Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G

Having spent the last few weeks thoroughly testing the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G, I've developed a pretty clear picture of what this phone brings to the table. At its launch price point, it was squarely aimed at the budget-conscious consumer looking for a solid all-around performer. After putting it through its paces, from daily tasks to media consumption and a bit of photography, I have some definite thoughts on whether it hits the mark.

The Poco X4 Pro 5G arrived at a time when the mid-range smartphone market was getting increasingly competitive. Xiaomi, with its Poco sub-brand, has consistently aimed to deliver compelling specs without breaking the bank. This phone felt like a continuation of that strategy, focusing on key areas like display and battery life to stand out. The price point, while subject to change over time, positioned it as a strong contender against other value-focused brands. My personal take is that Xiaomi was trying to capture users who prioritize a smooth visual experience and longevity on a single charge, perhaps at the slight expense of cutting-edge processing power or camera capabilities.

Picking up the Poco X4 Pro 5G, the first thing you notice is its presence. It's not a small phone, with dimensions of 164.2mm tall and 76.1mm wide, and at 8.1mm thick, it has a substantial feel in the hand. The 205g weight adds to this feeling of solidity. The materials don't scream premium, but the build feels robust, and I didn't get the impression it would fall apart easily. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, and in my experience, it's been consistently fast and reliable for unlocking. My test unit was the Laser Black variant, which looks quite sleek initially, but as noted in other observations, it's definitely a fingerprint magnet. While I can't speak to long-term durability without extended use, the initial impression is that it's a well-built phone for its price category.

The 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display is undoubtedly one of the highlights of this phone. Firing it up, the colors are vibrant and punchy, typical of a good AMOLED panel. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling through feeds and navigating the interface feels noticeably smooth. I spent a good amount of time watching videos and movies on it, and the viewing experience was impressive, with good contrast and deep blacks. The brightness levels are adequate for most situations, and I found it remained quite usable even under bright sunlight, which is crucial for everyday practicality. Gaming also benefits from the smooth refresh rate, making for a more immersive experience. The punch-hole cutout for the 16MP front camera is relatively unobtrusive, and the near edge-to-edge design maximizes the screen real estate.

Under the hood, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset. In my testing, this processor handled everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming without any hiccups. For casual gaming, it performed adequately, although pushing it with graphically intensive titles might reveal its limitations. During longer gaming sessions, I did observe some warmth on the back of the device, but it never became alarmingly hot. My unit had 6GB of RAM, which seemed sufficient for multitasking, allowing me to switch between apps without noticeable slowdowns. While it's not a flagship-level performer, the Snapdragon 695 provides a good balance of power and efficiency for the intended user.

The camera system on the Poco X4 Pro 5G is a bit of a mixed bag, as is often the case in this price range. The headline feature is the 108MP main sensor, and in good lighting conditions, it can indeed capture some impressive shots with plenty of detail and vibrant colors. I took it out for some photos around my neighborhood, and landscapes and well-lit portraits looked quite good. However, the performance drops off in low light. Images tend to become softer, and noise becomes more apparent, especially when zooming in. The 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lenses are present but feel more like additions rather than core components of the camera experience. The ultrawide is decent for capturing wider scenes, but the image quality isn't on par with the main sensor. The macro lens, with its fixed focus, requires patience and ideal lighting to get usable results. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps, which is adequate for casual use but lacks the flexibility and quality of higher resolutions and frame rates found in more expensive devices. The 16MP front-facing camera does a respectable job for selfies and video calls, providing good clarity in decent lighting.

Battery life is another strong suit of the Poco X4 Pro 5G. The 5000mAh battery consistently got me through a full day of moderate to heavy use, including browsing, social media, streaming, and some photography. Even on days with more intensive usage, I rarely felt the need to constantly monitor the battery level. When it does come time to charge, the 67W fast charging is a game-changer. In my tests, it lived up to the claims, rapidly replenishing the battery from empty to a significant percentage in a short amount of time. The inclusion of a USB Type-C port is a welcome standard, ensuring compatibility with most modern charging cables.

On the software front, the Poco X4 Pro 5G launched with Android 11, overlaid with Xiaomi's MIUI. While not the latest version of Android at the time, MIUI offers a range of features and customization options. My daily experience with the software was generally smooth, although it does come with a fair amount of pre-installed apps. Navigating the interface is generally intuitive, and the features provided are useful. However, it's worth noting that software update policies can vary, and potential buyers should consider the long-term update prospects.

Looking at the overall value proposition, the Poco X4 Pro 5G makes a compelling case for itself. You get a fantastic display, solid battery life with fast charging, and competent everyday performance for a reasonable price. This phone is ideally suited for users who prioritize media consumption and need a reliable device that can last through the day without needing constant charging. However, those who prioritize top-tier camera performance or the absolute latest processor might want to look elsewhere. In the competitive landscape, it stood out against rivals by offering a superior display and faster charging in its price bracket.

In conclusion, the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone that delivers on its core promises. While the camera system has its limitations, the excellent display, impressive battery life, and fast charging make it a strong contender in its category. If you're looking for a phone that offers a great viewing experience and won't constantly have you reaching for the charger without breaking the bank, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is definitely worth considering.