Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G

Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Review: The Sensible Choice in a Noisy Market

I've spent the better part of the last three weeks living with the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G, and it’s been an illuminating experience. In a market saturated with mid-range contenders vying for attention with flashy features and often inflated price tags, the Poco M4 Pro 5G carves out a space for itself as the pragmatic option. Priced squarely in the budget-friendly territory, it aims to deliver core smartphone essentials without unnecessary frills. My testing involved a typical daily routine – social media scrolling, streaming videos, snapping photos in various conditions, and even a few casual gaming sessions. My initial impressions are of a phone that understands its target audience and delivers on its promises, though not without a few expected compromises.

Market Context: Finding Its Niche

Xiaomi's Poco sub-brand has always been about offering impressive specs at aggressive prices. The M4 Pro 5G is a continuation of this strategy, sitting comfortably within their lineup as a strong contender in the affordable 5G segment. Right now, the pressure is on for manufacturers to provide access to 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, and the Poco M4 Pro 5G addresses this head-on. From my perspective, Xiaomi is playing a smart game here. They're not trying to reinvent the wheel; they're focusing on providing reliable performance and essential features that matter to the average user. The price point feels justified for what you're getting, making it a compelling option for students, budget-conscious consumers, or anyone simply seeking a dependable phone without the premium price tag.

Design & Hardware: Functional and Familiar

Picking up the Poco M4 Pro 5G, the first thing I noticed is its substantial presence. The 6.6-inch display makes it a sizeable device, which might not be ideal for those with smaller hands, but it lends itself well to media consumption. At 195 grams, it has a reassuring heft without feeling overly bulky. The construction feels solid, and while the materials are predominantly plastic, it doesn't feel cheap. In my day-to-day use, it felt durable enough to withstand the usual bumps and knocks. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner, integrated into the power button, is conveniently placed and remarkably responsive – a feature I always appreciate for its speed and reliability. While the design isn't going to win any awards for groundbreaking aesthetics, it's functional and well-put-together for its price range.

Display: Smooth Scrolling, Decent Viewing

The 6.6-inch IPS LCD display is a key component of the user experience, and it performs admirably for its class. While it lacks the vibrant pop of an AMOLED panel, I found the colours to be generally accurate and pleasing to the eye. The brightness is adequate for most indoor and even outdoor scenarios, though direct sunlight can sometimes pose a challenge. What truly elevates the display experience is the 90Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through social media feeds and navigating menus felt noticeably smoother than on standard 60Hz displays, making for a more fluid and enjoyable experience. For media consumption, the 20:9 aspect ratio is well-suited for watching videos, and I found myself enjoying streaming content on this device. While it might not be the most colour-accurate display for professional photo editing, for everyday use and casual gaming, it gets the job done effectively.

Performance: Reliable Daily Driver

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset is the engine driving the Poco M4 Pro 5G, and in my testing, it proved to be a capable performer for its intended purpose. Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, email, and video playback were handled with ease. I didn't encounter any noticeable lag or stuttering during these activities. Even when pushing it with some moderate gaming – titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile ran smoothly on medium settings – the phone held its own. My unit came with 6GB of RAM, which proved sufficient for multitasking, allowing me to switch between apps without significant delays. Temperature management was also commendable; the phone didn't get excessively hot even during extended gaming sessions. While it won't compete with flagship devices in terms of raw power, the Poco M4 Pro 5G offers a surprisingly smooth and responsive experience for its price point, making it a reliable daily driver.

Camera System: Versatile Enough for Everyday Snaps

The camera system on the Poco M4 Pro 5G is a mixed bag, but ultimately delivers decent results for its price. The 50MP main sensor performs admirably in good lighting conditions, capturing images with good detail and accurate colours. I took some pleasing shots on a recent hike, and I was generally satisfied with the clarity and sharpness. However, the 8MP ultrawide lens is where the compromises become more apparent. While it's useful for capturing wider scenes, the image quality noticeably drops, with softer details and less dynamic range. My attempt at capturing a sunset resulted in a somewhat muddy image lacking the vibrancy of the actual scene. The 16MP front-facing camera is acceptable for selfies and video calls, producing decent results in good lighting, though it can struggle in low-light conditions. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, which is adequate for casual use, and I did find the digital stabilization to be effective in reducing shakiness. Overall, the camera system is versatile enough for everyday snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance, particularly from the ultrawide lens.

Battery & Charging: Endurance for the Long Haul

Battery life is a strong suit of the Poco M4 Pro 5G. The 5000mAh battery consistently got me through a full day of moderate to heavy use, including social media, email, some video streaming, and light gaming. I even managed to stretch it into a second day with lighter usage. This impressive endurance is a significant advantage for users who are frequently on the go. The inclusion of 33W fast charging is another welcome addition. In my testing, I was able to charge the phone from near empty to around 50% in about 30 minutes, and a full charge took just under an hour, which is commendable for a phone in this price range. The efficient power management and fast charging capabilities ensure that battery anxiety is rarely a concern with the Poco M4 Pro 5G.

Software: Familiar MIUI Experience

The Poco M4 Pro 5G runs on Xiaomi's MIUI, based on Android, and while the initial unit I tested was on Android 11, an upgrade to Android 12 is readily available. MIUI is a heavily customized Android skin, and your preference for it will likely depend on your previous experience with Xiaomi devices. I found the interface to be generally smooth and responsive, with a plethora of customization options. However, it's also known for its pre-installed bloatware, which some users might find annoying, although most of these apps can be uninstalled. The feature set is comprehensive, offering various tools and utilities, some of which are genuinely useful. Xiaomi's track record with software updates for its budget devices can be somewhat inconsistent, so while an upgrade to Android 12 is available, future major updates are less certain.

Value Analysis: Where Sensibility Meets Affordability

The value proposition of the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G is undeniably strong. For its price, you're getting a phone with a smooth 90Hz display, reliable performance for everyday tasks, impressive battery life with fast charging, and 5G connectivity. In my opinion, this phone is a fantastic option for students, young professionals, or anyone looking for a dependable smartphone without breaking the bank. If your priorities are raw processing power for high-end gaming or a top-tier camera system, you might need to look elsewhere and spend significantly more. However, for the vast majority of users who prioritize everyday usability, smooth performance, and long battery life, the Poco M4 Pro 5G hits the sweet spot. Compared to competitors in the same price range, it holds its own remarkably well, offering a balanced package that doesn't skimp on the essentials.

Conclusion: A Smart and Sensible Choice

After thoroughly testing the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G, I can confidently say it’s a smart and sensible choice in the crowded budget smartphone market. It doesn't try to be something it's not, focusing instead on delivering a solid and reliable user experience for everyday tasks. While the camera system has its limitations, and the software experience might not appeal to everyone, the strengths in display smoothness, performance, and especially battery life, make it a compelling option. If you're looking for an affordable 5G smartphone that gets the job done without unnecessary bells and whistles, the Poco M4 Pro 5G deserves serious consideration. It's a phone I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to someone seeking excellent value for their money.