Poco C61 Review India: A Budget Smartphone with Value-Packed
Features
Poko has been offering good products for some time, mainly
for various price categories. X-Series offers flagship-grade features, while
M-Series provides a punch in the mainstream category. However, it’s the
C-series that provide real value for money proposition. The latest addition to
this series is Poko C61, which brings a fresh design language with a good
combination of software and hardware at an initial price of Rs 6,999. But how
does it perform in comparison to the rivals? We've spent some time with the
device, so here’s our first look.
Starting with the design, Poko has brought a new approach to
this segment where most phones provide a standard design language. Three colors
are available for the phone: Mystical Green, Ethereal Blue, and Diamond Dust
Black. Opting for the Mystical Green color option, it certainly stands out with
its new radiant ring design. The back panel, made of glass, features a large
spherical ring housing the camera module, with added details to enhance its
premium look. From the rear panel, it gives the impression of a mid-premium
smartphone, which is impressive considering its price. The flat frame makes it
easy to hold in hand. At 8.3 mm thick and weighing 193 grams, it feels
surprisingly light and smooth.
Turning it over, you're greeted with a large screen with
reasonably sized bezels around the edges. While not the thinnest in its
segment, it strikes a good balance. The punch-hole cutout houses the selfie
camera. Speaking of the display, you get a 6.71-inch HD+ LCD display with a
90Hz refresh rate and a 1650 x 720 pixels screen resolution. With a peak
brightness of 500 nits and an 89.5 percent screen-to-body ratio, the screen
offers an enjoyable viewing experience for your video content on the go.
In terms of performance, the Poko C61 is powered by the
MediaTek Helio G36 processor, designed for entry-level gaming smartphones.
Paired with 6GB of RAM and 6GB of virtual memory (bringing it up to 12GB of
RAM), the device offers smooth scrolling and multitasking. The handset also
offers storage options up to 128GB, expandable to 1TB via a microSD card slot.
Although we've only had a short time with the device, its performance seems
quite satisfactory.
Running on Android 14 operating system, the phone promises a
modern software experience. However, detailed testing is required to fully
assess its capabilities. In terms of cameras, the Poco C61 features a dual rear
camera setup with an 8-megapixel primary sensor and an unspecified secondary
camera. For selfies, there's a 5-megapixel shooter. Despite the modest sensor
specifications, the company has added features like AI Portrait mode, Time
Burst, Film Filter, and more to enhance the photography experience.
Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging
support. Connectivity options include a 3.5mm audio jack, single speaker,
Bluetooth, GPS, and a Type-C port.
Overall, the Poko C61 offers a compelling package for
budget-conscious consumers, combining a fresh design, satisfactory performance,
and feature-rich software experience. Stay tuned for our detailed review to
delve deeper into its capabilities.
