The POCO C75: A Big Screen on a Budget, But What’s the Catch?
Let’s get this out of the way first: the POCO C75 isn’t here to blow your mind. It’s here to get the job done without making your wallet cry. After dissecting its specs and thinking about how they translate to real life, here’s the unfiltered take.
The Good Stuff: Where This Phone Shines
That 120Hz Screen (Yes, Really): A 6.88” LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate at this price? That’s like finding a decent espresso machine at a thrift store. Scrolling through TikTok or swiping between apps feels surprisingly smooth for a sub-€100 phone. But here’s the catch: it’s only 720p. Text isn’t razor-sharp, and colors look a bit washed out next to pricier phones. Still, for YouTube binges or casual gaming? It’s solid.
Battery Life That Won’t Quit: The 5160mAh battery paired with the power-sipping Helio G81 chip means this thing lasts. I’m talking two days of light use – texting, Spotify, maybe some Instagram. Even with the 120Hz screen cranked up, you’ll get through a full day without panic-searching for a charger.
HyperOS: Cleaner Than Expected: Xiaomi’s HyperOS (Android 14) here is surprisingly bloatware-lite compared to older MIUI versions. It’s snappy for basic tasks, and the “84% usable screen” claim? Accurate. That teardrop notch is tiny enough to ignore after a day.
The Tradeoffs: Where POCO Cut Corners
Performance: “Good Enough” Has Limits: The Helio G81 is a budget warrior from 2020. Casual games like Among Us or Candy Crush? Smooth. Genshin Impact on low settings? Choppy, with frame drops. Multitasking is fine with 6GB RAM, but don’t expect buttery app switches if you’ve got 10 Chrome tabs open. It’s like a reliable hatchback – gets you there, but don’t expect turbo speeds.
The Camera That’s Just… There: The 50MP main shooter sounds impressive until you realize it’s using a tiny 1/2.76” sensor. Daylight shots are passable (if a bit oversharpened), but low-light photos turn into a grainy mess. The 0.8MP “depth sensor”? Utterly pointless – it’s basically a decorative lens. The 13MP selfie cam is serviceable for Zoom calls, though.
It’s a Chonky Boy: At 204g and nearly 18cm tall, this isn’t a one-handed phone. The plastic back picks up scratches easily, and that “2.5D curved glass” is more marketing fluff than actual ergonomic design. Slap a case on it, or risk it feeling like a slippery bar of soap.
Who Should Buy This Phone?
- Budget-Consistent Streamers: If you watch hours of YouTube/Netflix and want a big screen without breaking the bank.
- Secondary Phone Users: Perfect as a backup device or for older relatives who just need something reliable.
- Battery Life Addicts: People who hate charging their phone every night.
Who Should Skip It?
- Mobile Gamers: The Helio G81 and Mali-G52 GPU can’t handle demanding titles.
- Photography Nerds: The camera setup is strictly “for the ‘gram, not for art.”
- Pocket Dwellers: If you like compact phones, this ain’t it.
The Verdict: Would I Use It?
Honestly? If I were shopping for a €100 phone, yes – but with caveats. The screen’s smoothness and battery life win me over, and I can live with the camera’s limitations. But if I could stretch my budget to €150? I’d eye something like the Redmi Note 13 for better performance. The POCO C75 isn’t exciting, but it’s a pragmatic choice for anyone who wants a no-fuss daily driver. Just don’t expect it to be something it’s not.
Final thought: POCO’s playing the value game hard here. They’ve sacrificed camera quality and premium materials to deliver a big, smooth screen and marathon battery life. If that’s your priority, this phone’s a stealthy win.
