Xiaomi Poco C51 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Xiaomi Poco C51 is a new smartphone that was announced on April 7th, 2023 and released on April 13th, 2023. It is a budget-friendly device designed for individuals who desire a high-quality phone without breaking the bank. The Poco C51 comes with a large 6.52-inch display, a powerful Mediatek Helio G36 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable through a microSD card. Additionally, the device has a dual rear camera setup that consists of an 8-megapixel primary lens and a 0.08-megapixel depth sensor. The front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel lens that is capable of recording 1080p videos. This review will provide an in-depth analysis of the Xiaomi Poco C51, outlining its design, display, performance, software, camera, battery life, connectivity, and additional features. We will also compare it with other related phones, highlight its pros and cons, and provide a final verdict and recommendation.

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Poco C51 has a sleek and modern design that's sure to turn heads. The phone measures 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) and weighs 192g (6.77 oz), making it a bit heavier compared to some of its competitors. The phone's body is made of plastic, which is understandable given its price range, but it still feels sturdy and solid in hand. The phone is available in two colors: Power Black and Royal Blue.

In terms of ergonomics, the Poco C51 is easy to hold and use with one hand thanks to its slim profile. The power button and volume rocker are placed on the right side of the phone, and they are easily accessible. The fingerprint scanner is located on the back of the phone, which is a convenient location for unlocking the device.

One of the Poco C51's standout features is its large 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display is bright and vibrant, making it great for watching videos and browsing the web. However, the resolution is not as high as some of its competitors, which may affect the clarity of text and images.

Overall, the Xiaomi Poco C51 has a solid build quality and a modern design that's sure to appeal to many users. While it may not be the most premium-looking phone on the market, it's a great value for its price point.

Display

The Xiaomi Poco C51 boasts a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of around 269ppi. The screen-to-body ratio is impressive, coming in at approximately 81%, which provides a large viewing area for users. The display also features a peak brightness of 400 nits, which makes it bright enough to use in direct sunlight.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the Poco C51's display are satisfactory, with colors appearing rich and vibrant, and the overall tone balanced and natural. The display's contrast is decent, providing good visibility even in darker scenes.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the Poco C51's display are noteworthy, with the screen being highly responsive to touch input and gestures. The display's accuracy is also impressive, with minimal lag or delay when scrolling or typing.

Overall, the Poco C51's display is a solid performer, offering a decent viewing experience with vivid colors and excellent touch sensitivity. While the resolution may not be as high as some other devices, it is still more than adequate for everyday use, and the large display size provides an immersive viewing experience.

Performance

The Xiaomi Poco C51 is powered by a Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) chipset and an octa-core CPU that runs at a maximum clock speed of 2.2 GHz. It also comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC slot.

In terms of overall performance, the Poco C51 handles day-to-day tasks with ease. Multitasking is a breeze, and apps open quickly and run smoothly. However, when pushed to its limits, the phone can struggle with more demanding apps and games, particularly those with high graphics demands.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Poco C51 can handle most games, but you may experience occasional frame drops and lag. The phone's PowerVR GE8320 GPU is not the most powerful, but it can handle most games at low to medium graphics settings.

The phone's benchmark scores are in line with other devices in its price range. In the Geekbench 5 test, the Poco C51 scored 366 in single-core and 1138 in multi-core. In the 3DMark benchmark, the phone scored 639 in the Sling Shot Extreme test.

Overall, the Poco C51 offers solid performance for its price range. It may not be the most powerful phone out there, but it can handle most day-to-day tasks and games with ease. If you're a power user or need a phone that can handle more demanding apps and games, you may want to consider a more high-end device.

Software and User Interface

The Poco C51 runs on Android 13 (Go edition) with MIUI on top. The operating system is designed to help budget devices run smoothly and efficiently, and it does just that on the Poco C51. The UI is clean and user-friendly, with customizable app icons and themes.

The device comes with pre-installed apps, but fortunately, they aren't overwhelming. Users can easily uninstall apps they don't need to free up space. The settings menu is well-organized and easy to navigate.

One of the best things about the Poco C51 is its customization options. Users can customize the home screen, lock screen, and even the notification shade. There are plenty of themes to choose from, and users can also create their own using the built-in theme editor.

The device also offers a good multitasking experience. The 4GB of RAM is enough to keep multiple apps running in the background without any lag. The Mediatek Helio G36 chipset provides smooth performance, even when running intensive apps.

The Poco C51 is a great phone for those who want a budget device that doesn't compromise on the software experience. The device runs smoothly and offers plenty of customization options. The only downside is that it may not receive software updates as frequently as more expensive devices.

Camera

The Xiaomi Poco C51 boasts a dual camera setup on the rear, consisting of an 8 MP primary lens with f/2.0 aperture and a 0.08 MP depth sensor. The rear camera is accompanied by a dual-LED flash and supports HDR mode for enhancing photos. The front-facing camera is a 5 MP lens with f/2.2 aperture, and it supports 1080p video recording at 30fps.

In daylight conditions, the rear camera performs well, capturing images with good color accuracy and sufficient detail. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to produce sharp and clear images, and the quality drops significantly. The depth sensor works well in portrait mode, producing a decent bokeh effect.

The camera app on the Poco C51 is user-friendly and offers various modes such as portrait, night, and panorama. However, the absence of a dedicated macro mode can be a drawback for users interested in close-up photography.

The video recording capabilities of the Poco C51 are impressive, with the rear camera supporting 1080p video recording at 30fps. The video quality is decent, with good color accuracy and stability.

Overall, the camera performance of the Poco C51 is decent for its price range. While it may not be the best in low-light conditions, it is still capable of producing good quality images in daylight. However, users interested in macro photography may need to look elsewhere.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The Xiaomi Poco C51 is well-equipped when it comes to connectivity and networking. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, and it also has dual SIM card slots for added convenience. The device also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 5.0, which provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity.

Unfortunately, the Poco C51 does not have NFC, which may be a downside for some users who rely on this feature for mobile payments or other tasks. However, the device does have GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate and reliable navigation, which is a major plus.

The device also has a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, although it does not support the latest USB-C standard. It does support OTG, which allows users to connect USB flash drives or other peripherals to the device.

In terms of sensors, the Poco C51 has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner for added security and convenience, as well as an accelerometer for motion sensing.

Overall, the Xiaomi Poco C51 offers a solid set of connectivity and networking features, although the lack of NFC may be a drawback for some users.

Additional Features

The Xiaomi Poco C51 is a budget smartphone that comes with a few additional features that are worth mentioning. Firstly, the device does not have any water or dust resistance, so users should be careful not to expose it to any liquids or dust particles that could damage the device.

However, the Poco C51 does come with a dedicated microSD card slot that allows users to expand the storage capacity of the device up to 512GB. This is a great feature for those who need more space to store photos, videos, and other files.

The audio quality on the Poco C51 is decent, and the device comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a rarity in modern smartphones. Additionally, the device has a loudspeaker that produces decent sound quality.

Another feature of the Poco C51 is the fingerprint sensor located on the rear of the device. The sensor is fast and accurate, and it allows users to unlock the device quickly and securely.

Overall, while the Xiaomi Poco C51 may not have as many additional features as some of its more expensive counterparts, it does come with a few useful features that make it stand out from other budget smartphones.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to comparing the Xiaomi Poco C51 to other phones on the market, there are a few options worth considering. One device that comes to mind is the Samsung Galaxy A12, which offers a similar price point and display size. However, the Poco C51 stands out with its more powerful processor and slightly better camera quality.

Another phone worth comparing to the Poco C51 is the Nokia G20, which boasts a larger battery and a more durable design. However, the Poco C51 has a slightly better screen-to-body ratio and faster charging capabilities.

If you're looking for a budget phone with great performance, the Poco C51 is also a strong competitor to the Moto G30. While the Moto G30 has a slightly larger display and better camera quality, the Poco C51 offers a faster processor and longer battery life.

Overall, the Poco C51 stacks up well against other budget devices on the market, offering competitive specs at an affordable price point.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Poco C51 is an excellent device that offers a lot of value for its price. With a sleek and modern design, a vibrant display, and a powerful processor, this smartphone is perfect for both casual and heavy users alike. Its camera capabilities are impressive, and it can capture high-quality images in various lighting conditions. The battery life is also noteworthy, and it can last for extended periods without needing to be charged.

While the device's low-resolution display might be a turn-off for some users, it is still a minor complaint compared to all the other great features it offers. Additionally, the limited storage capacity might also pose an issue for users who require more space for their files and apps. However, the phone's expandable storage option is a great workaround for this issue.

Overall, the Xiaomi Poco C51 is a highly recommended device for those on a budget who don't want to compromise on performance and features. Its affordability, combined with its impressive specifications, make it an excellent option for anyone looking for a reliable and budget-friendly smartphone.