The Poco C75 5G is Xiaomi’s latest attempt to capture the budget 5G smartphone market. With a starting price of under Rs 9,000, it certainly ticks the affordability box. But does it offer enough to compete in this crowded segment? I’ve spent some time with the Aqua Bliss variant, and here’s my hands-on review.

Design and Build

• 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.22mm | 212.4 grams
• IP52 rating
• Colors: Aqua Bliss | Silver Stardust | Enchanted Green

The first thing that struck me about the Poco C75 5G is its eye-catching design. The Aqua Bliss variant boasts a mesmerizing wavy pattern on the back, creating a dynamic look that shifts with the light. It’s one of the most visually appealing phones in this price range. The phone feels comfortable to hold, thanks to its curved edges and relatively slim profile.

For durability, the C75 offers an IP52-rated splash-resistant body. It weighs 205.3 grams and has a thickness of 8.2mm. In my opinion, the design of the Poco C75 5G is so impressive that even flagship phones fall short in comparison.

Surprisingly, the retail package does not include a case. This seems to be a cost-cutting measure, but it can be inconvenient for buyers who need to purchase a case separately

Display and Audio

• 6.88-inch LCD HD+ (1650 x 720) screen
• 600nits of peak brightness
• Singe speaker

The C75 5G sports a massive 6.88-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the HD+ resolution might seem a bit low for a screen this size, it’s a common compromise in budget phones. The display quality is decent, with vibrant colors and good viewing angles. With a peak brightness of 600 nits, the screen is easily visible indoors. However, using it under direct sunlight can be a challenge. This brightness level is a good balance of price and performance, making it suitable for everyday use, especially in shaded areas.

The 120Hz refresh rate is a fantastic feature, providing a smooth scrolling experience overall. I’ve noticed it occasionally drops to 60Hz in some apps, but it’s still a great feature to have. Additionally, having access to customizable color schemes at this price point is a nice bonus. For audio, the device is equipped with a single bottom-firing speaker, which produces a decent audio output.

Performance and Software

• Snapdragon 4s Gen 2
• LPDDR4x RAM | UFS 2.2
• Variants: 4GB+64GB
• Android 14 | HyperOS
• 5,160mAh battery | 18W wired charging
• Ships with 10W charger

Under the hood, the Poco C75 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM. While this configuration is sufficient for basic tasks like browsing and social media, it can feel sluggish when running demanding games or multitasking.

These days, 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM feels quite limited on a smartphone. This doesn’t mean that the phone lags; it performs quite well, but in due course, the 4 GB RAM may fall short. To ensure that the phone works smoothly, I would advise regularly clearing apps from the recent menu and avoiding having too many apps open in the background. You might also consider limiting background processes in the developer options.

The Poco C75 comes with 64 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which is a significant advantage as it avoids the outdated eMMC storage found in some other devices. For those needing additional storage, there is a dedicated microSD card slot. The phone runs on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS skin on top. While the software experience is generally smooth, it does come with some pre-installed bloatware apps that can be annoying. An advantage of the Poco C75 5G compared to other phones in the same price segment is the longer software. The C75 users will be treated with two years of Android OS upgrades and four years of security patches.

One of the highlights of the Poco C75 5G is its long-lasting battery life. The 5,160mAh battery easily lasts for a full day of moderate use. However, the charging speed is a bit disappointing. While the phone supports 18W fast charging, it ships with a 10W charger. This means it takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge the device. Thankfully, the phone has a USB-C port, which is becoming increasingly common in this segment.

Camera and Other Features

• Front: 5MP Sony IMX852 camera
• Rear: 50MP + 0.08MP

The Poco C75 5G has a 50-megapixel main camera and an auxiliary lens camera. For selfies, it is equipped with a 5-megapixel front camera. In daylight conditions, the rear camera captures decent photos with good detail and color accuracy. However, low-light photography is not its strong suit. The front-facing camera is adequate for selfies and video calls.

The Poco C75 5G is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in the market. It supports SA 5G networks, which means it’s future-proof and ready for the next generation of mobile internet. The partnership between Xiaomi and Jio ensures that the phone works seamlessly on Jio’s SA 5G network. The Poco C75 5G comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome addition for those who prefer wired audio.

Verdict

The Poco C75 5G marks a significant milestone for both Poco and the Indian smartphone market. Its aggressive pricing of just Rs 8,499 (~$100) makes it the most affordable 5G phone available, effectively democratizing access to next-generation connectivity. The phone is available for purchase via Flipkart.

While achieving this price point has necessitated some compromises that I have mentioned in this review, the C75 5G remains a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers eager to embrace 5G. If you’re seeking an entry point into the world of 5G speeds and can accept these trade-offs, the Poco C75 5G is undoubtedly worth considering.

Released a month before the C75, the Poco C75 has a rebranded variant called the Redmi A4 5G. Available via Amazon. It comes in two options: 4GB+64GB for Rs 8,499 and 4GB+128GB for Rs 9,499. The phones can be purchased in Starry Black and Sparkle Purple shades.

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The post Poco C75 5G review: Should this be your first 5G phone? appeared first on Gizmochina.

While the smartphone market across other categories has tough competition,  the entry-level segment in 2024 is less crowded than in previous years. That is not to say brands haven’t launched phones in this range, but not all of them are a great bargain for their prices.

Fortunately, we’ve been able to put together a list of the best entry-level smartphones that we believe are worth your money. Keep in mind that the entry-level segment focuses on the essentials, so you won’t find premium features here. 

However, one thing we made sure of while creating this list is that every phone supports 5G. While leading software support or top-tier cameras may not be a priority in this segment, securing a 5G handset is essential in 2024, regardless of the price.

Let’s get started.

Tecno Pop 9 5G

Tecno may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of smartphones, but its Pop 9 5G brings a lot to the table, especially for its price.

The Tecno Pop 9 5G is surprisingly sleek with its 165 x 77 x 8 mm frame and a weight of 189g. While its build is nothing fancy – a glass front and plastic back – it is a unique-looking phone for the segment. It has a squircle camera island and the sensors are aligned vertically with an LED flashlight to their right. Tecno even ships two skins in the box if you wish to customize the design.

It’s also IP54 dust and splash-resistant, which is a nice bonus for a budget phone. The 6.6-inch IPS LCD display features a 120Hz refresh rate but has an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels (~267 ppi). It’s not the sharpest display in this list, but it should be good enough for everyday use like social media and videos.

It is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) which is one of the best smartphone chips in its segment. Accompanying this is 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage).

The phone is fueled by a 5000mAh battery that supports 18W wired charging. The camera setup includes a 48MP rear camera with dual-LED flash and an 8MP selfie camera that also comes with dual-LED flash for better low-light selfies. Video recording tops out at 1080p@30fps.

Poco C75 5G

Poco C75 is the company’s most recent offering for the global market. The phone is a bit hefty at 204g weight and is a bit on the large side, with a 6.88-inch display (720 x 1640 resolution). But that extra real estate can be a plus if you watch a lot of videos. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of brightness.

This phone is powered by the Mediatek Helio G81 Ultra (12nm), paired with 6GB or 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The latter can be expanded up to a terabyte via a microSD card.

It has a 5160mAh battery that should easily last a full day. The cell gets its juice back from 18W wired charging and surprisingly, for the price, the Poco C75 even has PD charging support. It has a 50MP main camera and a 13MP selfie camera.

Honor Play 9T

Honor’s Play 9T brings some premium touches to the budget space, making it a compelling option for those who prioritize battery life and design.

At 197g, the Play 9T feels robust, and its IP64 water and dust resistance adds an extra layer of reassurance. The 6.77-inch TFT LCD display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and decent colors, though its 720 x 1610 resolution isn’t the sharpest in the category. 

The phone runs on the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset (4nm), which is a step above many of its competitors in efficiency. The memory option includes 8GB or 12GB RAM and up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. 

This phone truly shines with its massive 6000mAh battery. It’ll easily last two days for average users, and the 35W wired charging is faster than most phones in this price range. 

Its dual-rear camera system includes a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth lens. On the front, there’s a basic 5MP selfie camera.

Motorola Moto G35 5G

Motorola’s budget offerings have long been about balance, and the Moto G35 5G is no different. It’s practical, reliable, and doesn’t try to do too much.

At 188g, the G35 is lighter than most competitors. It features Gorilla Glass 3 on the front for added durability and comes with a water-repellent design. The phone is slim at 7.8mm, making it comfortable to hold. 

The 6.72-inch IPS LCD display offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 1080p resolution, which is a clear step up from the competition in terms of sharpness (~392 ppi density). It also supports HDR10 and can hit 1000 nits peak brightness.

Powered by the Unisoc T760 chipset (6nm), the G35 handles day-to-day tasks smoothly. You get up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, plus a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage. 

The 5000mAh battery is reliable and should last a full day of moderate use. Charging is capped at 18W. The dual-camera setup includes a 50MP main lens and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. A 16MP camera sits on the front for selfies with video recording support of up to 4K@30fps.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the most balanced option, the Motorola Moto G35 5G could be the best bet with its sharper display, decent cameras, and solid build quality. For battery lovers, the Honor Play 9T has a massive 6000mAh cell and faster charging support. 

The Poco C75 5G also offers excellent value for budget users, while the Tecno Pop 9 5G keeps things basic but functional for first-time smartphone buyers.

No matter which you choose, all of these phones deliver the essentials without skimping too hard.

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Poco has launched its latest budget 5G smartphone, the C75 5G, in India, alongside the Poco M7 Pro 5G. With competitive pricing and powerful features, the Poco C75 5G is designed to provide a reliable 5G experience in the affordable smartphone segment. Let’s take a detailed look at what the phone offers.

Poco C75 5G Specifications

Poco C75 5G features a 6.88-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and improved responsiveness for an enhanced user experience. The display sports up to 600 nits of peak brightness. The front camera is housed inside a notch at the top of the display.

Under the hood, the Poco C75 5G is powered by the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 SoC with Adreno 611 GPU. The phone comes with 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Users can expand the storage up to 1TB via a dedicated microSD card slot.

The smartphone runs on Android 14 out of the box, with Xiaomi’s HyperOS on top. Poco promises 2 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates, ensuring users will receive continued support and improvements over time.

On the camera front, the C75 5G features a 50MP primary rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture, allowing for clear and detailed shots. The main sensor is accompanied by a secondary camera for depth or additional features. For selfies, the device houses a 5MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

The phone is equipped with a robust 5160mAh battery, which should easily last a full day of usage. It supports 18W fast charging, but POCO includes a 33W charger in the box, which is a nice addition for faster top-ups.

Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm audio jack, 5G SA, and FM Radio support. The phone is also IP52-rated, making it resistant to dust and light splashes.

Pricing and Availability

The Poco C75 5G is priced at Rs. 7,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant. It comes in Enchanted Green, Aqua Blue, and Silver Stardust color options. The smartphone will be available for purchase starting December 19th at 12 PM exclusively on Flipkart.

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Though we are approaching the end of the year, new smartphones continue to launch. Four brands have scheduled events for the next few days

Two of these conferences headed by Vivo and Honor will take place in China. On the other hand, the remaining two by Poco and Realme will be held in India.

Honor will take the wraps off a performance-oriented phone. Meanwhile, other companies will unveil budget models.

Let’s go through these products one by one.

Upcoming Smartphones Next Week

Vivo Y300 5G

The Vivo Y300 5G is set to launch in China on December 16 (Monday). The device will be positioned below the recently released Vivo Y300 Pro 5G.

The phone is tipped to house a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. It is said to sport a 6.77-inch 1.5K 120Hz flat OLED display, a 50MP primary camera, and an 8MP selfie camera.

The handset will boot Android 15 and will be backed by a 6,500mAh battery with support for 44W charging.

Honor GT

The Honor GT is scheduled to launch in China on December 16 (Monday). It will be the first model in the new series.

The performance-focused smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. It will be equipped with a 1.5K flat OLED display.

The device will carry support for 100W wired charging. It is expected to take on Redmi K80, iQOO Neo 10, and the upcoming OnePlus Ace 5.

Poco M7 Pro 5G and Poco C75 5G

The Poco M7 Pro 5G and the Poco C75 5G will make their official debut in India on December 17 (Tuesday). The former is a newer phone, while the latter is a 5G variant of an existing model.

The Poco C75 5G will be a rebranded Redmi A4 5G. It will arrive with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chip, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 2 years of OS updates, and a MicroSD card slot. It will be priced below ₹8,000.

Whereas the Poco M7 Pro 5G will be a tweaked version of Redmi Note 14 5G. It is teased to come with an OIS-assisted 50MP Sony LYT-600 main camera and several AI features. The device is expected to offer an FHD+ 120Hz OLED display and a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset.

Realme 14x 5G

Realme 14x will be announced in India on December 18 (Wednesday). It will be the first smartphone under ₹15,000 to have an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance.

The product is expected to sport a 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz display (LCD) and a 50MP primary camera. It will draw energy from a 6,000mAh battery and support 45W wired charging.

The handset will be available in Jewel Red, Golden Glow, and Crystal Black color options.

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The Poco M7 Pro 5G and the Poco C75 5G are set to debut on Dec. 17 in India. Each of these phones is equipped with stellar features that are poised to redefine the smartphone user experience in the mid-range and low-budget smartphone categories. Poco has recently confirmed key specifications of both devices. Here is a look at the details that have been officially confirmed by the brand.

Poco M7 Pro 5G

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is designed for photography enthusiasts, featuring a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 sensor. This camera is enhanced by the segment’s largest f/1.5 aperture, which significantly improves low-light photography. Users can capture vibrant, detailed images in any lighting condition, making it ideal for documenting life’s precious moments.

Additionally, the M7 Pro 5G is equipped with a comprehensive AI suite, including AI Zoom and AI Night Mode. These intelligent features facilitate effortless photo editing, allowing users to enhance images, remove unwanted elements, and achieve a polished finish with minimal effort.

Poco C75 5G

On the other hand, the Poco C75 5G is geared towards users seeking robust performance and efficiency. It is powered by a 4nm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 processor, the only one of its kind in its segment.

The C75 5G supports up to 8GB of RAM, including 4GB of virtual expansion, and offers storage extendable up to 128GB. It will have other features, such as a microSD card slot, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an MIUI dialler. The handset is entitled to receive two years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which is excellent considering that it will be an entry-level 5G phone priced at around Rs 7,000.

The Poco M7 Pro 5G and the Poco C75 5G each bring unique strengths to the table. The M7 Pro 5G excels in photography with its advanced sensor and aperture, complemented by AI-powered features that simplify the process of capturing and editing stunning photos. Meanwhile, the C75 5G focuses on delivering high performance and efficiency, with a powerful processor and ample memory, ensuring a smooth user experience.

These new offerings from Poco cater to different aspects of smartphone use, whether it’s capturing beautiful photos or ensuring reliable performance for everyday tasks. Both models set new benchmarks in their respective segments, making them compelling choices for a wide range of users.

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Poco is launching two new phones in India on December 17th — the Poco M7 Pro and Poco C75 5G. This is not to be confused with the C75, which Poco launched in October as a 4G model with a Helio G81 SoC.

Both the M7 Pro and C75 5G will be available in India through Flipkart. As with most releases, the company has started teasing the phones’ specs ahead of the launch. Here’s what has been revealed so far.

Poco M7 Pro

The Poco M7 Pro will feature a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This panel offers a peak brightness of 2,100 nits for improved outdoor visibility and supports HDR10+. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides protection.  

Poco remains tight-lipped about the exact processor on the machine. The camera setup includes a 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor as its primary lens, accompanied by optical image stabilization (OIS).  A 20MP sensor handles selfie duties. The Flipkart listings also confirm a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C port.

Poco C75 5G

The Poco C75 is a more budget-friendly option with 5G support. It borrows the same design as its 4G counterpart and will be powered by the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM. While the storage option is under wrap, but its confirmed to have microSD card support. 

Moreover, Poco claims the C75 5G will be the only phone in its segment to feature a Sony camera. It will also include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and run Android 14 with Poco’s custom HyperOS skin.

Additionally, Poco promises “2+4 Years Updates” for the C75 5G, which means two years of major OS upgrades and four years of security patches. According to a GSMArena report, the phone will be priced under Rs 9,000 in India.

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After the recent launch of the MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra-powered POCO C75 in the global market, the brand now appears to be looking to launch a 5G version of the device in India. 91mobiles has discovered the POCO C75 5G moniker on the MIUI ROM website which backs this claim. The site reveals that the device carries the model number 24116PCC1I for the Indian variant and will come with HyperOS 1, which is based on Android 14.

Additionally, 91mobiles has claimed that the device will be a rebranded version of the Redmi A4 5G, citing industry sources. For those unaware, the Redmi A4 5G is among the cheapest 5G smartphones in India which launched on November 20, 2024.

What this essentially means is that the specifications of the POCO C75 5G will likely be identical to the Redmi A4 5G. For those unaware, the Redmi A4 5G debuted with a tall 6.88-inch LCD display offering an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. The panel provides an HD+ resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio, and up to 600 nits of peak brightness.

Under the hood, the device houses a Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. There is an option to expand the storage up to 1TB using a microSD card.

The device draws power from a large 5160mAh battery, paired with 18W wired fast charging. For optics, it has a 50 MP primary camera on the back, alongside an auxiliary camera. The front camera is 5 MP. It offers a 3.5mm audio jack with FM Radio support, as well as dual-SIM support for connectivity. At launch, the Redmi A4 5G had a starting price tag of Rs 8,499, so it will be interesting to see how much the POCO rebrand will launch for.

(Source 1, 2)

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