Xiaomi Poco F2 Review: Power, Performance & Value Reimagined
When Xiaomi introduced the Poco F1 back in 2018, it redefined the value-for-money equation in the smartphone market. Fast forward to the Poco F2, expectations were sky-high — and while the F2 has taken a slightly different approach, it still delivers a compelling package for those seeking high performance without breaking the bank.
Design & Display
The Poco F2 sports a sleek, modern design with a premium glass back and an aluminum frame, a major leap forward from the polycarbonate build of its predecessor. The front houses a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. With vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a 60Hz refresh rate (which may feel underwhelming compared to the competition), the display still manages to impress for everyday use and media consumption.
Performance
Under the hood, the Poco F2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor — a flagship chip known for its raw power and efficiency. Paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, the device handles multitasking, gaming, and app launches with ease. MIUI for Poco, layered on top of Android 10 (upgradeable), is smooth, though still peppered with some bloatware and ads, which may bother some users.
Camera System
The rear camera setup consists of a quad-camera array: a 64MP main sensor, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. In daylight, the photos come out sharp and well-detailed, with good dynamic range. Low-light performance is decent thanks to Night Mode, though not flagship-level. The 20MP front camera does a solid job for selfies and video calls, with natural skin tones and decent detail.
Battery Life & Charging
With a 4700mAh battery, the Poco F2 can easily last a full day on moderate to heavy use. It supports 33W fast charging, which juices up the device from 0 to 100% in about an hour — fast enough for most users. Wireless charging is notably absent, but at this price point, it’s not a dealbreaker.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Poco F2 is a solid follow-up that leans into performance, battery life, and design while slightly stepping away from the ultra-budget roots of the F1. It may not be the absolute flagship killer its predecessor was, but for users seeking flagship-level power at a mid-range price, the Poco F2 offers exceptional value.
Pros:
- Excellent performance with Snapdragon 865
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- Solid build quality
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons:
- No high refresh rate display
- No wireless charging
- MIUI bloatware and ads