a better phone than the X4 Pro. However, the extra power inside makes a big difference in how it works. In particular, the X5 Pro is a better low-cost gaming phone, and the whole user interface (UI) also works well. The phone is also smaller and lighter than its predecessor.

POCO X5 Pro 5G review: THE GOOD AND THE BAD

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