Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro review – Powerful mid-range with a high-end SoC

Xiaomi has released the fastest Poco smartphone to date, the Poco F5 Pro. This 6.67-inch gadget, powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, outperforms other mid-range smartphones significantly. It has remarkable features such as WiFi 6E, a powerful main camera in daylight, fast 67-watt charging, and a long battery life.

While the performance advantage over its counterpart, the Poco F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2), may not be substantial, the Poco F5 Pro stands out with additional features. Its 120 Hz AMOLED panel supports a fully-featured always-on function, operates with double the touch sensitivity (480 vs. 240 Hz), and boasts a WQHD+ resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels, distinguishing it from the Poco F5. Furthermore, the Poco F5 Pro exclusively offers IP53 certification and supports wireless charging at 30 watts.

The Xiaomi Poco F5 combines robust features and high performance with a relatively affordable price.

Despite its aspirations to compete in the upper class, the Poco F5 Pro reveals its mid-range status in certain aspects. Notably, its plastic back and frame, while well-crafted, underscore its mid-range identity. The triple camera system could also benefit from improvement, and the uncertainty regarding software updates is a drawback. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the 3.5mm headphone jack is only present on the Poco F5. 

For those considering alternatives to the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro, options like the more budget-friendly Poco F5, Google Pixel 7a, and Samsung Galaxy S23 stand out. The latter two, in particular, offer an extended update period of 5 years, surpassing the Poco F5 Pro in this aspect.