POCO C65: The POCO brand is well-known among smartphone users as a daily driver. The brand has synonymously became the pioneer of daily drivers. It is creating its own impact in the smartphone market with its products that are affordable to consumers around the world. The company has been successful in providing high-end features at a price point that is affordable, which has resulted in the company becoming a popular choice among customers. Powerful processors, bigger displays and extended battery life of POCO’s smartphones have earned them a reputation for excellence.
For instance, the POCO F5 5G comes equipped with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 CPU, which not only provides jaw-dropping performance. In addition, the phone features a Full HD+ display of 16.94 centimeters (6.67 inches), a triple camera with a resolution of 64 megapixels and optical image stabilization, and a 5000 mAh battery that can charge up to fifty percent in just twelve minutes. Thanks to these and other improvements, POCO smartphones have become the finest option for everyday use.
POCO C65: The New Budget Champ
POCO C-Series smartphones are a line of budget-friendly devices from POCO. They offer high performance and features at an affordable price. They are designed to offer a reliable and quality device without breaking the bank. POCO C65 is the latest budget smartphone from the Chinese brand. It is aimed at offering a great value for money to consumers. The phone is a successor to the POCO C55. POCO C65 builds on the success of the C55 by adding some improvements and new additions. Above all, C65 looked like a good daily driver with its amazing features and affordable price point. Let’s go through a quick unboxing, initial impression and then followed by an in-depth review about the new budget champ.
POCO C65 comes in this signature POCO yellow accent box. When you open the package and take off the lid, the POCO C65, safely wrapped in plastic, is the first item that you’ll see. The sleek design and vibrant display promise a visual treat that is ready to be unwrapped. After the first enthusiasm, attention moves to the smaller packaging box under the phone. The packing has got a well furnished user-manuals meticulously arranged, offer insights into the features and functionalities of the device. After all that, a sturdy steel sim ejector tool is included, ensuring that users can easily install their SIM cards without the risk of misplacing or damaging the tool.
After that, I witnessed the charging brick which is of 10W capacity. Although C65 supports 18W fast charging, the box has only got 10 W adapter. Moving on, you can see the USB Type-C connector cable. Here’s a lit of everything that inside in the box.
- POCO C65 Smartphone.
- Small Packaging Box with user-manual.
- Sim Ejector tool.
- 10W Charging brick.
- USB C Connector.
POCO C65 Review: Display
The POCO C65 boasts an immersive visual experience with its impressive IPS LCD display. The 90Hz refresh rate elevates the viewing experience, ensuring smooth transitions and fluid animations. At 450 nits (typical brightness) and a peak brightness of 600 nits (HBM), the display is vibrant and easily readable even under bright sunlight. A big 6.74-inch screen, making up about 83.7% of the front panel, offers plenty of room for an immersive multimedia and gaming experience. The 720 x 1600 pixel resolution, presented in a 20:9 aspect ratio, may seem modest on paper, but in practice, it delivers sharp and detailed visuals. With a pixel density of approximately 260 ppi, the display strikes a balance between clarity and efficiency, making it suitable for daily use. The display is protected from scratches and minor impacts by the additional layer of Corning Gorilla Glass protection.
The only drawback here is the usage of IPS LCD display. While offering good color reproduction and viewing angles, it may not provide the same deep blacks and contrast ratios as AMOLED displays. However, considering its price point, its negligible.
“Overall, display is one of the main highlights of this smartphone. You can put your money on it if you are looking for a smartphone with good display”.
POCO C65 Review: Design
The POCO C65 introduces a distinctive design language that sets it apart in the crowded smartphone market. The large camera deco, placed strategically on the rear, not only houses advanced imaging technology but also serves as a visual focal point. This design element contributes to the phone’s identity, making it instantly recognizable among its predecessor smartphones in C-series. Additional enhancements to the device’s overall appearance are brought about by the creative and streamlined design. The streamlined curves and proportions are well-balanced and can give you an ergonomic feel. It ensures that the grip is comfortable even when used for lengthy periods of time. Users are provided with a device that not only functions but also makes a statement because to POCO’s remarkable ability to successfully combine functionality and aesthetics.
The POCO C65 stands at a sleek 168mm. The well-thought-out height ensures a balance between a sizable display and practical portability. With a width of 78mm, the device provides enough surface area for an expansive display while maintaining a manageable width for one-handed usage. It boasts a slim profile with a thickness of 8.09mm and weight around 192g. It enhances the phone’s overall aesthetic appeal. The device effortlessly slips into pockets or bags, making it an ideal companion for everyday usage.
When it comes to color options, C65 is available in 3 colors- Black, Blue, and Purple. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of Black, the cool vibes of Blue, or the bold statement of Purple, the POCO C65 caters to a spectrum of tastes. These colors allowing users to choose a variant that resonates with their style preferences.
“Overall, POCO C65 delivers an impressive design experience for its worth”.
POCO C65 Review: Performance
The POCO C65 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset. It is built using a 12nm manufacturing technology. This processor features an octa-core setup, with Arm Cortex-A75 cores running at a frequency of 2.0GHz and Arm Cortex-A55 cores running at a frequency of 1.8GHz. The Arm Mali-G52 MC2 GPU complements the CPU’s power, resulting in a comprehensive performance that covers both processing and graphical workloads. These processing duo ensures seamless multitasking and responsive application handling. Whether you’re navigating through multiple apps, gaming, or engaging in resource-intensive tasks, they maintain a level of fluidity that enhances the overall user experience.
Above all, the smartphone also offers two configurations – 6GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB, both featuring LPDDR4X RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. I got the 8Gb version. With the 8GB RAM under its hood, combined with Helio G85, this phone can optimally run every task you threw at it. In addition to the processing power, the POCO C65 also supports expandable storage up to a whopping 1TB. It came handy to bring my whole media library, large app collection, photos and videos without worrying.
Finally, the MediaTek Helio G85 CPU and efficient RAM combinations of the POCO C65 provide a solid foundation for a productive and appealing smartphone experience. The POCO C65 is an excellent mid-range smartphone option for anyone looking for a device that can handle multitasking, mobile gaming, or just their everyday needs. The only disadvantage here is the Arm Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. It may not deliver the same level of graphical performance. I experience some limitations especially while playing games at max settings.
“Overall, the phone is a total powerhouse”
POCO C65 Review: Camera
The POCO C65’s camera setup, featuring a dual rear configuration, excels in capturing daylight scenes with vivid clarity. With its 50 MP wide lens, you can capture a broad panorama, and even in bright light, the details come out clearly. The camera is perfect for those who love photography during the day, but especially in the mornings when the light is soft and the details are crisp. The inclusion of a 2 MP macro lens adds versatility to the camera system. It allowed me to explore close-up shots with a decent level of detail. However, the 0.08 MP auxiliary lens doesn’t contribute significantly to the overall camera performance, and its impact is minimal.
Although the POCO C65 does superbly in brightly lighted areas, its performance drops significantly in darkness. Users expecting detailed, well-lit images may be disappointed with night photography in particular. Users who are keen in taking pictures at night could consider this a drawback. The camera gets excellent quality shots during the day, although the HDR feature might use some work. Underexposed shadows or overexposed highlights could be the outcome of poorly managed High Dynamic Range scenes. Also, compared to comparable devices, it fails to reproduce colors with the same level of vibrancy and precision.
The 8 MP front camera caters to selfie enthusiasts with features like Film Filter, HDR mode, Soft-light ring, Portrait mode, and Time-lapse. While the front camera performs adequately in well-lit conditions, it struggles to maintain the same level of detail and clarity in challenging lighting situations. Video recording capabilities at 1080P and 720P provide standard options for capturing moments.
Coming to video, The rear camera of the POCO C65 provides video recording options at both 1080P (1920×1080) and 720P (1280×720), both at 30fps. This standard set of video recording features caters to everyday video needs. However, users expecting advanced video features such as 4K recording or higher frame rates may find the options limited. A constant 30 frames per second is maintained by both the front and back cameras, guaranteeing fluid video playback. Users looking for more cinematic or fast-paced action video capture could find the lack of higher frame rate options restricting, while this frame rate is acceptable for most casual video recording applications.
Finally, POCO C65 is an effective camera system that can capture detailed, daytime scenes. This camera really comes into its own in brightly illuminated morning scenes and other well-lit settings. The low-light performance, nevertheless, might disappoint customers who are serious about taking photos at night. In the realm of video recording, the POCO C65 delivers a standard performance for everyday use.
“Overall, its a camera that’s there for you during daytime and might not be there for you during night”
POCO C65 Review: Audio
Even though other smartphone manufacturers are ditching the 3.5mm audio jack, POCO is carrying on the tradition with the C65. Reiterating POCO’s dedication to user-friendly design, the standard audio connector allows users to easily utilize their preferred wired headphones. When it comes to sound quality, the POCO C65 delivers crisp, clear sound with a strong focus on deep bass. The device can provide a loud and immersive audio experience, which makes it ideal for a wide range of multimedia activities, such as watching videos and listening to music.
The POCO C65 isn’t fancy like some of its rivals, which have powerful audio optimizers. For instance, having Dolby Atmos or Vision. Despite skipping over some further audio upgrades, it nevertheless provides a decent listening experience. Although it might not have the same level of sonic refinement as earlier POCO models like the F5, the sound quality of the C65 is respectable.
“Overall, the sound quality remains within the realm of satisfaction, meeting the needs”
POCO C65 Review: Operating System
The POCO C65 comes equipped with MIUI 14, Xiaomi’s proprietary user interface built on the Android 13 operating system. MIUI has gained popularity for its feature-rich environment and smooth user experience, drawing inspiration from Stock Android while adding its unique touch. Impressive multitasking capabilities and battery optimization are two of MIUI’s most notable features. In order to provide users with a responsive and fluid experience, the interface is designed to perform various tasks smoothly. You can go about your day without worrying about your device running out of power thanks to MIUI’s battery management skills, which contribute to prolonged usage.
MIUI has been criticized for pre-installed Xiaomi apps and ads, however latest versions have improved the user interface. Xiaomi is actively addressing user comments to improve the user experience. As ads and bloatware go, the UI becomes cleaner and more simplified. Xiaomi’s move to HYPER OS shows its commitment to improving its user interface. Users can expect greater performance, visual, and user-centric feature optimizations as MIUI becomes HYPER OS. However, it’s essential to note that the POCO C65 may or may not receive the HYPER OS update in the future.
“Overall, C65 brings a feature-packed, user-friendly interface, balancing multitasking capabilities and efficient battery management”
POCO C65 Review: Battery and Charging
POCO C65 runs on a powerful Li-Po 5000 mAh non-removable battery for all-day power. The device’s performance from a full charge at the start of the day to 42% by 7:00 PM shows the convenience of an all-day battery. This durability is impressive, serving customers who broadcast, game, or do daily duties. Power Delivery (PD) technology powers 18W wired charging on the POCO C65. Unfortunately, the box’s 10W power adaptor limits the device’s charging potential. For full 18W charging speed, use a separate 18W or above power adapter that supports PD charging.
While the charging times are deemed decent, with the device taking at least an couple of hours to reach a full charge, users should be prepared for a slightly longer wait compared to devices with faster charging capabilities. The charging speed, while not the fastest in the market, strikes a reasonable balance between efficiency and convenience.
Except charging time, battery is flawless and can go all day long.
Verdict:
POCO C65 excels in various areas with a well-balanced feature package. Its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset and 6GB or 8GB RAM perform well for daily chores. The MIUI 14 interface, based on Android 13, promises a smooth user experience, and the prospect of switching to HYPER OS is enticing. The camera system captures beautiful details in daytime but struggles in low light and lacks Dolby Atmos. The audio quality is good, with powerful bass and clean clarity. Along with its elegant and ergonomic design, the POCO C65’s 90Hz refresh rate display creates an immersive visual experience. An all-day battery is impressive.
