In the ever-evolving world
of smartphones, POCO, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, has shaken things up with its
latest addition to the C series, the POCO C65. This budget-friendly device is a
game-changer, boasting a 6.74-inch HD+ display with a blazing 90Hz refresh
rate, a MediaTek Helio G85 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, a mighty 5000mAh
battery equipped with 18W fast charging, and a promising 50MP rear camera. In
this comprehensive review, we'll dive deep into the POCO C65, scrutinizing
every aspect – design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software.
POCO C65 Full Specifications |
|
|---|---|
| General | |
| Brand | Poco |
| Model | C65 |
| Release date | 5th November 2023 |
| Launched in India | Yes |
| Form factor | Touchscreen |
| Dimensions (mm) | 168.00 x 78.00 x 8.09 |
| Weight (g) | 192.00 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 5,000 |
| Removable battery | No |
| Fast charging | Proprietary |
| Colours | Black, Blue, Purple |
| Display | |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Resolution Standard | HD+ |
| Screen size (inches) | 6.74 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Resolution | 1600x720 pixels |
| Pixels per inch (PPI) | 260 |
| Hardware | |
| Processor | Octa-core |
| Processor make | MediaTek Helio G85 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Internal storage | 128GB |
| Expandable storage | Yes |
| Expandable storage type | microSD |
| Expandable storage up to (GB) | 1000 |
| Dedicated microSD slot | Yes |
| Camera | |
| Rear camera | 50-megapixel + 2-megapixel |
| No. of Rear Cameras | 2 |
| Front camera | 8-megapixel |
| No. of Front Cameras | 1 |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Android 13 |
| Skin | MIUI 14 for Poco |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v 5.30 |
| Micro-USB | Yes |
| Headphones | 3.5mm |
| FM | Yes |
| Number of SIMs | 2 |
| Sensors | |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes |
| Proximity sensor | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient light sensor | Yes |
Design: Stylish but Not Without Flaws
The POCO C65 arrives with
a sleek plastic body, featuring an eye-catching glossy finish in three
captivating colors: Black, Blue, and Purple. The rear panel houses a
rectangular camera module that hosts the star of the show, the 50MP main
camera, and a 2MP macro camera, accompanied by an LED flash. The iconic POCO
logo graces the lower left corner of the back. On the right side, you'll find
the power button doubling as a fingerprint scanner and a volume rocker. The
left side offers a hybrid SIM slot that can host two nano-SIM cards or a
nano-SIM card and a microSD card. The top of the phone houses a 3.5mm headphone
jack and a secondary microphone, while the bottom accommodates a micro USB
port, a primary microphone, and a speaker grille.
The POCO C65 is a
substantial device, measuring 168×78×8.09mm and weighing 192g. It's relatively
large and heavy, which might be a drawback for users with petite hands. The
glossy back is a fingerprint magnet, so it's wise to consider using a case or a
skin to keep it clean. Unfortunately, the phone lacks an official IP rating, so
it's not water or dust-resistant. Handle it with care around liquids and dusty
environments.
Display: A Mixed Bag
The POCO C65 features a
6.74-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels and an aspect
ratio of 20.6:9. The display sports a notch on top, housing an 8MP selfie
camera, and supports a commendable 90Hz refresh rate, offering smoother
animations and transitions. With a peak brightness of 400 nits, it fares well
indoors but struggles in bright outdoor settings. The display is protected by
Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring a degree of scratch and crack resistance.
In terms of display
quality, the POCO C65 delivers what you'd expect in its price range. The colors
are decent but not exceptionally vibrant, and contrast and sharpness leave room
for improvement. A noticeable blue tint can be adjusted in settings. The
absence of HDR or wide color gamut support limits the display's potential.
Moreover, the relatively low pixel density of 264 ppi can make text and icons
appear pixelated. Unfortunately, the display lacks the option to adjust the
refresh rate, always operating at 90Hz, which can be a drain on the battery.
Performance: Decent but Not for Gamers
Under the hood, the POCO
C65 boasts an octa-core MediaTek Helio G85 processor, built on a 12nm process,
featuring two 2GHz Cortex-A75 cores and six 2GHz Cortex-A55 cores. It's
accompanied by a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU running at up to 1000MHz. The phone comes in
two variants: 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage and
8GB of LPDDR4X RAM with 256GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage. An additional 8GB
of RAM expansion is supported, creating a virtual RAM space. A microSD card
slot allows for external storage expansion of up to 1TB.
The POCO C65 delivers a
commendable performance for daily tasks and most apps, offering a smooth user
experience with minimal lags. Casual and medium-level gaming, such as Subway
Surfers or Temple Run, runs smoothly at low to medium settings. However,
resource-intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile push the
phone's limits, resulting in performance drops and overheating. Annoyingly, the
phone comes with some bloatware and intrusive ads.
Camera: A Mixed Bag of Surprises
The POCO C65's camera
setup features a 50MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2MP macro
camera with an f/2.4 aperture. The rear camera supports video recording at up
to 1080p resolution at 30fps, with electronic image stabilization (EIS). It also
offers various modes and features, including HDR, AI scene detection, night
mode, portrait mode, panorama, and pro mode. The 8MP front camera captures
selfies at up to 1080p resolution at 30fps, with EIS and additional features
like HDR, AI beautify, portrait mode, and palm shutter.
In favorable lighting
conditions, the POCO C65's rear camera shines, delivering sharp, detailed shots
with accurate colors and dynamic range. Portrait shots offer a pleasing bokeh
effect with precise edge detection. However, the camera struggles in low-light
and indoor environments, producing noisy, grainy, and blurry images. The fixed
focus makes close-up shots a challenge. Regrettably, the 2MP macro camera
doesn't contribute much to the overall camera experience. The front camera
excels at daylight selfies, boasting natural skin tones, exposure, and
beautification effects. But, it disappoints in dimly lit or indoor settings,
resulting in soft, dull, and smudgy selfies.
Battery: A Workhorse with Fast Charging
The POCO C65 houses a
substantial 5000mAh battery, capable of powering through a day of moderate
usage – browsing, social media, streaming, and gaming. With 18W fast charging,
you can juice up the phone from 0 to 50% in just 45 minutes, and a full charge
takes approximately 2 hours. The phone offers battery optimization features,
including battery saver, ultra battery saver, and adaptive battery, extending
battery life by minimizing performance and background activity. However, it
lacks wireless charging and reverse charging, features not commonly found in
this price range.
Software: A Love-Hate Relationship
The POCO C65 runs on
Android 13, the latest version of the Android operating system, with MIUI 14
for POCO as its custom skin. MIUI 14 introduces a host of features like a
control center, floating window, game turbo, video toolbox, second space, dual
apps, app lock, theme store, and security app. While these additions enhance
functionality, MIUI 14 has its fair share of drawbacks, including a cluttered
interface, bloatware, occasional ads, and some bugs and glitches. The absence
of an app drawer can make the home screen feel chaotic, and the lack of a
notification history makes tracking missed notifications challenging.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag of Potential
The POCO C65 is an
intriguing budget smartphone, boasting a 90Hz display, a 50MP camera, and a
robust 5000mAh battery. With decent performance, a stylish design, and the
latest software, it checks several boxes. However, it's not without its
downsides, including a subpar display, a middling camera, the outdated micro
USB port, and bloatware-ridden software. It faces fierce competition from other
brands, like Realme, Samsung, and Motorola, which offer similar or better
features at the same or even lower prices. The POCO C65 is a solid choice for
those seeking a 90Hz display and a 50MP camera in a budget smartphone, but it
may not be the best pick for those desiring superior display quality, camera
performance, overall speed, or cleaner software.
Ready to make the POCO C65
your budget-friendly companion? Visit our website to explore this smartphone
and make it yours today!
Source of this Review:
FAQs:
1. What are the key features of the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 is a budget
smartphone with a 90Hz display, a 50MP camera, and a 5000mAh battery. It also
features a MediaTek Helio G85 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of
storage.
2. How is the display on the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 has a
6.74-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display is decent for
everyday use, but it lacks HDR support and has a relatively low pixel density.
3. How is the performance on the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 delivers
decent performance for daily tasks and most apps. Casual and medium-level
gaming run smoothly at low to medium settings. However, resource-intensive
games can push the phone's limits, resulting in performance drops and
overheating.
4. How is the camera on the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 has a 50MP
rear camera and an 8MP front camera. The rear camera performs well in favorable
lighting conditions, but it struggles in low light and indoor environments. The
front camera excels at daylight selfies, but it disappoints in low light.
5. How is the battery life on the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 has a 5000mAh
battery that can easily last a day with moderate use. It also supports 18W fast
charging.
6. What is the software like on the POCO C65?
The POCO C65 runs on
Android 13 with MIUI 14 for POCO. MIUI 14 introduces a host of features, but it
also has its fair share of drawbacks, including a cluttered interface,
bloatware, and occasional ads.
7. Is the POCO C65 a good value for the price?
