6 Pros & Cons of the POCO C65: A Decent Budget Smartphone
Being introduced in early January 2024, POCO C65 is a budget-friendly phone that stands out in the $100 price range. What makes this device particularly interesting is that it offers 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM, which is quite impressive for its price.
Curious to know the pros and cons of the POCO C65? Let’s dive in!
Pros of POCO C65
What does the POCO C65 bring to the table for its $100 price range? Here are some of the key advantages that make it stand out:
1. Reliable Chipset Paired with 6 or 8 GB RAM
The POCO C65 features the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, which is one of the top chipsets available in the entry-level category. With a 12 nm fabrication process, the Helio G85 stands out in its price range and even competes with higher-priced models.
While not the fastest chipset available, the Helio G85 offers impressive performance for its $100 price tag. It comprises eight processor cores: two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2 GHz for high performance, and six Cortex-A55 cores running at 1.8 GHz for efficiency. Additionally, it includes a Mali G52 MP2 GPU with a 1000 MHz frequency.
According to test data from Dhriti Datta at Digit.in, the POCO C65 scores 273,662 on AnTuTu. In GeekBench, it achieved 433 in single-core performance and 1,243 in multi-core performance.
From our own experience, the POCO C65 handles games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 quite well. However, tests by Siddharth Suvarna from Gadgets360.com indicate that these games need to be played on low graphics settings to run smoothly.
You can comfortably play Mobile Legends on medium graphics settings with the POCO C65. For daily tasks, the phone's performance is sufficient, though not particularly fast. Given its $100 price tag, users should expect some compromises.
However, the device offers a decent amount of RAM. The POCO C65 is available in two variants: 8 GB RAM with 256 GB of internal storage, and 6 GB RAM with 128 GB of storage. If you need more memory, the phone supports microSD expansion, allowing you to increase storage by up to 1 TB.
The 6 GB and 8 GB RAM options are impressive at this price point, especially considering that, as of 2024, smartphones with only 4 GB of RAM may struggle to meet even basic daily needs.
2. Offering Premium Design in the Budget Smartphone Category
POCO offers a unique design that sets it apart from Xiaomi phones. One of the most notable features of the POCO C65 is its rear camera module. It has a simple yet elegant design, particularly in the blue variant, which resembles the more expensive ASUS Zenfone 10, priced at $699.99.
The POCO C65 is also available in black and purple. Both of these variants feature a camera bump that is characteristic of POCO phones. However, it's worth noting that the signature yellow color typically associated with POCO is missing from this lineup.
In addition to its affordable price, the POCO C65's plastic design is visually appealing. Weighing in at 192 grams, it may seem heavy, but according to Siddharth Suvarna from Gadgets360.com, the phone actually feels lighter in hand.
He also mentioned that while the POCO C65 has a plastic body, the matte finish on the back adds a sleek touch. However, users should be cautious, as the matte surface can feel a bit slippery. On the plus side, the design doesn’t easily show fingerprint smudges.
Dhriti Datta from Digit.in praised the POCO C65's design, calling it attractive and classy. However, she suggested that future models in the C series could benefit from improved grip and ergonomics.
3. Expansive Display with Corning Gorilla Glass Protection
The POCO C65 features a spacious 6.74-inch display, making it ideal for multimedia activities like watching videos or scrolling through content. With an 83.7 percent screen-to-body ratio, the design ensures minimal distractions.
It uses an IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels), which is quite reasonable for its price range. What makes the POCO C65 stand out is its 90 Hz refresh rate, providing smoother visuals. The refresh rate is adaptive, meaning the phone automatically adjusts between 60 Hz and 90 Hz based on the app in use, optimizing performance and battery life.
The POCO C65 also offers a comfortable outdoor viewing experience with a peak screen brightness of up to 600 nits, which is 100 nits higher than the Redmi 12C. It also comes with TuV Rheinland certification for low blue light and flicker-free performance, ensuring safer and more comfortable usage.
Another standout feature is the Corning Gorilla Glass protection, making the screen more resistant to scratches and cracks, enhancing its durability.
One aspect that may catch users' attention is the relatively thick bezel. However, this is understandable given the phone’s affordable price range.
4. Good Quality Photos from Both Rear and Front Cameras
The POCO C65 features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50 MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a focal length of 28 mm, utilizing the SmartSens SC202CS sensor. Complementing this is a 2 MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens, likely serving as a depth sensor.
According to the manufacturer, the main camera's portrait creation speed is up to 65 percent faster, and it performs 34.9 percent better in low-light conditions.
Siddharth Suvarna from Gadgets360.com notes that while the daytime image and video quality from the main sensor offer average color and detail, the 50 MP mode produces quite good results. The POCO C65 captures clear and detailed photos in bright conditions.
Source: Gadgets360
Source: Digit.inHowever, the camera performance in low-light conditions is less impressive, with noticeable noise in the images. Switching to night mode improves the results slightly, making the images brighter and reducing noise. Here are some examples of the POCO C65’s rear camera performance in low-light situations.
Source: Gadgets360On the front, the POCO C65 features an 8 MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and an HDR mode to enhance selfie quality. The front camera delivers decent photos with satisfactory detail and includes a beauty mode. It also supports portrait mode for more professional-looking selfies.
Both the front and rear cameras are capable of recording video in 1080p at 30 fps. However, the video quality from both cameras is average.
5. Decent Connectivity with NFC and USB Type-C Support
The POCO C65 offers comprehensive and impressive connectivity options. It supports dual-band WiFi, allowing the phone to efficiently split internet usage between two bands for better speed and performance.
Additionally, it features Bluetooth 5.3, which provides reliable connectivity. The POCO C65 also includes NFC, which is increasingly popular for functions such as digital transactions, checking e-money balances, or using it as a key card for lodging.
Another notable feature is the USB Type-C port, which adds modern convenience. The phone also integrates a fingerprint sensor into the side power button, making it easily accessible for unlocking the device while holding it.
6. 2-Times OS Update Guarantee and Long Warranty
The most interesting thing about the POCO C65 is its after-sales service. Buyers receive a generous 15-month warranty, which is unusual for smartphones in the $100 range, where warranties typically last less than a year.
Additionally, the POCO C65 is guaranteed to receive OS updates for up to 2 years or 2 iterations. At launch, it runs Android 13, meaning it will be eligible for updates up to Android 15.
This update guarantee is notably impressive, especially since long-term OS support is rare for Xiaomi phones, particularly in the budget segment.
Cons of POCO C65
Despite its appealing features, the POCO C65 remains an entry-level phone priced affordably. There are still some areas where it falls short and might be worth considering before making a purchase. Here are a few of the POCO C65’s shortcomings:
1. Mediocre Battery Life and Long Charging Times
The POCO C65 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that generally lasts through a day of use. However, in battery tests, such as the 4K video loop test by Dhriti Datta from Digit.in, the phone managed only 8 hours of playback, which is relatively short compared to some competitors offering longer battery life.
Additionally, the POCO C65 has slow charging speeds. Despite supporting 18-watt charging, the included 10-watt charger results in a lengthy charge time of nearly 3 hours.
2. Internal Storage Still Using eMMC
The POCO C65 provides generous internal storage options, with 128 GB and 256 GB capacities. However, it uses eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) storage, which is slower compared to the more advanced UFS (Universal Flash Storage) standard.
eMMC has several drawbacks that can affect productivity. For instance, its transfer speeds are slower, which means you'll experience delays when moving or copying files. Unlike UFS, which supports command queueing and simultaneous read/write operations, eMMC uses a half-duplex interface, allowing only one operation at a time.
The main advantage of eMMC is its lower production cost, which helps keep the phone’s price affordable. Despite this, the POCO C65 compensates with a separate microSD slot, enabling storage expansion up to 1 TB without interfering with dual SIM card usage.
3. No Hardware Gyro and Infrared Sensor
The POCO C65 does come with some notable sensors, such as NFC and a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. However, it lacks a few key sensors that might affect usability for some users.
Notably, the POCO C65 does not include a hardware Gyro sensor; instead, it relies on a virtual Gyro sensor. This can impact the gaming experience, particularly for games like PUBG Mobile that require precise gyro sensor input.
Additionally, the POCO C65 is missing an infrared sensor, which is typically found on other affordable Xiaomi phones, including those in the POCO C series. This omission might be a drawback for users who frequently use their phone’s infrared capabilities.
4. Does not Support Wi-Fi Direct
Another drawback of the POCO C65 is its lack of support for Wi-Fi Direct, despite its dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi Direct allows devices to connect directly to each other without needing a router or other intermediary, a feature available on other budget Xiaomi phones like the Redmi 12C and Redmi 10C.
While this feature can be useful for direct device-to-device connections, it is a minor detail that may not impact every user. Its significance largely depends on individual needs and usage patterns.
Summary
The POCO C65 is an appealing entry-level smartphone, priced around $100. Its design gives a modern and premium impression, distinguishing it from other budget options.
One of the standout features of the POCO C65 is its display. Despite the HD+ resolution, the phone offers a 90 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 600 nits, enhancing user comfort. Additionally, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, adding durability.
In terms of performance, the POCO C65 is competitive for its price range, with options for 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM. However, it uses eMMC storage, which is slower compared to the more advanced UFS standard.
Noteworthy features include NFC support and a 50 MP camera, making the POCO C65 a solid choice if you're looking for a budget phone with these capabilities. For those needing a phone around $100 with NFC, an attractive screen, and sufficient performance for light gaming, the POCO C65 is a compelling option.