Big battery, budget compromises?

Starting at Rs. 10,999, Poco C85x 5G impresses on paper but delivers modest real-world performance

- Tasneem Kanchwala

Te budget 5G smartphone war in India just got a new contender. Poco, Xiaomi's value-focused sub-brand, has launched the C85x 5G, pricing it at a starting price of Rs. 10,999.

We've spent over a week with the Poco C85x 5G, putting it through its paces daily. Here's our comprehensive verdict.

Design

First impressions count, and the Poco C85x doesn't disappoint. The phone sports what Poco calls a "Zen-Z" design, and the Emerald Green colour unit we reviewed carries a premium matte-finish look that punches above its price. The large ‘POCO’ branding on the polycarbonate back adds character, while the dual camera module in a bold oval island looks striking. The build quality feels solid, a big win at this price point. It comes with an IP52 rating for basic splash and dust resistance. At 8.15mm thin and 210g, the phone is on the heavier side, but the weight is evenly distributed and comfortable to hold. One-handed use, however, is a stretch due to the 6.9-inch footprint.

Port placement is practical. The bottom houses the USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, and speaker grille.

Display