Poco X2 Review: A Deep Dive into Features and Performance

The Poco X2 is a big phone, notable for its significant weight and width. The initial impression is that of a heavy and substantial device, comparable to the pro variants of other flagship phones. Here is a detailed breakdown of its features and performance based on real-world usage.

A Stunning 120Hz Display Experience

The phone features a 120Hz IPS LCD display. While an AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate could have been an ideal combination, getting a 120Hz refresh rate at this price point is a killer feature. The display performs well, with good visibility even in direct sunlight.

The high refresh rate makes a noticeable difference. Swipes and animations feel incredibly smooth and nice, creating a fluid user experience. It’s important to note that the phone doesn’t run continuously at 120Hz. To conserve battery, the software intelligently adjusts the refresh rate down when a high rate isn’t needed. There is no setting to force it to stay at 120Hz constantly.

The display has a dual punch-hole cutout for the front cameras. While it may seem a bit large at first, you quickly get used to it. There’s also an option to hide the cutout if you prefer. The design is actually two separate camera holes with a blacked-out area in between, which appears as a single cutout. Ultimately, it is not a major bother during use.

Built for Binging: Content Consumption and Audio

The Poco X2 is an excellent device for media consumption. It comes with a large 6.67-inch screen and has Widevine L1 support, which allows for HD streaming on platforms like Netflix and Hotstar.

However, the placement of the speaker grille is not ideal. When holding the phone horizontally for gaming or watching videos, your hand can easily cover the speaker, muffling the audio. To get clear sound, you may have to adjust your grip, which isn’t always convenient.

Build Quality and Design

Regarding its construction, the phone does not have a metal frame; instead, it uses a plastic one. Despite this, the quality feels sturdy and robust in the hand. The device is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 on the front. It is a rebranded K30, but the focus remains on the incredible value-for-money proposition it offers.

Software, Ads, and Connectivity

The device runs on MIUI 11, based on Android 10. During the testing period, no ads were observed within the user interface. While ads might exist within specific applications, they do not appear to be a bother for the majority of users.

Connectivity is solid. The phone supports Wi-Fi calling and network reception is excellent. When tested with two different carriers, there were no issues with call drops or network bands, ensuring a reliable connection.

Incredible Battery and Charging Performance

One of the most surprising and impressive aspects of the Poco X2 is its battery and charging capability. It is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which delivers exceptional screen-on time of 11 to 13 hours. This means that even heavy users will have no problem getting through a full day on a single charge.

The phone comes with a 27W charger in the box. This charger powers the device from 0 to 100% in a flat 75-76 minutes, which is a fantastic speed for a 4,500mAh battery.

Security and Biometrics

For security, the phone offers a face unlock feature that is extremely fast and works flawlessly. It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Its placement is in the natural resting position of the thumb, which can sometimes lead to accidental unlocks. To prevent this, there is a setting that requires you to press the button to unlock, rather than just touching it. The phone also includes an IR blaster, allowing it to function as a universal remote.

Powering Your Day: Performance and Gaming

The Poco X2 is powered by the Snapdragon 730G processor. While not a flagship 8-series chip that some might have expected, the 730G is a very capable and efficient processor. It handles the battery efficiently and provides a smooth experience.

Gaming performance is excellent. You can play games like Fortnite and COD on high settings with a great experience. While HDR settings for PUBG are not yet available, they are expected with a future update. Furthermore, some games natively support the 120Hz refresh rate, which makes gameplay feel incredibly smooth.

The phone also features liquid cooling technology. This helps manage heat effectively during long gaming sessions of 45 minutes to an hour. The device may feel warm, but it doesn’t have significant heating problems. General multitasking, app loading times, and animations are all handled perfectly, with no lag or frame freezes observed.

A Closer Look at the Camera

The Poco X2 is the first phone in India to feature the Sony IMX686 camera sensor. The camera setup is versatile and packed with features.

Video shooting, especially in 4K, is very good. Photos are also quite decent, though they can sometimes appear slightly overexposed or burnt-out in certain conditions. However, the overall camera experience is positive.

The camera software includes many useful features. For example, “Focus Peaking” in manual mode highlights which parts of your shot are in sharp focus. You also have the ability to save images in RAW format, which preserves more detail for professional editing. Another great feature is the ability to choose which rear lens (e.g., wide-angle or primary) you want to use to capture a photo.

The front of the phone houses a dual selfie camera setup (20MP + 2MP). The selfies are decent and can be described as slightly above average. The macro camera is also very good, allowing you to capture highly detailed macro photos and videos from a very close distance.

Final Verdict: Is the Poco X2 for You?

Undoubtedly, the Poco X2 is a value-for-money device. For the price, you get a lot of features, with the 120Hz refresh rate screen being a standout. It looks and feels like a modern phone.

However, no phone is perfect. The Poco X2 has a few downsides to consider:

• Hybrid SIM Slot: You can use either one SIM card and one SD card, or two SIM cards, but not all three at once.
• Heavy Build: The phone is quite heavy, which might not be comfortable for everyone.
• Side-Mounted Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a matter of personal preference; some will like it, others will not.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Poco X2 offers a fantastic package. It has some shortcomings, but its strengths in display, performance, and battery life make it a truly good device to buy.