It’s been years since the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro burst onto the market as one of the top contenders in the budget segment, when it seemed like the king of value for money, offering the screen that flagships usually get. But technology is not standing still, and in 2026, many people wonder whether this smartphone is relevant or its time is irrevocably gone.
Many users now view the gadget solely as an option to buy in the secondary market or as a first device for a child, and component depreciation is key here, and over the years, the battery could lose a significant amount of capacity, and the screen matrix could burn out if the owner did not monitor the brightness.
In this article, we will examine how the Poco M4 Pro behaves in the context of modern applications and heavy interfaces. Should you contact a model that has stopped receiving major Android updates, or is it still able to surprise?
Display and multimedia capabilities
The main feature of the model has always been its AMOLED-matrix with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. In its price range, this was rare. Color reproduction remains saturated, and black color is really deep, which distinguishes the device from competitors with IPS-screens of the same period.
But the thing to consider is the Pixelworks technology that was used for calibration, and after years of use, you might see static interface elements like the status bar or the navigation buttons burn out, and that's a natural degradation process of organic LEDs.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used copy, be sure to turn on the white image at maximum brightness to check the screen for residual traces (burnout) and broken pixels.
The sound also raises questions for new owners, and the stereo speakers are there, but they're quite specific, there's practically no bass, and at maximum volume, there's a noticeable hoarseness. You can watch YouTube videos, but audiophiles will need a Bluetooth headset or wired headphones.
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Turn on the Read mode in the screen settings to reduce eye strain and reduce the risk of pixel burnout with prolonged use of your smartphone to read books.
Performance and gaming tests
At the heart of the device is the MediaTek Helio G96 processor. It was a good middleman for 2022, but today it is limited. In everyday tasks — messengers, browser, navigation — the smartphone works confidently, although sometimes you can see micro-freezes when switching between heavy applications.
The game situation is more complicated. Lightweight projects like Clash Royale or Candy Crush fly. However, modern hits like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail will make the processor run at its limit, causing heavy body heat and trottling (reduced frequency for cooling).
- 🎮 PUBG Mobile: Stable 30-40 FPS on medium settings, possible drawdowns in hot zones.
- 🏎️ Asphalt 9: Playable only in low graphics settings, the phone warms up significantly.
- 🏰 Call of Duty Mobile: Comfortable game on medium settings, but battery goes down very quickly.
If you plan to use your phone for mobile gaming in 2026, it’s best to look at the more recent models with Snapdragon 7 or 8 series processors. G96 It is no longer possible to optimize modern engines.
Autonomy and charging speed
Battery capacity 5000 mAh is a standard that Xiaomi has implemented in many of its devices. In the early years of its life, the smartphone lived easily for a day and a half to two. Now, years later, the real capacity could have dropped to a point where it was a very small device. 70-80% from the original, which reduces the work time to one full day.
Support for fast charging of 33 watts allows you to replenish energy in about an hour. This is not a record by modern standards, where the standard is 67 watts and even 120 watts, but for the budget segment is quite acceptable.
☑️ Diagnostics of battery status
It’s worth noting that MIUI algorithms (or HyperOS, if the update comes) can aggressively kill background processes to save energy, which can lead to delays in receiving notifications from messengers if you don’t add them to the exception list in the Battery settings → Energy Savings.
Camera: photo and video
The 64MP optical stabilization (OIS) core module is rare in this class. OIS does help to take sharper low-light images and stabilize video. But the 2026 software processing is already looking outdated, with a lot of noise in the shadows and lights in bright areas.
The 8MP ultra-wide angle camera is more of a fashion homage. Details are low, colors often don't match the main module, and at night, the images turn into mush from noise. The 2MP macro camera is practically useless and serves only as a marketing element.
⚠️ Note: Video recording is only possible in resolution 1080p 30 or 60 frames per second. 4K In this model, software is blocked, do not believe the promises of third-party camera applications.
The 16MP front camera handles video calls and selfies in good light. Indoor quality drops, graininess appears. For social networks like Instagram or TikTok, quality is good enough, but for serious blogging is not enough.
Comparison of characteristics with competitors
To understand the Poco M4 Pro’s place in the current reality, let’s compare it to the typical 2026 budget segment and its direct competitors of the time.
| Characteristics | Poco M4 Pro | Typical budget 2026 | Flagship 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Helio G96 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 / Dimensity 6300 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Screen. | AMOLED 90 Hz | IPS 120Hz / AMOLED 90Hz | LTPO AMOLED 120Hz |
| Charging. | 33 Watts | 45-67 W. | 120 W+ |
| Memory. | up to 256GB | up to 512GB | up to 1 TB |
| OS (start) | Android 11 | Android 14/15 | Android 12/13 |
As you can see from the table, the technical gap with the new public sector employees is already noticeable, especially in terms of processor and charging speed. AMOLED and OIS It is still distinguished by many modern "plastic" state employees from the IPS-screen.
Secret codes for diagnosis
Software and updates
With software support Xiaomi in the budget segment traditionally difficult. Poco M4 Pro received an update to Android 13 and the shell MIUI 14. further major Android updates for it is unlikely, although security patches may come for some time.
The lack of new OS versions means that some new interface and optimization features will remain unavailable, and apps will become more demanding over time, and the old Android may run less efficiently, consuming more resources.
If you’re tech-savvy, consider installing custom firmware (Custom ROM) like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, which will give you a fresh Android and extend the life of the device, but requires unlocking the bootloader, which may not be safe for inexperienced users.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader and installing third-party firmware will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and risk turning the phone into a “brick” if you do not do it correctly.
The final verdict: buy or not?
In 2026, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is a device with a very specific niche. Buying it new in the store no longer makes sense, since for the same money you can find more modern models with better support and performance. The only reasonable purchase scenario is a secondary market with a price tag well below the original cost.
It's great as a first smartphone for a child, a device for navigating in the car (thanks to a good screen), or a phone for older people who don't need complex features. For an active user who spends a lot of time on a smartphone, it can already be a bit slow.
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The Poco M4 Pro in 2026 is the king of secondarys to $100-120, but nothing more. Its screen is still good, but the processor is already outdated.
If your current phone crashes and your budget is tight, that option is right for life. But if you're waiting for the flagship killer, alas, the time has passed. Technology has gone far ahead, leaving the Helio G96 on the sidelines.