If you’ve ever been interested in Xiaomi smartphones, you’ve probably come across a mysterious name. POCO. It is not a separate brand, but a sub-brand within the Xiaomi ecosystem, which was originally positioned as the “killer flagships” – devices with top-end characteristics for the price of mid-budget devices. POCO — It is a self-directed direction with its own strategy, design and target audience.
But why did Xiaomi decide to create a separate lineup when it already had a successful Redmi: POCO It is aimed at enthusiasts, gamers and users who care about performance and innovation, but are not willing to pay too much for a premium brand, while Redmi is focused on the mass buyer with a focus on the balance of price and functionality. Let’s understand how the line developed, what features it has and whether to choose POCO Instead of classic Xiaomi or Redmi smartphones.
History of the origin POCO: From experiment to self-brand
Linea POCO She made her debut in 2018 with a model. POCO F1 — It was a smartphone that made a splash in the market, and it had Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon 845 processor, liquid cooling, and a price tag lower than that. $The 300 was unprecedented at the time, and the idea came from Xiaomi India, a team that wanted to create a device for the Indian market, where demand for powerful yet affordable smartphones was particularly high.
Success. POCO F1 Xiaomi has to rethink its strategy in 2020 POCO It became a sub-brand with a separate leadership and design solutions, and today it has a series of series:
- 📱 POCO F – flagship models with top-end processors (for example, POCO F6 Pro with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1).
- 🎮 POCO X – gaming smartphones with a focus on performance and cooling (POCO X6 Pro with Dimensity 8300-Ultra).
- 💰 POCO M – budget devices for the mass buyer (POCO M6 Pro with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2).
- 🔄 POCO C – Extra-budgetary devices for emerging markets (e.g, POCO C65).
Interesting fact: despite the division, POCO Xiaomi still uses resources – from production capacity to branded shell MIUI (This allows us to keep prices competitive without sacrificing quality.
Than. POCO Redmi: 5 key differences
At first glance, POCO Redmi and Redmi seem like twins: both Xiaomi sub-brands, both offer affordable smartphones, but in practice there are fundamental differences between them that should be considered when choosing a smartphone.
| Criteria | POCO | Redmi |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Gamers, enthusiasts, users who care about performance | A mass buyer looking for a balance of price and functionality |
| Processors | Top and sub-flagship chips (Snapdragon 8)+ Gen 1, Dimensity 9000+) | Budget and Medium-Budget Chips (Snapdragon) 6/7 series, Helio G) |
| Design | Aggressive play style, RGB-lighting, massive cooling systems | Classic minimalism, thin cases, neutral colors |
| Shell | MIUI for POCO Optimize for gaming and performance | Standard. MIUI stability-focused |
| Price range | 15,000 to 45,000. ₽ (depending on the series) | From 8,000 to 30,000. ₽ |
Important nuance: POCO It often uses past-generation processors (e.g. Snapdragon 8).+ Gen 1 inches POCO F6 Pro in 2026), but at the price of a new mid-budget chip, which saves on development without sacrificing performance.
⚠️ Warning: If you need a smartphone with long-term update support, Redmi may be more profitable – some models POCO Only 2 major Android updates are received, for example, POCO F4 I stopped at Android 13).
Technical features POCO: What stands out from the competition
POCO It's not just copying flagship solutions, it's got unique features that are rare in this price segment.
Cooling systems
Most models POCO X and POCO F equipped with multi-component cooling systems:
- 🔥 Refrigeration (vapor chamber) POCO F6 Pro area of the evaporation chamber reaches 5000 mm².
- ❄️ Graphite layers – dissipate heat from the processor and battery.
- 🌀 Ventilation holes - in some models (for example, POCO F5) There are special channels for the removal of hot air.
This makes smartphones longer to keep high performance under load, for example, in tests. POCO X6 Pro shows stable 60 FPS Genshin Impact at maximum settings for more than an hour without trottling.
2. Screens with high refresh rate
Even budget models POCO Often get displays with 120 Hz or 144 Hz. For comparison: the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ It's only 120 Hz. POCO X6 Offering 120 Hz AMOLED Dolby Vision for less money.
3. Gaming optimizations
Branded shell MIUI for POCO include:
- 🎯 Game Turbo – a mode that blocks notifications, optimizes performance and even allows you to assign virtual buttons on the screen.
- 🔊 Dynamic sound environment – in games, the sound adapts to the stage (for example, in Call of Duty Mobile, the opponent’s footsteps are better heard).
- 📶 Network Prioritization – Game traffic gets maximum bandwidth, even if YouTube is running in the background.
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In the settings POCO There's a hidden mode called "Ultra Game Mode." To activate it, go to Settings. → Special facilities → Game Turbo → Additionally, turn on the option. This will turn off all background processes except the game, and increase the clock speed of the processor by 10-15%.
Best models. POCO 2026: What to choose for your tasks
Assortment POCO We have selected top models for different use cases, all prices are relevant for the Russian market in mid-2026.
🏆 POCO F6 Pro - the flagship killer
This is the most powerful model of the line with a Snapdragon 8 processor+ Gen 1, 12 GB of RAM and screen 2K AMOLED 120Hz is ideal for gamers and users who need maximum margin of performance for years to come.
- ✅ Pros: liquid cooling, stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support.
- ❌ Cons: Weight 210g, no memory card slot.
🎮 POCO X6 Pro – the best gaming smartphone up to 30 000 ₽
Model on a Dimensity chip 8300-Ultra (analogue of Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance) with screen 1.5K AMOLED and frequency of 120 Hz. It is distinguished by an improved cooling system and a battery of 5000 mAh with a charging of 67 W.
💵 POCO M6 Pro - Budget All-rounder
Optimal choice for everyday tasks: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 90 Hz screen, 5000 mAh battery and price about 15 000 ₽. Suitable for social networks, videos and easy games.
Compare prices on the official website and in retail (the difference can reach 20%)
Check for global firmware (Chinese versions may not support Google Services)
Check support 5G In your area (some models only work with certain ranges)
Pay attention to the warranty (in Russia, the official warranty is valid only when buying from authorized sellers)-->
Comparison POCO With other brands: who offers more for the same money?
POCO The competition is not the only player in the market of “flagships at the price of the average”, it is Realme, OnePlus Nord and even Samsung Galaxy M. Let’s analyze who wins in key categories.
| Criteria | POCO | Realme | OnePlus Nord | Samsung Galaxy M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | Best in the segment (chips of past flagships) | Good, but often overheats. | Balanced but more expensive | Medium (Exynos chips or budget Snapdragon) |
| Screen. | 120-144 Hz AMOLED even in the middle segment | 90-120 Hz AMOLED (top-end) | 90 Hz AMOLED (Nord 3) | 60-90 Hz Super AMOLED (rarely 120 Hz) |
| Programme support | 2-3 years of Android updates | 2 years (often with delays) | 3-4 Year (best among competitors) | 4 years (but slow updates) |
POCO It's a win-win for hardware and price, but it's a loser in software support. If you're interested in long upgrades, you should look at OnePlus Nord or Samsung, POCO competitively.
⚠️ Attention: In models POCO There is often no official Widevine support. L1 Watch high-resolution videos on Netflix and Disney+. Before buying, specify this point for a particular model (for example, POCO X5 Pro has L1, POCO M6 — no).
Typical problems POCO: What to Consider Before Buying
Despite the obvious advantages, smartphones POCO There are also weaknesses, and you should know them in advance so you don't get disappointed after you buy them.
1. Software bugs
Shell MIUI for POCO frequently:
- 🐛 Accidental reboots (especially on new models in the first months after release).
- 📵 Network problems – some users complain of poor signal retention 4G/5G.
- 🔋 Incorrect display of battery charge (for example, percentage jumps).
This is partly solved by updates, but some bugs can stay for months.
2.Cameras
POCO Even flagship models often get medium modules (e.g., not focused on photography, POCO F6 The Pro has a 64MP main camera without optical stabilization. If you want to shoot, you should look at the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro.+.
3.Heating
Despite the advanced cooling systems, some models (e.g., the, POCO X5 Pro) warm up during long play sessions. This is not critical, but can cause discomfort.
How to check your smartphone for overheating before buying?
The future POCO: What to expect in 2026-2026
According to insiders, Xiaomi plans to develop POCO several-way:
- Closer integration with Xiaomi ecosystem, and new models may support HyperOS (new shell instead of new ones). MIUI).
POCO F7 and POCO X7 They are expected to be in the second half of 2026, and according to preliminary data, they will receive:
- 🔥 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors (for the F7) Dimensity 9200+ (for X7).
- 📸 Supported cameras 8K-Video and night mode at the level of flagships.
- 🔋 Batteries 5500 mAh with wireless charging of 50 W.
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If you need a smartphone POCO «It makes sense to wait until you get out. POCO F7 — It promises to be the most balanced device in the line in recent years.