Here at India Today Tech, our review section often spotlights premium-grade smartphones. This preference stems from understanding our readers' keen interest in staying updated with the latest innovations and top-tier devices, given their uniqueness. However, we're equally aware that despite the allure of high-end phones, the majority of consumers, for various reasons, tend to opt for budget-friendly options. Hence, today's spotlight falls on the Poco C65, a smartphone priced at just Rs 8,499.
The Poco C65 presents itself as a commendable choice within a very reasonable price bracket. It manages to bring forth hardware and specifications that align with the sub-Rs 10,000 category, delivering a performance and user experience that befits a quality budget phone. However, our recommendation for the Poco C65 isn't absolute due to what I perceive as a significant issue. While this might not resonate with everyone, I believe that despite its commendable attributes, the Poco C65 falls short of its potential. Let's delve deeper into this aspect shortly.
Firstly, let's delve into the specifications: The Poco C65 boasts a MediaTek Helio G85 SoC, a 50-megapixel rear camera, a 6.74-inch HD+ 90Hz display, and a substantial 5000mAh battery. These specs are fairly decent, yet I feel that there's a noticeable absence here — the lack of support for 5G connectivity. In an era where we're advancing rapidly, it's somewhat disappointing that the Poco C65 is limited to 4G support, albeit it remains sufficiently fast.
Following the customary progression in a review, let's start with the design aspect. Despite its budget positioning, I must admit that the Poco C65 sports an appealing appearance and offers a pleasant tactile feel. My review unit, dressed in a pastel blue hue, exhibits a charming glittery finish that personally appeals to me. While predominantly constructed with a plastic body, the back panel primarily showcases a matte finish. However, a glossy rectangular section at the top accommodates the triple camera setup, LED flash, and the prominent Poco branding. While the design is commendable, it's worth noting that the Poco C65 bears a striking resemblance to the Redmi 13C 4G, a more expensive smartphone priced around Rs 12,000. Nevertheless, the prominent Poco branding serves as a distinguishing mark for consumers.
The placement of the power and volume buttons on the right side is convenient, ensuring ease of access and operation, even while handling the phone single-handedly. Despite its expansive 6.74-inch display and robust 5000mAh battery, the C65 surprisingly offers a lightweight feel owing to its plastic construction.
Interestingly, despite its affordable price point, the C65 manages to offer a degree of protection against water and dust. With an IP52 certification, it adds a layer of appeal in terms of durability and reliability.
Overall, I find the design and build of the Poco C65 commendable. However, shifting focus to the display, the prominent bezels, particularly at the bottom, draw attention and may not appeal to all users. Yet, thick bezels are a common sight in most budget smartphones. Depending on your sensitivity to screen borders, your reaction to the bezels may vary. Coming from experience with higher-end phones, I couldn't help but notice them.
On a positive note, the display's refresh rate stands out. Despite its modest pricing, the C65 boasts a 90Hz display. Users have the flexibility to toggle between 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rates, and I opted for the higher setting. This elevated the smoothness of scrolling through the Instagram timeline, but it also incurred a higher battery consumption.
