Poco F5 5G hands-on review

At first glance, this sleek black panel seems like every other black panel out there but a closer look will show you the carbon fibre style which is reminiscent fo the Poco F1 from back in the day. The handset itself feels lightweight and premium offered in a range of colourways – Carbon black, Snowstorm White and Electric Blue. 

The Poco F5 has definitely packed more power and features than its predecessor the F4. This new flagship is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, which promises to provide over 50% more CPU performance and 13% improved power efficiency over its predecessor, Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. It also comes with Adreno 642L GPU, which ensures smooth gaming and multitasking. 

The display is definitely what draws the most focus on this device. The 6.67in Full HD+ (2400 x 1080) AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 360Hz touch sampling rate is extremely smooth to use. The display boasts a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which ensures that the screen is visible even under direct sunlight. The screen comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and supports HDR10+ for improved color accuracy and contrast. The device also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is extremely convenient and accurate. 

On the cooling front, the handset packs in a 3725mm Vapor Chamber coupled with 14 Layers of Graphite sheets and diversion groove which improves the heat dissipation capacity which should help in the gaming and multitasking of everyday use.

Enough of the facts, let’s get down to the experience. In the few hours we have spent with the device, performance has not been a let down. The Poco F5 seems quite capable. With the latest Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, the device does decently with heavy gaming and multitasking with ease. We put it to the test with Asphalt 9 and the device was both responsive and smooth with the graphics. While, it is not an outright gaming handset, it faired pretty well when it comes to performance. 

What stood out on this device, compared to the average smartphone was the crisp and powerful audio quality from the Dolby Atmos stereo speakers located at the top and bottom of the device. This gave a nice surround sound feel to gaming and made the gaming experience a lot more enjoyable and immersive.

It also comes with 5G connectivity which has become a standard requirement for smartphones these days. The device also has a massive 5065mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging, which can charge the device from 0 to 100% in just 42 minutes.

The Poco F5 has a triple-camera setup with a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor. So far, the camera has produced good images in daylight and low light conditions. The device also has a 16MP front-facing camera, which captures decent selfies. We still have to compare these shots with other smartphones in this range so make sure to check back on the full review and proper camera performance.

With Poco F5 you get what you ask for. It is a good mid-range smartphone that offers excellent value for money. With its powerful chipset, 5G connectivity, 120Hz display, and camera performance, the device is a great choice for those looking for a reliable phone for everyday use. 

While, we haven’t had the luxury of time to get into the nitty-gritty of testing the battery, performance and camera as yet, you are definitely getting a quality user experience for a reasonable sum of money. Overall, if you're looking for a high-performance smartphone at an affordable price point, the Poco F5 is definitely worth considering. Be sure to check back for the full review.