Smartphones
POCO X6 5G : Test / Review
Published on: 27-12-2023 / Modified: 11-01-2024
Xiaomi and its various brands (POCO, Redmi, Xiaomi, Black Shark,...) have been invading the European market for several years, launching numerous models to cover all price brackets, so many that it was easy to get lost. This commercial enthusiasm has now given way to a phase of maturity, with a range of phones that are easier to understand, and new product launches that are more predictable. As every year, POCO's X range will be the first to be released, followed by the Redmi range, including the Redmi Note 13 and Redmi Note 13 Pro, which I'm sure I'll be testing.
POCO's X range represents the mid-range and originally these phones were aimed at gamers looking for performance at a low price. Things changed after the POCO X4, with the X range becoming more accessible to a wider audience, and this trend is set to continue with the new POCO X6. The performance niche remains an important one, but this new smartphone will also move into other niches that had been somewhat neglected by previous generations
Rumors predict a launch of the POCO X6 in early January 2024, so we won't have to wait very long to see if these rumors are confirmed... In the meantime, if you'd like to be notified when my test is published, leave a comment to receive a notification. As is often the case, the launch of a POCO is supported by a lower launch price, so don't miss out.
Manufacturer web site:
https://www.po.co
Structure of my tests
I test the phones according to a pre-established structure (see below) to provide you with as much information as possible. Unfortunately, this takes a long time. Some tests like network performance tests take several days and for photo tests I sometimes have to wait until the weather is suitable to take pictures in good conditions. I am therefore obliged to publish the tests step by step, so I invite you to come back if the test is not complete at the time of your visit.Price Poco X6 5G
The list below shows the prices for the Poco X6 5G from more than 50 sites around the world. If you are not satisfied with any price, you can subscribe to a price alert to be the first to be notified when the price drops.The above links are affiliate links from companies such as Amazon, Gearbest, Aliexpress,... If you appreciate my work, I would be grateful if you could purchase these products through these links. It costs you absolutely nothing but I get a small commission that allows me to buy the material I test. Thank you very much!
Timeline
Not yet available / testedWhy this phone?
I've tested just about every POCO model released in Europe over the past 4 years, and it's almost become a tradition to start the New Year with a test of a new POCO X series. This range of smartphones has come a long way since the POCO X3 (first generation of the X range), which was quite ugly and had a major weakness in terms of network sensitivity. Fortunately, POCO has made up for this with more elegant and affordable phones. Performance may only be of interest to gamers, but if it means an ultra-fast phone for all everyday applications, this phone will appeal to a wider audienceI can't reveal the specifications of this phone just yet, but there are some interesting new features.
Unpacking
Not yet available / testedFirst configuration
Not yet available / testedFinish
Not yet available / testedSpecifications
The information below comes from the Device Info HW application. The application provides detailed technical information about the tested phone.Not yet available / tested
CPU / GPU Performance
Not yet available / tested
Benchmark Antutu/3DMark
Not yet available / testedGaming
To test the performance in game, I download the mobile PUBG game and evaluate the in-game experience, graphics level and depth of vision. This game is quite demanding and should help you evaluating the performance of a phone.Not yet available / tested
Network performance
Not yet available / testedSignal 4G (from December 2020)
I decided to change the methodology for measuring the network because I noticed that the configuration of the mobile network changes over time. This makes it more difficult to compare phones because the conditions are no longer exactly the same.
To overcome this problem, I set up a device that captures 24 hours a day about ten parameters from the mobile network (ex: cell id, rssi, rsrq, snr, frequency,...). I then place the phone next to the device for 24 to 48 hours taking the same measurements so that I can compare them.
Overview of the phones tested with this methodology
Not yet available / tested
Download/Upload speed
To test the download speed, I have identified some 4G cells offering good performance where I test all my devices several times to see what download and upload speed they can achieve.
Wifi performance
To test a phone's ability to receive the network properly, I take measurements near my router and then remotely (and always at the same place). This gives me an average in dBm where a value of -90 dBm indicates poorer performance than a value at -30 dBm.Wifi signal
Not yet available / tested
Download/Upload speed
To test the speed in Wifi, I connect to my router in 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz (if available) and use the Ookla application to measure the speed.
GPS performance
To test the accuracy of the GPS signal, I use two positioning applications to evaluate the difference between the actual position and the position indicated by the phone. This test is done outdoors with nothing to obstruct the signal. An accuracy level of up to 3 meters can easily be corrected by an application (e.g. Google Maps).
Not yet available / tested
Battery range
To test battery life I developed an application that measures the battery level minute by minute until the battery is empty. This application consumes about ten percent of the phone's resources and I do a test with 100 brightness. This test aims to reproduce a contemplative use of a phone (e.g. surfing the internet, reading articles, spending time on social networks). These results are not valid for intensive gaming/streaming use. Not yet available / testedPhoto camera test
To test the quality of photos produced by a phone, I do a technical test (resolution, sharpness, chromatic aberration,...) in studio (identical conditions) to evaluate the technical part objectively. From the second half of 2020, I built my own laboratory to take completely objective technical measurements. I then take pictures in real conditions to see how the camera performs. I then evaluate these photos according to my criteria but I publish the photos so that you can evaluate the result according to your criteria.Hardware
Not yet available / testedPhoto quality
Photo quality (indoor/studio)
The studio test is carried out under the same conditions so that the results can be compared on an equal basis. I calibrate my lighting for each test to obtain the same brightness and colour temperature. This test is a preliminary analysis of the technical qualities of a camera. Most phones fail this test, so you should also read the results of the other tests in the following paragraphs.
Not yet available / tested
Photo: technical test
I was inspired by industrial technical tests to create my own technical test to evaluate the technical quality of a camera. This test is an objective assessment of a camera's ability to render a scene correctly.
I test the following elements:
- centre sharpness, peripheral sharpness
- colour fidelity based on 24 reference colours
- level of chromatic aberration
- dynamic range (ability to capture dark and light areas without loss)
- distortion
The technical evaluation may differ from the subjective evaluation as the feeling of a photo will be influenced by the processing provided by each manufacturer.
Not yet available / tested
Outdoor photo quality
Not yet available / tested
Test photo / night
Not yet available / tested
Video quality
Stabilisation
Not yet available / tested
Video normale conditions
Not yet available / tested
Video low light
Not yet available / tested
External audio quality
This test is intended to give you an overview of the volume and sound quality during calls and when listening to music through the external speakers.
Not yet available / tested
Audio quality (headphones)
To test the quality of the phone's audio output, I connect the device's audio output to a measuring tool, then play sounds on all frequencies and measure the differences between the original sound and the sound produced by the phone. In this way I measure the phone's ability to correctly reproduce all sounds.Not yet available / tested
Screen quality
To test the screen, I use a colorimetric probe that measures the color accuracy of a screen, as well as other parameters to see if a screen is able to correctly reproduce an image. I also test the brightness level to determine if the screen will be able to display an image in full sunlight.Colorimetry
Not yet available / tested
Brightness / Contrast
Not yet available / tested
Biometry
Not yet available / testedOperating system
Not yet available / tested
Encoutered bugs
Not yet available / testedAccessories Poco X6 5G
Compare Poco X6 5G with the others
Test / Review conclusion
Not yet available / tested
Strengths
Not yet available / tested
Weaknesses
Not yet available / tested
Alternatives to this product
Not yet available / tested
Questions/Comments