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The Poco F5 5G: A Power Monster at an Attractive Price
The Poco F5 5G is positioned as a true powerhouse, especially considering its very competitive price. This smartphone, in fact, not only offers top-notch performance, but also boasts a neat design, although aesthetic appreciation remains a matter of personal taste. However, the Poco F5 5G is undeniably a well-finished smartphone, with a camera module that remains discreet and notable efforts on the part of Poco on the overall aesthetics.
- The POCO F5 is available in 8GB and 12GB RAM versions, but can also be expanded to 19GB* using unused ROM to unlock even faster speeds.
Design and Ergonomics of the Poco F5 5G: Light and Pleasant in the Hand
Let's talk about the design of the Poco F5 5G . It's particularly light, weighing just 180 grams, and is remarkably thin at 7.9 mm. This thinness therefore contributes to an excellent grip. In addition, Poco had the good idea of integrating a jack just above the device. There is also an infrared port, or infrared transmitter, which allows the Poco F5 5G as a remote control, which is very practical in everyday life.
However, the first "flaw" is not so much the aesthetics per se, but rather the black color. In fact, the black version of this smartphone is a real magnet for dust and fingerprints, even surpassing competitors in this regard. Therefore, if you are considering purchasing the Poco F5 5G , it is strongly recommended to avoid the black version and instead opt for white or blue, colors that are, moreover, often considered more aesthetic.
The Poco F5 5G Display: An Immersive Visual Experience
Having addressed the color issue, let's focus on the Poco F5 5G display, which is a major asset of this smartphone. It's a 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility. Finding a fault with this display is, therefore, a real challenge. The colors are magnificent, the blacks are infinite (thanks to OLED technology), and the user experience is extremely pleasant, especially with the adaptive 120Hz.
Likewise, the maximum brightness of the screen reaches 1200 nits, which is more than enough for outdoor use, without any weakness felt even in direct sunlight.
As for security, the Poco F5 5G has facial recognition that works effectively. As for the fingerprint sensor, it is integrated into the power button. While it is extremely fast and instantaneous, some users would have preferred an under-screen sensor for a more "prestigious" look given the Poco F5 5G . It's a detail, but it's worth mentioning.
Poco F5 5G Performance and Software: Unparalleled Fluidity
The Poco F5 5G is powered by Android 13, with the MIUI 14 overlay. While MIUI may contain a few pre-installed apps, it still offers plenty of customization options (wallpapers, Always-On Display, etc.). What is certain is that fluidity is there on the Poco F5 5G , whether for gaming, social media, or multitasking. It's a real racing beast, without any slowdowns or latency.
It comes in two versions: one with 8GB of RAM, and another with 12GB of RAM, for a non-expandable storage of 256GB. It is possible to insert two nano SIM cards, but not a microSD card. This raises the question of the sufficiency of storage for each user, but for most, 256GB should be more than enough.
Where the Poco F5 5G really stands out is in its processor: the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. This SoC is simply a powerhouse for the price, achieving an Antutu score of around 898,000 points. This is extraordinary. Therefore, for gaming, this smartphone has no difficulty running all 3D games at maximum capacity. In addition, the 120 Hz OLED display reinforces this gaming experience. Clearly, the Poco F5 5G is designed for gamers and young users who enjoy demanding games. It integrates a liquid cooling system which, while not miraculous, allows the smartphone not to suffer from extreme drops in performance under load.
Poco F5 5G 's stereo sound is powerful and enjoyable, whether you're gaming or watching videos. However, using the headphone jack is recommended for even better sound quality.
Poco F5 5G Photographic Capabilities: Surprising Results
The Poco F5 5G is equipped with three cameras: a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. The latter, admittedly, has rather limited usefulness for most users.
When it comes to daytime photos, this smartphone does quite well. It does have a tendency to slightly saturate colors, which can make the shots look better, and it allows you to take photos quickly with a good level of detail. However, when it comes to managing contrasts, blacks, and shadows, the Poco F5 5G tends to make them a little too dark. Portrait mode works very well, offering excellent background blur.
As for night shots, it pleasantly surprised me. Even without taking the time to stabilize the camera for a long time, the photos are quite successful. The Poco F5 5G lights the scene very well, and the rendering of the buildings is excellent. The shots of people are a little less good, but remain quite usable.
The Poco F5 5G is less convincing. Photos are sometimes a bit bland, too bright, or even too white. However, they remain detailed and handle highlights very well, even when the background is very bright. In low light, however, selfies are not the Poco F5 .
For video, the Poco offers stabilized 4K recording at 30 frames per second. While the stabilization is good and the autofocus effective, it's unfortunate that it's limited to 1080p at 30 or 60 frames per second for other uses. You can't expect high-end video performance at this price point, either.
Poco F5 5G Battery Life: Long-Lasting and Ultra-Fast Charging
The Poco F5 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which is excellent, especially considering its weight and thinness. Additionally, Poco includes a 67-watt charger in the box, allowing for ultra-fast charging.
In terms of battery life, the Poco F5 5G doesn't disappoint. Normal use can easily last up to two days. Even with intensive use, a full day is more than achievable. If, despite everything, the battery life isn't enough, ultra-fast charging allows this phone to be recharged from 0 to 100% in just 47 to 50 minutes. This is a considerable advantage and a very positive point for the Poco F5 .
Poco F5 5G Review: Strengths and Weaknesses
Positive Reviews
- ✔Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor, ideal for games and demanding applications
- ✔Very competitive price given its performance
- ✔OLED FHD+ 6.67″ 120 Hz HDR10+: beautiful colors, deep blacks
- ✔180g and 7.9mm thick, very comfortable to hold
- ✔5000 mAh battery + 67W fast charger included
- ✔Practical additions to improve the user experience
- ✔Good sound quality for games and videos
- ✔Main sensor effective in daylight, high-performance portrait mode
- ✔Positively surprises in low light, usable photos
Negative Reviews
- ✖The black color of the Poco F5 5G attracts dust and fingerprints excessively. It is recommended to choose other colors.
- ✖Although fast, its location is not "under the screen", which may be perceived as less "premium" by some users.
- ✖The lack of a microSD port may be a drawback for those who need a lot of extra storage.
- ✖The relevance of this sensor is questionable.
- ✖The Poco F5 5G tends to make dark areas a little too black.
- ✖The front camera's performance is less convincing in low light conditions.
- ✖Although stabilized 4K 30fps is present, the limitation to 1080p 30/60fps for some uses can be a downside.
Detailed Conclusion on the Poco F5 5G
📌 Conclusion of the Poco F5 5G
✅ An exceptional choice for gamers and content consumers
The Poco F5 5G stands out as a smartphone of choice, especially for video game enthusiasts and those who consume a lot of multimedia content. Its raw power is considerable , surpassing many competitors in its price range. Whether for intense gaming sessions or watching videos for long hours, the Poco F5 5G truly excels.
⚖️ Balance and compromise
However, if you're looking for a perfectly balanced smartphone with top-notch photography performance, the Poco F5 5G might have some limitations. While it's "good" at photography, it has some flaws that may be a deal-breaker for image purists. Still, for a price of €429 (8GB version) or €479 (12GB version), getting a smartphone with such solid battery life, such power, and decent camera capabilities is a notable achievement for Poco.
📈 A clear improvement over its predecessor
Compared to its predecessor, the F4 5G, the Poco F5 5G demonstrates significant improvements , thus justifying a slight price increase, which is a general trend in the market. For me, the Poco F5 5G is a real success and it is very likely that you will not be disappointed by this smartphone. It perfectly meets the expectations of users looking for maximum power at an affordable price .
🤔 Your choice?
Now it's up to you to decide whether this Poco F5 5G, with its prioritized power and slightly lower camera capabilities, meets your needs, or whether you'd prefer a more balanced, but potentially less capable, smartphone. What's your main criterion when buying a new smartphone?
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