POCO Xiaomi: what is this brand, its history and key features of smartphones

If you are interested in Xiaomi smartphones, you probably came across the name POCO — sub-brand, which is often mentioned in the same line as Redmi and the main line of Mi. POCO Is it a separate company, a subsidiary brand, or just a marketing ploy? In this article, we'll go through the story of the story. POCO, Its connection to Xiaomi, key features of smartphones and how they differ from other brands.

Just make it clear: POCO — It's not just "another series of phones," but a standalone sub-brand that was originally positioned as Xiaomi's answer to enthusiasts and gamers' requests, and its main feature is a combination of flagship features (processors, displays, cooling) with a democratic price. However, over the years of existence POCO It's gone through a lot of changes, from almost complete autonomy to a merger with Redmi and back again, and now it's a separate business, but with different priorities.

To see if your smartphone is right for you POCO, We need to understand three key aspects:

• 🔹 Brand history - how POCO Why he was “killed” and resurrected, and how it affected the devices.
• 🔹 Technical features - than POCO It differs from Redmi and Xiaomi’s core lineup in 2026.
• 🔹 Target audience – who really needs to pay attention to POCO, Who better to consider alternatives.

1. History. POCO: from independence to merger with Redmi and back

Brand POCO It was officially introduced in August 2018 as a sub-brand of Xiaomi, focused on the international market. POCO F1 — Smartphone that made a splash thanks to the top-end Snapdragon 845 processor, liquid cooling and price lower $The device instantly became a hit among gamers and enthusiasts, as it offered the performance of flagships at the cost of medium-budget devices.

Interesting fact: initially POCO It was developed as a completely independent brand with its own team of engineers and designers, allowing it to experiment with solutions not available to the main line of Xiaomi, POCO F1 It was designed with a unique polycarbonate back panel that mimicked glass, but was stronger and cheaper to produce.

In 2020, Xiaomi decided to combine the POCO And with Redmi, as part of the business process optimization process, it led to the fact that POCO It has lost its uniqueness for a while: new models (POCO X3 NFC, POCO M3) The strategy was to become redone versions of Redmi smartphones with minimal changes, a strategy that angered fans of the brand, who expected the company to use the same technology. POCO innovation, not rebranding.

The situation changed in 2021-2022, when POCO It has become an independent brand again, but with a new concept: it now focuses on performance and gaming capabilities while maintaining affordable prices. POCO It produces smartphones that occupy a niche between Redmi (budget solutions) and the main line of Xiaomi (premium devices).

⚠️ Note: If you see a smartphone POCO with a similar name to the Redmi model (for example, POCO X5 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+), This is not an accident. In 2020-2021, many devices are being used. POCO They were clones of Redmi with different software and designs, and today, they don't, but the old models are still on sale.

2. POCO Xiaomi vs Redmi vs Xiaomi: What’s the difference in 2026?

The main issue that concerns buyers: POCO How does it differ from other Xiaomi brands? Let's analyze the key differences by three criteria: hardware, software and target audience.

The main difference POCO Today, we're focusing on productivity, POCO F6 Pro (2026) is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1 is still relevant for gaming, while Redmi Note 13 Pro is still relevant for gaming.+ It gets a Dimensity 7200 Ultra, which is a good chip, but it's not a gaming chip, POCO frequently:

• 🎮 Game triggers (physical or touch buttons for games, like in Black Shark).
• ⚡ Fast charging (up to 120 watts in top models).
• 🔊 Stereo speakers with support for Dolby Atmos (rare for budget smartphones).
• 🖥️ Extended performance settings in MIUI (Turbo" modes, restriction FPS battery-saving).

3. Software: MIUI for POCO — changed?

Previously smartphones POCO They worked on their own firmware. POCO Launcher, which was closer to “pure” Android and devoid of many “chips» MIUI. After the merger with Redmi in 2020 POCO I switched to standard. MIUI, But with some exceptions, today's situation is as follows:

New models. POCO (starting POCO F4 and POCO X4 Pros are working on MIUI for POCO — It's a modified version. MIUI, wherein:

• 📱 Removed a number of unnecessary services Xiaomi (for example, advertising in system applications).
• 🎯 Gaming optimizations added (Game Turbo mode, monitoring) FPS, blocking notifications during play).
• 🔄 Updates are coming at the same time as Redmi, but sometimes with a delay for the main line of Xiaomi.

However, there is a nuance: global and Chinese versions POCO For example, Chinese firmware often lacks Google services, but has more customization features, while global versions are optimized for European and Indian markets, where games like the likes of the game are popular. PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile.

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Before the purchase POCO Check the firmware region! Chinese versions (CN) Google Play may not support Google Play and may have language restrictions.Global (Global) and Indian (IN) version.

If you are planning to customize the firmware, POCO — Good choice: the development community is actively supporting these devices. POCO F3 and POCO X3 Pro available unofficial builds LineageOS, Pixel Experience and other custom firmware.

4.Best models POCO 2026: What to look for?

In 2026, the line POCO It's a series of series, each one of which is targeted at a different audience:

📱 POCO F6 Pro - the flagship killer

Successor POCO F5 Pro, equipped with a Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1, display AMOLED 2K 120Hz and charging 120W. The main advantages:

• 🎮 Support for hardware raytracing (important for next-generation mobile games).
• 🔋 5000 mAh battery with fast charging technology.
• 📸 Triple camera with 50 MP main sensor (SONY IMX766).

📱 POCO X6 Pro – the gold standard in terms of price/quality ratio

A model based on Dimensity 8300-Ultra — One of the most energy efficient processors of 2026:

• 🖥️ Screen. AMOLED 1.5K Supported by Dolby Vision.
• 🎧 Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support.
• 💰 Price is lower than competitors with similar characteristics (for example, Realme). GT Neo 6).

📱 POCO M6 Pro – budget option with good performance

For those looking for a low-cost smartphone with acceptable performance, it features a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip that handles everyday tasks and easy games.

• 🔋 5000 mAh battery with fast charging support 33W.
• 📸 64 MP main camera (good for its price range).
• 💵 One of the lowest prices among smartphones AMOLED-screen.

When choosing a model POCO Pay attention to the region of sales: some devices (for example, POCO C-series) are only available in India and have limited support in other countries.

5. Who's right for? POCO: brand-side

POCO — It's not a universal brand. It's not for everyone, but it offers unique benefits to its target audience. POCO, Who better to pay attention to alternatives.

✅ Who's good for it? POCO:

• 🎮 Gamers – thanks to powerful processors, cooling systems and optimized software.
• 💰 Enthusiasts who want flagship performance for less money.
• 🔧 Customization lovers — POCO Often gets updates before Redmi, and the community is actively developing custom firmware.
• 📱 Those who appreciate high screen refresh rates (120–144 Hz even in mid-budget models).

❌ Who? POCO wrong:

• 📸 Photographers -- cameras in POCO Xiaomi and even some Redmi (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+ It has a better camera than POCO X6).
• 🏆 Those who want premium design and materials — POCO Focuses on “iron” rather than appearance.
• 🔄 Users who need long-term update support — POCO Gets updates longer than Redmi, but less than Xiaomi’s core lineup.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying POCO For photography, be prepared for the fact that cameras here often "pump" in low light conditions, POCO F5 It has a good main sensor, but a weak telephoto module, which limits the capabilities of zoom.

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POCO — If you want the best cameras or premium design, consider Xiaomi’s core lineup or alternatives from the likes of the two. Samsung/OnePlus.

6.Where and how to buy POCO: Official and informal channels

Smartphones POCO Officially sold in Russia, Europe, India and other regions, but there are nuances with supplies and warranty. POCO 2026 and what to look for.

🛒 Official channels of purchase:

• 🌍 Xiaomi Global Website (mi.com) – Here are models with global firmware and warranty.

⚠️ Informal channels (risks and benefits):

• 📦 AliExpress, Amazon Global – You can find cheap models, but there is a risk to get a Chinese version without Google Play.
• 🛠️ Service centers – sometimes sell refurbished devices with warranty.

When you buy POCO be sure to check:

If you're buying POCO From China, be prepared for the fact that you may need to firmware a global version. MIUI. It is not difficult, but requires unlocking the bootloader, which voids the warranty.

7. The future POCO: What to expect from the brand in 2026-2026?

In 2026. POCO It continues to evolve, not as a budget flagship, but as a brand for enthusiasts with a focus on productivity and innovation in the mid-range segment. Według The latest leaks and official announcements can be expected in the coming years:

• 🔥 Using Snapdragon processors 8s Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300 in new flagships (for example, the new model, POCO F7 Pro).
• 🎮 Cooperation with gaming brands (for example, special editions for the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

But there are risks: Xiaomi could change its strategy again. POCO, If the brand does not generate the expected profit, for example, in 2023 the line was suspended. POCO C (budget models) as it duplicated the Redmi A-series.

If you are planning to buy POCO In 2026, watch out for the announcements. POCO F7 and POCO X7 — These models promise to be the most interesting in the lineup.

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