Poco M6 Pro 5G an Update to the Poco M5 at Rs 10999: Compared

The Poco M6 Pro 5G is a minor upgrade to the Poco M5. In reality, for Rs 10,999, which is Rs 1,500 more than the Poco M5, the M6 Pro does bring some significant changes to the table, including 5G, a newer CPU, and a modified design. So, should you buy Poco's latest cheap phone or consider upgrading from the Poco M5?

Poco M6 Pro 5G vs Poco M5: Design

Compared to the Poco M5, the Poco M6 Pro accomplishes many things well in terms of design. A flat-quality glass rear has replaced the curved, textured plastic. The elevated camera island on the Poco M5 has been replaced with a flush camera island on the Poco M6 Pro. However, the camera rings are somewhat protruding. The Poco M6 Pro also has IP53 dust and splash protection, something the Poco M5 does not have.

Poco M6 Pro 5G vs Poco M5: Display

The side frame and button locations are identical. However, instead of the tear-drop notch, the display now has a hole-punch design, which is a pleasant change. Returning to the buttons, they provide excellent tactile feedback, and the fingerprint reader is built into the power button. Physical sensors are fast and responsive, as one would expect. Aside from that, the type-C connection and single-speaker layout at the bottom remains the same, in addition to the top-mounted headphone jack and IR blaster.

Poco M6 Pro 5G vs Poco M5: Specifications

It's also worth noting that the Poco M6 Pro has a hybrid SIM slot, which is a plus. Overall, the design of the Poco M6 Pro needs to convey the impression that you are holding a low-cost phone. The build quality is good, you get IP53 protection, and the flat design with the glass back adds a touch of premium-ness, making the Poco M6 Pro phone seem more like a Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 gadget.

Aside from a slight increase in size, from 6.58" on the Poco M5 to 6.79" on the Poco M6 Pro, the display specifications on the newer model remain the same, namely an IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and slightly increased brightness from 500 nits on the M5 to 550 nits on the M6 Pro.

Poco M6 Pro 5G vs Poco M5: Camera

The Poco M6 Pro has a 50MP primary rear camera and a 2MP depth sensor. This is without the M5's macro camera. On paper, the 8MP lens on the front is an improvement over the 5MP lens in the M5. Regarding details and wide dynamic range, the photographs shot from the 50MP main sensor under reasonable lighting did not disappoint. However, HDR performance can be hit or miss, so consistency is an issue with the Poco M6 Pro. Again, if there's enough artificial light nearby, you should anticipate satisfactory images with acceptable colour and contrast in night shots. It's also worth noting that the Poco M6 Pro lacks a dedicated night mode.

Regarding cameras, the Poco M5 has a triple camera configuration on the back, with a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 2-megapixel camera, and a 2-megapixel camera. It includes a single front-facing camera with an 8-megapixel sensor for selfies.

Poco M6 Pro 5G vs Poco M5: Verdict

Considering everything, the Poco M5 does not require an upgrade to the Poco M6 Pro 5G unless and until you truly desire the 5G experience. Because while the design and chipset are new, they aren't game changers above the Poco M5. For new consumers seeking a cheap 5G smartphone, the flat persona and the glass-back look and feel are rather fantastic — and, of course, the 5G connection is worth the Rs 1,500 premium over the Poco M5. So, if you want a phone that has acceptable performance, looks good, has excellent durability, and has 5G, the Poco M6 Pro is a smart option right now for around Rs 11,000.