Xiaomi Poco X6, X6 Pro, M6 Pro: Large batteries, high performance, low prices
Poco is launching three new smartphones on the market. I'll show you the differences between the three entry-level devices from 230 to 350 francs or euros.
X6, X6 Pro and M6 Pro: Xiaomi subsidiary Poco is entering 2024 with these three new smartphones. The three models are surprisingly affordable - and surprisingly similar. In this article, I explain the differences between the models and why the M6 Pro should actually be called the X6 Light.
Poco X6: Large battery and beautiful screen
The X6 costs 300 francs or euros with 8 GB of RAM. 256 GB of memory is standard - that's twice as much as normal in this price range. As an upgrade, 12 GB of RAM is available for an additional 30 francs/euro. Another 40 francs/euros more and Poco doubles the memory to 512 GB.
Where is the manufacturer investing? For example, in the 6.67-inch Amoled screen, which has a refresh rate of up to 120 hertz. And the brightness of 1200 to 1800 nits is also surprisingly high. Also pleasing: Poco doesn't skimp on the glass: the X6 is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, the manufacturer's second-best strength.
Source: Poco
The battery is quite large at 5100 mAh. Despite this, the device only weighs 181 grams. The battery can be charged with 67 watts. A fast charger is also included. Have savings been made on the processor? Not necessarily. The built-in Snapdragon 7s Gen2 has been available since the autumn. It is considered to be very efficient, but on paper it is only mid-range. But that's enough for the price.
The big question is how good the camera's main sensor with 64 megapixels and optical image stabilisation is. There is also a wide-angle camera with 8 megapixels, a macro with 2 megapixels and a selfie cam with 16 megapixels.
Some details are pleasing: The housing is splash-proof to IP54. The fingerprint sensor is installed under the screen and you get a slot with two places for SIM cards. Both support 5G.
You will have to do without fast WiFi 6, 6e or even 7, as only WiFi 5 is available. And wireless charging is also not possible with the X6. And the back of the device is made of plastic rather than glass.
Poco X6 Pro: More processor, less battery
If you think that the Pro simply has a little more of everything than the X6, you are mistaken. It's more the case that the model, which is around 50 francs or euros more expensive, has a different focus
The processor: The X6 Pro uses the Dimensity 8300 Ultra, which is only a few weeks old. This is the best processor from the manufacturer Mediathek and comes close to the performance of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, at least on paper. This is the processor that was installed in last year's top Android mobiles.
Source: Poco
The screen and camera, on the other hand, are identical to those of the normal X6. And there are only minimal differences in terms of weight and size. You can get the Pro with either a vegan leather back (i.e. artificial leather) or plastic like the X6
In the details, however, the Pro sometimes even has to admit defeat to the cheaper model. For example, the screen is only protected with Gorilla Glass 5 and not Victus. And the battery is 100 mAh smaller. The only advantage in the details of the Pro: it also supports WiFi 6 and not just 5 like the normal X6.
Poco M6 Pro: Now it gets complicated
There is actually a third new smartphone. But the model name doesn't make any sense. It is more of an X6 Light than an M6 Pro. In terms of price, it is the cheapest of the three devices: you pay 230 francs or euros for the version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage - surprising that this size remains the basis. For 300 francs or euros, you get 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.
The MediaTek Helio G99-Ultra is used as the processor. At first glance, the manufacturer has saved money here. In fact, the Helio is likely to be cheaper than a corresponding processor from Snapdragon. But it is not yet clear whether it is also worse. This is because the G99-Ultra is being used for the first time ever in the M6 Pro.
Source: Poco
Other than that, the differences between the models are fairly small: the M6 Pro has a slightly less bright screen and the battery is only 5000 mAh. You have to make compromises when it comes to mobile communications: 5G is not supported. However, you can insert a memory card into the second SIM card slot. This is not available on the X6 models. What's more, the M6 Pro even has a headphone jack - something you hardly find on the market anymore. Nevertheless, the most affordable Poco innovation is protected against splash water in accordance with IP54.
Three phones that differ only slightly
It would actually have been enough for Poco to launch two new models instead of three. The differences between the new products are very small - as are the price differences. The X6 is probably the best solution for most people. The X6 Pro offers more processing power, but this is not really relevant in the entry-level class.
The M6 Pro covers the niche within the niche. It's really only interesting if you don't have a 5G subscription and absolutely want a headphone jack and/or memory card slot at the same time.
It is not yet clear when the three models will be available in our shop. If you click on "like" on the Xiaomi brand page in the shop, you will find out in good time when the time comes.
Cover photo: Poco67 people like this article
Gadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.