Xiaomi Poco F6 Review: Gaming Power for Cheap
In the crowded mid-range smartphone market of 2025, finding a device that packs flagship-level gaming performance without breaking the bank is like striking gold. Enter the Xiaomi Poco F6—a beast of a phone that's been turning heads since its May 2024 launch and continues to deliver value even as newer models emerge. Priced as low as $269 for the 12GB RAM + 512GB variant in some regions, the Poco F6 proves you don't need to spend $800+ on a gaming rig to enjoy buttery-smooth gameplay in titles like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile.
If you're searching for the best budget gaming phone under $300 or wondering if the Poco F6 holds up in 2025, this in-depth review has you covered. We'll dive into its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 prowess, stunning display, battery life, and more. Let's see if this "flagship killer" lives up to the hype.
Unboxing and Design: Sleek, Sturdy, and Gamer-Ready
Right out of the box, the Poco F6 feels premium for its price point. The package includes the phone, a 90W HyperCharge brick, USB-C cable, and a soft-touch silicone case—essentials that many competitors skimp on. At 179g and 7.8mm thin, it's lightweight and ergonomic, perfect for marathon gaming sessions without hand fatigue.
The design is understated yet tough: a flat polycarbonate frame with a matte finish in colors like Black, Green, or Titanium. It sports an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, which is rare in this segment—meaning you can game through a sweaty commute without worry. The camera module protrudes slightly (about 3mm), causing a minor wobble on flat surfaces, but it's no dealbreaker.
Up top, you'll find a slim bezel around the 6.67-inch display, with Gorilla Glass Victus for scratch protection. Side-mounted buttons are tactile, and the in-display fingerprint scanner is lightning-fast. Overall, it's a no-frills build that prioritizes function over flash—ideal for gamers who value grip over glamour.
Display: A Visual Feast for Immersive Gaming
The Poco F6's 6.67-inch CrystalRes Flow AMOLED display is a standout feature, boasting 1.5K resolution (2712 x 1220 pixels) at 446 PPI for sharp, vibrant visuals. With a 120Hz refresh rate and 2160Hz touch sampling, swipes and taps feel instantaneous—crucial for competitive gaming.
Peak brightness hits 2400 nits for HDR content, making it usable outdoors even on sunny days, and it supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut for cinematic colors. In our tests, it peaked at 2276 nits in HDR mode, outshining many rivals like the Samsung Galaxy A55.
For gamers, the 1920Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain during late-night sessions, and the borderless design (94.27% screen-to-body ratio) pulls you into the action. Whether you're exploring open worlds in Genshin Impact or dodging bullets in COD Mobile, this screen delivers without compromise.
Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 – Budget Gaming Beast
At the heart of the Poco F6 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm process), a near-flagship chip that punches way above its weight. Paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage, it handles multitasking like a pro—no lag when switching between apps or streaming while gaming.
Benchmark-wise, it scored 1,437,278 on AnTuTu v10.7 and 1,675 single-core / 4,383 multi-core on Geekbench 6, rivaling pricier phones like the Google Pixel 8a. Graphics are powered by the Adreno 735 GPU, which aced 3DMark Wild Life stress tests at 81.2% stability.
But real-world performance is where it shines. In Genshin Impact at max settings, we hit 59 FPS with minimal throttling, thanks to the IceLoop vapor chamber cooling system (3x more efficient than traditional VC). PUBG Mobile and BGMI ran at 60 FPS ultra, while lighter titles like Mobile Legends cruised at 120 FPS. WildBoost Optimization 3.0 tunes frame rates dynamically, ensuring smooth play even at the high-res display.
It does warm up (up to 41°C indoors during extended sessions), but no crashes or stutters. For emulation fans, it crushes retro games and Android ports effortlessly. In short, the Poco F6 is the best mid-range gaming phone for 2025 if performance is your priority.
Camera: Solid for Casual Snaps, Not a Pro Tool
The Poco F6's triple-camera setup is competent but not revolutionary. The 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX882, f/1.6, OIS) captures sharp, detailed shots in daylight with natural colors and good dynamic range. Low-light performance is improved over predecessors, thanks to Night mode, but expect some noise.
The 8MP ultrawide is average—decent for landscapes but soft at edges—and there's a 2MP macro for close-ups (skip it). Selfies from the 20MP front cam are vibrant, ideal for social media.
Video hits 4K/60fps with stabilization, and AI features like Magic Erase Pro clean up backgrounds nicely. It's no Pixel killer, but for gamers who occasionally snap a squad pic, it's more than enough.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Power with a Quick Top-Up
The 5000mAh battery lasts 16 hours in our WLAN test—on par with the Galaxy A55—delivering a full day of mixed use (gaming, streaming, browsing). Heavy gaming drains it faster (about 15-20% per hour at max settings), but standby efficiency is excellent.
The real hero is 90W wired charging: 0-100% in 40-45 minutes (real-world; Xiaomi claims 30). No wireless option, but at this price, it's forgivable. In 2025, with HyperOS updates optimizing power draw, battery anxiety is a non-issue.
Software: HyperOS Delivers, But Bloat Lingers
Running Android 14-based HyperOS (upgradable to Android 15/HyperOS 2.0), the Poco F6 offers three years of OS updates and four years of security patches—decent for the segment. The UI is fluid, with customizable themes, always-on display, and AI tools like photo editing.
Bloatware is present (duplicate apps, game boosters), but most uninstall easily. Once debloated, it's snappy and feature-rich, with Game Turbo mode for performance tweaks. If you crave stock Android, it's not the Pixel 8a—but for customization lovers, it's a win.
Pros and Cons: Quick Hits
Pros:
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for gaming
- Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display with Dolby Vision
- 90W charging and solid battery life
- Affordable price (under $300 in 2025 deals)
- IP64 protection and vibrant design
Cons:
- Gets warm during prolonged gaming
- Average camera in low light
- Some bloatware out of the box
- No wireless charging or expandable storage
Is the Poco F6 Worth Buying in 2025?
Absolutely—especially if you're hunting gaming power for cheap. At around $269-$399 depending on config and region, the Poco F6 outperforms most sub-$400 rivals in raw speed and display quality, making it a steal for mobile gamers. It's not perfect (battery could be longer, software cleaner), but for the price, it's unbeatable value.
Compared to the Poco X7 Pro (better battery but similar price) or Samsung A55 (slower chip), the F6 edges out on performance. If gaming's your jam and budget's tight, grab it before F7 rumors heat up. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
