Introduction
The budget 5G smartphone race in India is hotter than ever, with multiple brands fighting to pack flagship-like features at a mid-range price. The POCO M6 Plus 5G, launched in August 2024, takes a bold step with a 108MP camera, a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE chipset, a 120Hz display, and a massive 5030mAh battery — all while keeping the price below ₹15,000.
But does the phone really live up to the hype? Is it worth buying in 2025, considering its competition from Realme, Samsung, Motorola, and Redmi? In this detailed review, we break down everything: design, build, display, performance, camera, battery, software, pricing, pros & cons, and most importantly, the final verdict on whether it’s the right choice for you.
Design and Build Quality
The POCO M6 Plus 5G manages to bring a premium look and feel without crossing into higher price territory. The phone features a glass back with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection on the front. The plastic frame is a trade-off for affordability, but the IP53 rating offers some protection against dust and splashes.
At 8.3 mm thickness and 205 grams weight, the phone feels slightly heavy but solid. The design is highlighted by its large rectangular camera module with a 108MP sensor, and POCO branding across the back.
Available in Graphite Black, Misty Lavender, and Ice Silver, the phone stands out in its segment for its stylish appeal. However, the glass back is prone to smudges and can be slippery, so using a protective case is highly recommended.
Overall, the POCO M6 Plus 5G offers a durable yet premium design, striking a good balance between looks and practicality for a budget 5G device.
Display
The display is one of the biggest highlights of the POCO M6 Plus 5G. It sports a 6.79-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, making scrolling and gaming buttery smooth.
While it’s not an AMOLED panel, the display offers vibrant colors and decent brightness levels (up to 550 nits), which is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor use. The addition of TÜV Rheinland certifications (low blue light, flicker-free, and circadian-friendly) makes it comfortable for long hours of reading or content consumption.
Watching YouTube, OTT, or playing games feels immersive thanks to the big size, though some users may find it too large for one-handed use. The lack of OLED-level contrast is a small drawback, but given the price point, the screen delivers excellent value.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the POCO M6 Plus 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE chipset built on the 4nm process, which makes it efficient and capable for day-to-day usage. It features Cortex-A78 performance cores and an Adreno 613 GPU, handling multitasking and casual gaming with ease.
Storage and RAM options include:
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage (expandable with virtual RAM up to 16GB)
Apps open quickly, switching between them feels smooth, and even mid-level games like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run decently at medium graphics settings. Heavy gaming at high settings might push the hardware, but for its category, performance is reliable.
Connectivity options are solid with 5G support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for quick unlock.
Camera Performance
The POCO M6 Plus 5G brings a dual rear camera setup with the highlight being a 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 sensor paired with a 2MP macro lens.
- Daylight Photography: The main sensor produces crisp, detailed, and vibrant shots. POCO’s 3X in-sensor zoom works well for distant subjects, maintaining usable clarity.
- Low-Light Performance: Night shots are decent, but not class-leading. Noise creeps in under very low light, though the Night Mode improves results slightly.
- Front Camera: The 13MP selfie shooter delivers clear and natural-looking selfies in daylight but softens in low light.
- Video: Supports up to 1080p @ 30fps. There’s no 4K or OIS, so videos can appear shaky without stabilization.
For the price, the 108MP sensor is a big win, especially for daylight photography. Casual users and social media enthusiasts will find the camera more than capable.
Battery Life and Charging
The phone packs a 5030mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of heavy use or 1.5 days with moderate use. Thanks to the efficient 4nm Snapdragon chip and adaptive refresh rate, the phone manages power consumption very well.
Charging is handled by 33W fast charging, with the adapter included in the box — a welcome feature in 2025 when many brands skip chargers. It takes roughly 1 hour to fully charge from 0-100%.
While 33W is good at this price, rivals now offer 45W to 67W, so if super-fast charging is a top priority, you might find this slower. Still, for most users, the battery and charging combo is more than sufficient.
Software and User Experience
The POCO M6 Plus 5G runs on Android 14 with HyperOS. The interface is clean, fast, and feature-rich. POCO promises two major Android updates and four years of security patches, which is a strong commitment in this segment.
HyperOS brings customization options, themes, smart battery features, and optimizations. However, like many Xiaomi/POCO devices, it comes with a bit of pre-installed bloatware, which can be uninstalled or disabled.
Day-to-day navigation feels smooth, and the 120Hz refresh rate enhances the fluidity of animations. Overall, the user experience is positive, especially if you’re familiar with Xiaomi’s ecosystem.
Price and Availability
The POCO M6 Plus 5G was launched in India at competitive prices:
- 6GB + 128GB: ₹12,999
- 8GB + 128GB: ₹14,499 (may vary depending on offers)
Available via Flipkart and POCO’s official website, it comes in Graphite Black, Ice Silver, and Misty Lavender color options. At this price, the phone competes with Realme Narzo 60x 5G, Samsung Galaxy M14 5G, and Motorola G64 5G, but the 108MP camera and 120Hz display give POCO a strong edge.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 108MP primary camera with 3X in-sensor zoom
- Smooth 120Hz large FHD+ display
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE (4nm, efficient and powerful for daily use)
- Strong 5030mAh battery with decent 33W fast charging
- Promised software updates (2 Android, 4 years security)
- IP53 rating for splash resistance
Cons:
- No AMOLED display (LCD only)
- Limited video features (no 4K, no OIS)
- Heavier at 205g, not ideal for one-handed use
- Pre-installed bloatware on HyperOS
- Macro camera adds little value
Final Verdict
The POCO M6 Plus 5G is a well-rounded budget 5G smartphone that ticks all the right boxes: smooth display, capable 108MP camera, strong battery life, and reliable performance — all under ₹15,000.
It’s not without compromises (no AMOLED, average night photography, limited video recording), but for its price, it delivers exceptional value. If your main focus is day-to-day performance, daylight photography, and long-lasting battery, the POCO M6 Plus 5G is one of the best options in its segment.
If you need faster charging, OLED display, or advanced video features, you might want to explore slightly higher-priced alternatives.
Disclaimer
All specifications and details are verified from the official POCO website and trusted sources at the time of writing. Actual performance, battery life, and camera quality may vary based on usage. Prices are subject to change with offers and availability. Readers are advised to check the latest details on the official POCO website or authorized retailers before purchase.