POCO F5 5G Review: The Budget Gaming Phone That Rises Above Expectations

BGMI’s ban in India left mobile gamers in despair, but its return has sparked a wave of excitement in the gaming community. As players gear up to reclaim their competitive spirit, the hunt for capable gaming devices has now intensified. While many opt for expensive gaming phones, the POCO F5 challenges the notion that top-tier gaming experiences come at a premium price.

The POCO F5, POCO’s flagship offering, is designed to provide gamers with an affordable yet powerful gaming smartphone.

An Affordable Gaming Powerhouse

As an ardent BGMI player, I was intrigued to put the POCO F5 to the test. Could a device in its price range deliver a competitive edge and immerse me in the game? After extensive usage spanning over two weeks, I can confidently say that it not only meets expectations but surpasses them.

The POCO F5 is equipped with the latest mid-range Snapdragon 7+ Gen2 chipset, which shares many similarities with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC of 2022.

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While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 still holds an advantage in certain aspects, the new Snapdragon 7+ Gen2 chipset delivers exceptional performance that is difficult to match in its price range. With this powerful chipset at its core, the POCO F5 offers seamless gameplay, enabling players to fully immerse themselves in intense battles and strategic encounters in games like BGMI. The phone’s responsiveness and smooth frame rates ensure a competitive edge, allowing gamers to stay in sync with every action.

Display: Immersive Visuals for Enhanced Gaming

As a user, I found the display of the POCO F5 to be quite impressive. It retains the same punch-hole 6.7-inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection as its predecessor, the POCO F4. However, there have been notable improvements that enhance the overall viewing experience. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, while the FHD+ resolution of 2,400×1,080p delivers sharp and detailed visuals. But what truly sets it apart is the support for Dolby Vision HDR10+ playback, which adds depth and vibrancy to on-screen content.

One aspect that truly impressed me about the POCO F5’s display is its 12-bit panel. This feature allows the display to produce an impressive 68 billion colours, a significant upgrade from the 1 billion colours of its predecessor, the POCO F4. The increased colour range greatly enhances the richness and accuracy of the visuals, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience.

Moving on to the camera capabilities of the POCO F5, I must say I was thoroughly pleased with the results. The camera setup includes a 64MP primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro unit. The 64MP primary sensor with OIS manages to capture impressive images with sharp details and well-balanced colours.

For photography enthusiasts like me, the POCO F5’s camera setup provides confidence in capturing excellent image quality. I was able to capture my precious moments with exceptional detail and accuracy, thanks to the capabilities of the 64MP primary sensor with OIS.

Connectivity: Fast and Stable Gaming Experience

Connectivity is vital for any online gaming experience, and the Poco F5 doesn’t disappoint in this regard. With its support for 5G connectivity, the phone ensures low latency for smooth online gaming sessions. I tested it on various networks, and the Poco F5 consistently provided stable and fast internet connectivity, enabling me to compete in BGMI with minimal lag.

POCO F5 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery and supports 67W fast charging. The fast charging capability takes around 45-50 minutes to fully charge the device from zero. Once fully charged, the battery provides an all-day battery life, even with heavy usage. I found that even after a full day of use, I still had around 20 percent battery left before going to bed.

Software optimization plays a crucial role in delivering a smooth and seamless gaming experience, and the Poco F5 does not disappoint in this aspect. Running on MIUI 14 based on Android 13, the phone offers a user-friendly interface with a range of customization options. 

Final Review

I strongly believe that the POCO F5 is one of the best gaming-focused smartphones that offers incredible value for its price. Despite a few drawbacks such as the absence of expandable storage and the presence of ads in the software, the phone’s standout features more than make up for it.

What truly sets the POCO F5 apart is its exceptional 12-bit display panel, powerful chipset, immersive stereo speakers, and dependable battery life. These components synergize to create an unparalleled gaming and multimedia experience that is difficult to match within this price range.

Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal experience with the Poco F5 for gaming purposes. Individual experiences may vary depending on usage and personal preferences.

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