When it comes to buying a budget smartphone, most people compromise between features, performance, and price. But with the launch of the Poco M6 5G in India, the equation seems to have changed completely. Designed to offer powerful performance, a DSLR-like 50MP camera, and reliable 5G connectivity, the Poco M6 5G is one of the most practical options in the under ₹10,000 segment. It focuses on what really matters to users—camera, battery, and smooth daily performance—without feeling cheap or outdated. For students, first-time buyers, or casual smartphone users, this device brings an ideal balance of affordability and quality.
In terms of design, the Poco M6 5G looks and feels much more premium than its price tag suggests. Even though the body is made of plastic, the matte finish on the back panel provides a comfortable grip and prevents fingerprint smudges. The device weighs around 195 grams, which feels well-balanced in hand and allows one-handed use without strain. The overall design is clean, minimal, and modern, giving the phone an appeal that stands out from other budget options in the market.
Moving on to the display, the Poco M6 5G features a 6.74-inch HD+ IPS LCD panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. While the resolution is capped at HD+ instead of Full HD, the display manages to deliver natural colors, decent brightness up to 600 nits, and good viewing angles. This makes it perfectly suitable for everyday usage such as social media browsing, casual video streaming, and reading. The high refresh rate adds an extra layer of smoothness to scrolling and transitions, making the experience feel much better than what most budget phones offer.
Performance is one of the highlights of this device. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor, the Poco M6 5G ensures that day-to-day tasks such as WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and light multitasking run without lag. Apps open quickly, switching between multiple windows feels smooth, and the overall experience remains stable. Running on Android 13 with MIUI 14, the software interface is polished and user-friendly, although some pre-installed bloatware apps might need to be uninstalled for a cleaner experience. For its price, the phone delivers performance that feels dependable and future-proof with 5G support.
The biggest talking point of the Poco M6 5G is its camera setup. The phone packs a 50MP main rear sensor that captures sharp, detailed, and vibrant photos in daylight. Portrait shots come with natural background blur, and the colors remain true to life. Night photography is decent with the help of Night Mode, although some noise does appear in low-light conditions. On the front, there is a 5MP selfie camera which may not sound impressive but does a good job for video calls and casual selfies. Video recording is supported up to 1080p at 30fps, which is fine for everyday use, though it lacks advanced stabilization features.
Battery life is another major strength of this device. With a 5,000mAh battery, the Poco M6 5G easily lasts a full day of heavy usage and can stretch up to one and a half days with lighter usage. This makes it a reliable partner for students and working professionals who don’t want to charge their phone multiple times a day. The device supports 18W fast charging, though the box only includes a 10W charger, which means charging can take around two hours. However, with a separate 18W adapter, charging speeds improve noticeably, reducing the time to about 90 minutes.
Connectivity and extra features make the Poco M6 5G even more appealing. It offers dual SIM support with 5G connectivity, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security, a USB Type-C charging port, and even a 3.5mm headphone jack that many users still prefer. Additionally, storage can be expanded up to 1TB using a microSD card, which ensures enough space for apps, media, and files.
Of course, there are a few compromises. The phone only has an HD+ display rather than a sharper Full HD panel, low-light photography could be better, and the charging speed with the included adapter is relatively slow. However, when you consider its price point, these drawbacks are minor compared to the overall value it delivers.
In conclusion, the Poco M6 5G proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the benefits of 5G connectivity, reliable performance, and a strong camera setup. With its 50MP DSLR-like rear camera, massive battery, and capable chipset, it emerges as one of the best budget smartphones in India right now. For under ₹10,000, it offers features that are usually expected from higher-priced models, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable yet powerful device.