Are Poco smartphones good?
Poco smartphones have an average overall score of 7.9, placing them #9 among all brands, and a user rating of 9.2, which ranks them #4 in user reviews.
Poco smartphones—created as a Xiaomi sub-brand in 2018 and now operating independently—have earned a reputation for delivering impressive performance at accessible prices. Models like the Poco F6 and F7 Ultra showcase high-end specs: top-tier chipsets (e.g., Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Snapdragon 8 Elite), vibrant AMOLED or 2K displays with high refresh rates, large battery capacities, and fast charging—all while undercutting traditional flagships. Reviewers consistently praise Poco’s value—highlighting blazing-fast overall performance, great gaming capability, and solid visual systems—even if software (HyperOS) and camera quality don’t quite match flagship standards.
That said, Poco devices don’t come without trade-offs. Thread discussions and professional reviews point to concerns like average camera performance, software bloat, and occasional build-design choices that feel more utilitarian than premium.
(Note: A total of 37 brands were evaluated in the comparison in the first paragraph. Only those with at least 6 smartphones in our database that were released after 2022 were included.)
The best available Poco smartphones (with the highest overall score) are as follows:
- Poco F8 Ultra (16GB + 512GB) Overall score: 9.09
- Poco F8 Pro (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.71
- Poco F7 (12GB + 512GB) Overall score: 8.24
The following chart ranks smartphone brands by their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-14855520977915281854131920228859147337322180876303]What are the main advantages of Poco smartphones?
The main advantages of Poco smartphones are as follows:
- Performance for price: Many Poco models use high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon processors such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Snapdragon 870 in devices that cost under £430, so they deliver flagship-level performance at mid-range prices.
- High refresh rate displays: Most models feature 120 Hz AMOLED or LCD panels with up to 240 Hz touch sampling rate, which improves motion smoothness and touch response in gaming and everyday use.
- Large batteries with fast charging: Batteries often have 5,000 mAh capacity and support up to 120 W fast charging (full charge in about 19 minutes on top models), so usage time is long and recharging is quick.
- Advanced camera systems: Some devices include 64 MP or 108 MP main sensors with OIS and ultra-wide cameras, and certain models add macro lenses for close-up shots.
- Aggressive thermal management: Many Poco smartphones integrate liquid cooling technology (up to 3,000 mm² vapor chambers) to maintain performance in long gaming sessions.
- Expandable storage and dual SIM: Several models support microSD expansion up to 1 TB and dual SIM functionality, which increases flexibility for travel or work use.
What are the main disadvantages of Poco smartphones?
Poco smartphones have the following disadvantages:
- Software ads and bloatware: MIUI for Poco includes pre-installed apps and ads in system menus, which may require manual removal or disabling.
- Limited water resistance: Most models lack full IP68 certification and only have basic splash resistance, so they are less protected in wet environments.
- Average low-light photography: Despite high megapixel counts, night shots can show noise and reduced detail compared to flagship competitors.
- Plastic build materials: Many models use plastic frames and backs instead of metal or glass, which reduces premium feel.
- Irregular software updates: Android version upgrades can be slower than on brands like Google or Samsung, and long-term update support is shorter.
- Heavier weight: Devices often weigh over 200 g because of large batteries and cooling systems, which can reduce comfort in one-handed use.
