Poco has quietly added a new model to its ultra-budget C-series. The phone has launched in select global markets shortly after the Poco C81 and C81x made their way to India. All three share the same core hardware, so the Pro model is more about small upgrades than a completely different device.
Up front, the C81 Pro gets a 6.9-inch LCD panel with HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The resolution is on the lower side, but the higher refresh rate should offer a smooth experience in basic tasks.
The phone is built around the Unisoc T7250 chipset, which is fine for basic tasks like messaging, streaming, and light gaming. Performance should feel familiar if you have used older budget chips like the Snapdragon 680 or Helio G85. Memory is limited to 4GB of RAM, but storage options go up to 256GB. There is also support for microSD expansion.
The camera setup is simple. You get a 13MP main sensor on the back along with an auxiliary lens, and an 8MP camera on the front. It should be good enough for casual shots in decent lighting, but expectations should stay realistic.
Battery life looks like one of the stronger points. The 6000mAh unit, paired with modest hardware, should easily last a full day, and likely more with lighter use. Charging is capped at 15W, so it will take some time to top up.
The phone ships with Android 15-based HyperOS 3. Poco has not shared much about long-term updates yet, which is fairly typical in this segment.
Pricing and availability:
Pricing starts at around $109 for the 128GB variant, with a lower-cost 64GB option also available in some markets. A 256GB version sits higher in the lineup.
- 4GB+64GB: $99
- 4GB+128GB: $109
- 4GB+256GB: $129
Compared to the Indian Poco C81 and C81x, the differences are fairly minor. The Poco C81 Pro feels like a straightforward budget phone that focuses on the basics. The big screen and large battery are clearly the main highlights, and for the price, that might be enough for a lot of users.
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(Xiaomi)
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