POCO has recently launched its new C-series smartphone, the POCO C61, in the Indian market. Positioned as a budget-friendly device, this smartphone aims to deliver solid performance without breaking the bank. After using the POCO C61 for several days, we’re here to share our experience, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s dive into the details and see how this phone performs in daily use.
Design and First Impressions
The first thing you notice about the POCO C61 is its simple yet functional design. While it doesn’t boast a premium build, it feels sturdy and comfortable to hold. The phone is lightweight and easy to carry, making it suitable for everyday use. The design is minimalistic, which is expected in this price range, but it doesn’t feel cheap.
Price and Variants
The POCO C61 comes in two storage variants:
- 4GB RAM + 64GB storage: Priced at Rs. 6,999
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Priced at Rs. 7,999
Both variants are available for purchase on e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, making them easily accessible to customers across India.
Performance: A Budget Powerhouse?
Under the hood, the POCO C61 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 processor, which is designed for entry-level smartphones. The review unit we tested came with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. However, the standout feature here is the virtual RAM support, which allows you to expand the RAM up to 12GB by utilizing free storage space. This feature is particularly useful for multitasking and keeping multiple apps running in the background.
During testing, we opened 13-14 apps simultaneously and switched between them to check the phone’s multitasking capabilities. While the phone handled the task reasonably well, there were occasional delays in app loading times. This is expected in a budget device, but the virtual RAM feature does help improve performance to some extent.
Gaming Experience: Casual Gaming Only
For gaming enthusiasts, we tested the POCO C61 with popular games like Subway Surfers and BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India). The phone performed well with Subway Surfers, offering a smooth and lag-free experience. However, when it came to BGMI, we noticed frame drops during a 30-minute gaming session. The phone struggled to maintain consistent performance in graphics-intensive games, which is understandable given its budget specifications.
Overall, the POCO C61 is best suited for casual gaming and light multitasking. If you’re a heavy gamer, this might not be the ideal choice for you.
Battery Life: A Strong Point
One of the highlights of the POCO C61 is its 5000mAh battery, which delivers impressive endurance. During testing, we used the phone for various tasks, including navigation, calling, social media browsing, camera usage, gaming, and video streaming. Even after a full day of heavy usage, the phone had 41% battery remaining, which is commendable.
However, the 10W charging speed is a letdown. It takes 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge the 5000mAh battery, which feels slow in today’s fast-paced world. If you’re someone who’s always on the go, the charging speed might be a bit frustrating.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing, starting at Rs. 6,999
- Virtual RAM support for improved multitasking
- 5000mAh battery with excellent battery life
- Decent performance for casual gaming and daily tasks
- Available on popular e-commerce platforms like Flipkart
Cons:
- Slow charging speed (10W)
- Struggles with graphics-intensive games
- Occasional delays in app loading during multitasking
- Basic design with no standout features
Final Verdict: Who Is It For?
The POCO C61 is a budget smartphone that offers good value for its price. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users, students, or anyone looking for an affordable device for basic tasks like calling, browsing, and casual gaming. The long-lasting battery is a major plus, but the slow charging speed and average gaming performance might not appeal to power users.
If you’re on a tight budget and need a reliable phone for everyday use, the POCO C61 is worth considering. However, if you’re looking for better performance or faster charging, you might want to explore other options in the same price range.
Where to Buy
You can purchase the POCO C61 from Flipkart or other authorized retailers. With its competitive pricing and decent features, it’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.
Also Read: Lava 03 Review: A Feature-Packed Smartphone That Delivers Power and Style