Launched in March 2024, the Poco C61 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a large display, decent battery life, and a modern operating system at an attractive price point. Let’s delve deeper into the specifications and see if this phone is the right choice for you.
Display and Design
The Poco C61 boasts a large 6.71-inch HD+ (720 x 1650 pixels) IPS LCD display. While not the sharpest, it offers a smooth 90Hz refresh rate for a more fluid user experience, especially when scrolling through menus or playing games. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering some scratch resistance against everyday wear and tear.
The phone comes in three colors: Diamond Dust Black, Ethereal Blue, and Mythical Green. The bezels are a bit chunky, and there’s a waterdrop notch at the top that houses the front-facing camera. The back panel has a textured finish that helps with grip and reduces the appearance of fingerprints.
Performance and Software
The Poco C61 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 processor, a budget-oriented chipset aimed at everyday tasks and light gaming. It’s paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, which is sufficient for multitasking and running most apps smoothly. However, if you’re a power user or a heavy gamer, you might want to consider a phone with a more powerful processor.
The phone runs Android 14 out of the box, which is a major plus for a budget device. This ensures you get access to the latest features and security updates from Google.
Cameras
The Poco C61’s camera department is basic. On the back, you get a dual camera system consisting of an 8-megapixel primary sensor and a secondary sensor with a measly 0.08-megapixel resolution, likely for depth information. While it might capture decent photos in good lighting conditions, don’t expect exceptional quality or low-light performance.
The front-facing camera for selfies is a 5-megapixel sensor, which is average for a budget phone.
Battery and Storage
The Poco C61 packs a massive 5000mAh battery, which should easily last you a full day or even two on a single charge, depending on your usage. The phone also supports 18W fast charging, which helps you get back up and running quickly when the battery runs low.
Storage options include 64GB or 128GB, which is expandable via a microSD card slot up to 1TB for additional storage space for photos, videos, and apps.
Other Features
The Poco C61 comes with all the essential connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v5.40, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. It also has a fingerprint sensor on the back for secure unlocking.
Price and Verdict
The Poco C61 starts at around ₹6,999 (approx. $85) in India for the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant. This makes it a very attractive option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display, smooth refresh rate, and a clean software experience.
However, if you’re looking for a phone with a powerful processor, a versatile camera system, or a more premium design, you might need to look elsewhere.
