Xiaomi Poco M4 5G (India) 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 M4 5G is a budget smartphone that offers 5G connectivity at an affordable price. It features a decent design, a 90Hz display, a capable processor, and a long-lasting battery. However, it does have some drawbacks, such as average camera quality and a not-so-great Android skin. Overall, it provides good value for money but may not stand out in a highly competitive market.

Design and Build Quality

The Poco M4 5G has a stylish plastic chassis with a glass front and a plastic back. It comes in three youthful color options - Poco Yellow, Cool Blue, and Power Black. The polycarbonate back gives it a premium look without feeling cheap. The rear panel has a textured finish, while the camera module stands out with a glossy finish. The phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack and is splash resistant. Overall, it has a trendy design that appeals to the younger audience.

Display

The Poco M4 5G features a 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The display is sharp and offers good color reproduction. The 90Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and improved responsiveness. However, the touch response could be better, and there may be some lag while swiping and using the phone. Overall, the display is satisfactory for a budget device.

Performance

The Poco M4 5G is powered by the MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 chipset, which is an octa-core processor. It offers decent performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The phone comes with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the variant, which allows for smooth multitasking. The internal storage options are 64GB and 128GB, and there is a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage. Overall, the performance is satisfactory for a budget device.

Software and User Interface

The Poco M4 5G runs on Android 12 with Xiaomi's MIUI 13 skin on top. While MIUI is highly customizable, it does come with some bloatware and unnecessary features. The Android skin may not be to everyone's liking, but it does offer a smooth and responsive user experience. However, it's not the best Android skin available, and some users may prefer a cleaner, stock Android experience.

Camera

The camera setup on the Poco M4 5G is not the strongest. It has a single 13MP main sensor at the back and a 5MP selfie camera. The main camera performs well in daylight, handling exposure and colors decently. However, in challenging lighting conditions, the pictures may turn out softer with a lot of noise. The phone lacks an ultrawide angle sensor, which is a disappointment for photography enthusiasts. Overall, the camera quality is average and may not satisfy those looking for great photography capabilities.

Battery Life

The Poco M4 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which offers excellent battery life. With moderate usage, the phone can easily last a full day without needing to be charged. However, the charging speed is not the fastest, as it only supports 18W wired charging. It would have been nice to see faster charging capabilities, especially considering the large battery capacity.

Connectivity and Networking

As the name suggests, the Poco M4 5G comes with 5G connectivity, making it future-proof in terms of network compatibility. It also supports other connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NFC, and an infrared port. The phone has a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking.

Additional Features

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the Poco M4 5G with its direct competitors in the budget segment, such as the Moto G31, Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, and Nokia G50, it holds up well. It offers similar specifications and features at a competitive price point. However, for a slightly higher price, consumers can get devices with better camera quality and additional features like an OLED display. The Poco M4 5G is a good option for those on a tight budget but willing to compromise on some aspects.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers good value for money as a budget smartphone with 5G connectivity. It has a stylish design, a decent display, satisfactory performance, and a long-lasting battery. However, it falls short in some areas, such as camera quality and the Android skin. If you're on a tight budget and prioritize 5G connectivity, the Poco M4 5G is worth considering. However, if you can spend a bit more, there are other devices in the market with better camera capabilities and additional features.