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Poco F5 Pro mid budget smartphone review

Soumen Maity

May 21, 2023

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Detailed Review of Poco F5 Pro

The Poco F5 Pro, the latest flagship phone from Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, is here to impress. With its impressive specifications and a surprisingly reasonable price, this device stands out in the Android market. It’s important to note that the F5 Pro should not be confused with the F5 or the X5 models from the same company.

One of the standout features of the F5 Pro is its generous storage options. Users can choose between 256GB or 512GB, ensuring ample space for all their digital needs. Additionally, the top-end model boasts a staggering 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, surpassing the memory capacity of many laptops.

While the smartphone comes in a reasonably thin black plastic case, it’s worth mentioning that this is one area where corners have been cut. The plastic case can feel somewhat cheap and flimsy when compared to the premium glass or ceramic designs found in other smartphones. However, investing in a good, solid case should help alleviate this concern.

the Poco F5 Pro boasts a stylish and sleek appearance. Its glass back panel smoothly curves towards the edges, providing a comfortable grip. Additionally, the phone is relatively lightweight, weighing only 204g, which is quite impressive for a device of this size. The front of the phone features a stunning 6.67″ flat display with thin, uniform bezels, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the Poco F5 Pro.

However, when it comes to durability, the Poco F5 Pro falls short of being the best option available. While the display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which offers a decent level of protection, the phone’s IP53 certification for dust and water resistance is somewhat disappointing. It provides basic protection against splashes of water but does not offer comprehensive water resistance.

The F5 Pro presents a rather unassuming design at first glance, with a plain black slab (also available in white) that showcases only a small front-facing camera hole. Positioned high enough on the screen, it doesn’t obstruct web pages or video content.

In terms of build, the phone’s plastic frame and glass sandwich construction contribute to its relatively lightweight nature for its size, tipping the scales at 204g. However, the overall feel is somewhat flimsy, prompting new owners to prioritize acquiring a sturdy case. Fortunately, a soft silicone case is included in the box. The front is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, ensuring solid durability. On the other hand, the back of the phone is made of toughened glass with kevlar accents along the sides. Handling the phone without a case may result in a slippery grip, and the back’s glossy surface tends to attract dust and fingerprints.

In terms of layout, all the expected elements are in their rightful places. A rectangular camera bump is positioned diagonally at the top left on the phone’s back, while the lock and volume buttons reside on the right side. At the base, you’ll find a USB-C port alongside the SIM tray. Unfortunately, there is no headphone socket, but the phone does feature two speakers—one at the top and another at the bottom.

To speak on speaker quality, the phone features two small lines of five holes each, cleverly positioned at both ends of the device. This design allows for a decent attempt at stereo sound when watching videos in landscape mode. However, as is common with phone speakers, it is advisable to opt for a pair of high-quality wireless headphones or a Bluetooth speaker for an enhanced audio experience. While the phone’s speakers may not deliver exceptional audio quality, they perform adequately for speakerphone usage, handling the relatively low-quality audio required for such situations without any significant issues.

In the realm of battery life, the Poco F5 Pro stands out with its impressive 5160mAh battery, surpassing the capacities of its competitors like the Pixel 7 Pro or Galaxy S23 Ultra. This means you can expect decent battery performance from the device. Remarkably, Poco has managed to incorporate such a substantial power storage within the phone’s sleek profile, showcasing their engineering prowess.

Charging the Poco F5 Pro is a breeze, thanks to the inclusion of a 67W wired charger in the box. This allows for swift charging times and ensures that you can get back to using your device quickly. Additionally, unlike many mid-range phones, the Poco F5 Pro also offers a rare feature – 30W wireless charging. This adds a layer of convenience and flexibility to your charging options.

When it comes to wired charging, the Poco F5 Pro delivers exceptional speed. In just 15 minutes of charging, you can attain a 35% charge from a completely drained battery. After 30 minutes, the battery reaches the 50% mark, demonstrating the device’s impressive charging capabilities.

To assess battery life performance, the Poco F5 Pro underwent the PCMark battery life benchmark test, which yielded an impressive total of 12 hours and 32 minutes. This solid result further reinforces the device’s ability to keep up with your daily usage demands.

The Poco F5 Pro smartphone offers an irresistible allure to potential buyers with its affordable price tag. It’s a fantastic bargain considering what it brings to the table.

In terms of specifications, the Poco F5 Pro aligns perfectly with 2022 flagship models, making it more than capable of handling our daily tasks on these pocket supercomputers we carry around. The device boasts impressive features like extended battery life, a commendable main camera, and remarkably fast charging capabilities, which further enhance its value proposition.

However, there are a few aspects to consider. While the plastic frame may not be a major concern since most users tend to utilize phone cases, the user interface (UI) presents some issues. Additionally, the limited lifespan of software updates is a notable drawback. Given the impressive hardware, it’s a shame that the software fails to live up to its potential, especially when devices like this can easily remain useful beyond the typical three-year period of security patches.