Welcome to our Poco C65 review, where we delve into the details of this new entrant in the smartphone market. The Poco C65 has been making waves with its promising features and competitive pricing, sparking interest among tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.
In this review, we aim to provide a thorough and unbiased analysis of the Poco C65. We’ll explore its design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and more. Our goal is to help you understand whether this smartphone is the right fit for your needs.
We understand that choosing a smartphone is a significant decision. It’s not just about the device’s specifications; it’s also about how those specifications translate into real-world performance. That’s why our Poco C65 review will focus on both the technical aspects and the user experience.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer looking for a device that can handle the most demanding games, a photography enthusiast seeking a phone with a high-quality camera, or someone who simply wants a reliable smartphone for everyday use, this review is for you.
Stay tuned as we unravel the strengths and weaknesses of the Poco C65, providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Let’s dive in!
Poco C65 Specification
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 2023 |
| Dimensions | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm |
| Weight | 192g |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Display | 6.74 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels, IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| OS | Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G85 |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB, 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF |
| Secondary Cameras | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 0.08 MP (auxiliary lens) |
| Selfie Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Battery | 5000 mAh, non-removable, 18W wired charging |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Purple |
| Price | ₹7,987 |
Design and Build Quality
The Poco C65 is a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics. The design is modern and appealing, especially to the younger demographic. The rear panel features shiny accents, giving the phone a contemporary and upbeat appearance. The top portion retains a black bar, synonymous with affordable Poco phones.
The phone is available in two colors: Matte Black and Pastel Blue. The Matte Black variant we reviewed has a sophisticated and sleek look. The Pastel Blue variant, on the other hand, adds a touch of vibrancy.
Despite its budget-friendly price, the Poco C65 feels good in hand. The placement of the volume rockers and the power button are quite apt. Other ports include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C charging port, and a SIM card tray.
The build is mostly plastic, which doesn’t feel sub-standard. The rear panel does a great job of repelling fingerprint smudges. The phone is also lightweight, weighing just 192 grams.
The Poco C65 features a large display with thick bezels. While the bottom bezel is particularly thick, giving the phone an outdated look, it doesn’t take away from the overall user experience.
Poco C65 offers a solid build quality and a modern design at an affordable price point. It’s a testament to Poco’s commitment to delivering value for money to its customers. In the next section, we’ll delve into the display quality of the Poco C65. Stay tuned!
Display Quality
The Poco C65 comes with a 6.74-inch HD+ display. The resolution is 720 x 1600 pixels, which is standard for a phone in this price range. The display also features a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth visual experience, especially when scrolling or playing games.
The colors on the display are decent. They are not overly saturated, and the viewing angles are good. The phone is set to auto-refresh by default, which automatically switches between 60 and 90Hz based on the content. This feature helps to optimize the battery life.
However, the display does have some limitations. It lacks HDR or wide color gamut support, which limits its potential. There’s also a noticeable blue tint, but it can be adjusted in the settings.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Poco C65’s display performs well under direct sunlight. It’s not a bad display at all, and it provides a satisfactory viewing experience for its price range.
Camera Quality
The Poco C65 is equipped with a 50MP primary camera. This camera captures decent daylight pictures with acceptable dynamic range. However, there is a bit of oversharpening, and the shadow areas can get crushed severely. Despite these minor issues, the photos look nice enough, especially for such a budget device.
The phone also features a 2MP dedicated macro snapper. It’s based on the SmartSens sc202cs sensor with a 1/5″ sensor size and 1.75 µm individual pixels. It sits behind an f/2.4 lens. The Poco C65 also seems to have a third camera on the back, a very small one that the official website only lists as an “auxiliary” unit. We assume it is a depth sensor of some sort.
Finally, we have the 8MP selfie camera. It is based on the OmniVision ov8856 sensor with a 1/4″ sensor size and 1.12 µm pixels. It sits behind an f/2.0 fixed focus lens.
The main camera on the Poco C65 captures decent, if largely unimpressive, 1080p videos. The level of detail is okay, given the resolution, colors are nice and mostly natural, too. Dynamic range is a bit narrow for our taste. Contrast is cranked a bit high, which results in an overprocessed look.
Poco C65 offers a solid camera setup for its price point. While it may not be the best choice for photography enthusiasts, it should suffice for casual users who want to capture their daily moments. In the next section, we’ll delve into the battery life of the Poco C65. Stay tuned!
Performance
The Poco C65 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC. This isn’t a new chipset, and you may notice some lag while using the device. Multi-tasking isn’t that smooth on this device, especially when more than a couple of apps are running in the background. However, it can handle your tasks, and you can try some light games like Subway Surfer.
Despite these limitations, the Poco C65 delivers a commendable performance for daily tasks and most apps, offering a smooth user experience with minimal lags. Casual and medium-level gaming, such as Subway Surfers or Temple Run, runs smoothly at low to medium settings. However, gaming can be choppy and laggy, especially after 20-30 minutes of gameplay in BGMI or COD: Mobile.
As for the software, you get Android 13 with MIUI 14 out of the box. It is rife with bloatware; I’m talking about 9-10 preinstalled games alongside a bunch of random third-party apps. This could be a downside for users who prefer a clean, bloat-free software experience.
While the Poco C65’s performance might not blow you away, it’s decent enough for a budget smartphone. It should suffice for casual users who primarily use their phone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. In the next section, we’ll delve into the software and user experience of the Poco C65. Stay tuned!
Battery Life
The Poco C65 is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery. This is one of the standout features of the device, especially considering its budget-friendly price point. The phone easily lasts for an entire day per charge despite mild gaming, 90Hz refresh rate enabled, and calling.
However, the battery performance may vary depending on your usage. For instance, if you’re a heavy user who frequently plays games like BGMI or COD: Mobile, the battery might deplete quicker. But for regular use, such as browsing, social media, and light gaming, the Poco C65 offers solid battery life.
One downside is that the phone comes with a 10W charger, which means it might take a while to fully charge the device. But considering the price point and the overall battery performance, this is a minor drawback.
Poco C65 offers impressive battery life, making it a good option for users who require their phone to last at least one full day on a single charge. In the next section, we’ll delve into the software and user experience of the Poco C65. Stay tuned!
Software and User Experience
The Poco C65 runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14 out of the box. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, offering a smooth user experience. However, it comes with a significant amount of pre-installed apps. This includes 9-10 preinstalled games and a bunch of random third-party apps. While some users might find these apps useful, others might consider them bloatware
While some users might find these apps useful, others might consider them bloatware. Despite the presence of these pre-installed apps, the Poco C65 delivers a commendable performance for daily tasks and most apps.
Casual and medium-level gaming, such as Subway Surfers or Temple Run, runs smoothly at low to medium settings. However, gaming can be choppy and laggy, especially after 20-30 minutes of gameplay in BGMI or COD: Mobile.
Poco C65 offers a decent software experience for its price point. While the presence of bloatware might be a downside for some users, the overall user experience is satisfactory. In the next section, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of the Poco C65. Stay tuned!
Poco C65 Pros and Cons
The Poco C65 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a decent set of features. Here are some of the pros and cons based on various reviews:
Pros:
- Decent Display: The Poco C65 includes a tall display, good for reading or watching videos.
- Solid Battery Backup: The Poco C65 offers a solid battery backup, plus there’s a USB-C port for charging.
- Good Primary Camera: The primary camera captures decent daylight pictures with acceptable dynamic range.
- Port Selection: The placement of the volume rockers and the power button are quite apt.
- Storage Options: Its new 256GB storage option will excite some customers.
Cons:
- Loads of Pre-installed Apps: The phone comes with a significant amount of pre-installed apps.
- Slow Charging: The Poco C65 takes over 1.5 hours to fully charge with the bundled charger.
- Performance: The phone can handle tasks with negligible stutters, but it’s not suitable for heavy gaming.
Poco C65 is a decent option for entry-level smartphone users.
FAQ
What are the selling points of Poco C65?
- Immersive 6.74″ display
- 90Hz high refresh rate
- TÜV Low Blue Light certification and TÜV Flicker-Free certification
- Large 5000mAh battery and 18W Type-C PD fast charging
What are the first operating systems for the Poco C65?
MIUI 14 for POCO
Is there an 8GB RAM option for Poco C65?
Yes, Poco C65 offers a variant with 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM
What are the screen capabilities of the Poco C65?
Poco C65 boasts a big 6.74″ HD+ 90Hz Smooth Display
What are the camera capabilities of the Poco C65?
Poco C65 features a 50MP AI Triple Camera
Does Poco C65 have a macro camera?
Yes, Poco C65 comes with a 2MP camera which helps in taking closeup shots
Does Poco C65 come with a charger in the box?
Yes, Poco C65 comes with a 5000mAh battery with a 10W C-type charger in the box
Does Poco C65 have a fingerprint sensor?
Yes, Poco C65 comes with a fast side fingerprint sensor with gesture control
How durable is the Poco C65?
Poco C65 provides Corning Gorilla Glass protection with splash resistance and dust protection
What are the dimensions of Poco C65?
The dimensions of Poco C65 are 168mm x 78mmx 8.09mm (HeightWidthThickness) and its weight is only 192g
Can I use 5GHz Wi-Fi on Poco C65?
Yes, Poco C65 supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5GHz)
Does Poco C65 come with MIUI Dialer?
Yes, Poco C65 comes with MIUI Dialer
Can I use my wired headphones/ earphones with Poco C65?
Yes, Poco C65 comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack so you can use your wired headphones/ earphones with the phone
Conclusion: Poco C65 Review
The Poco C65 is a decent option for entry-level smartphone users. It offers a good-enough hardware and specs for its price category. The phone can handle tasks with negligible stutters. Its new 256GB storage option will excite some customers.
However, if you are a heavy gamer or if you prefer a bloat-free software experience, you might want to consider other options. Overall, the Poco C65 provides good value for money, making it a viable choice for those on a tight budget. It’s a testament to Poco’s commitment to delivering value for money to its customers.
