POCO is one of Xiaomi's most talked-about sub-brands, and has become a standalone player in the smartphone market in a few years, and many users still confuse it with the Redmi or Mi lineup, even though POCO has a unique philosophy: maximum performance for minimal money. But what exactly is behind this name? Why are POCO smartphones so popular among gamers and enthusiasts, and what are the pitfalls of this series?
In this article, we will analyze the history of the origin in detail. POCO, It's evolved from a Xiaomi sub-brand to an independent player, key technical features, and it's comparable to other lines in the company. You'll learn which models to consider in 2026, and which ones to abandon — and why. POCO, This prevents users from making informed choices.
The story of POCO: from Xiaomi experiment to independent brand
The POCO line debuted in 2018 with the POCO F1, a smartphone that made a splash with Qualcomm's top-end Snapdragon 845 processor and priced below $300. Initially, it was an experiment by Xiaomi: the company wanted to create a device for enthusiasts willing to sacrifice some "chips" for powerful iron. The success of the POCO F1 exceeded expectations — the model sold millions of copies, and the brand was developed.
But by 2020, POCO had become independent of Xiaomi — officially at least — and in practice, the two brands are still closely related, using the same production facilities, components, and even firmware (based on MIUI), but the marketing strategy has changed: POCO is positioned as a brand for young people and gamers, while Redmi remains the “people’s” lineup and Xiaomi is premium.
Interesting fact: POCO stands for "Power COmputer," which reflects the original idea of making a smartphone with PC performance. However, over time, the focus has shifted to affordability, and POCO is now associated with price-performance ratio rather than absolute power.
Key features of smartphones POCO
POCO smartphones stand out from competitors with several unique features that should be considered when choosing:
- 🔥 Processors flagship level in budget models: for example, POCO F5 Pro gets Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which in 2023 was worth 2-3 times more in other brands.
- 🎮 Optimization for gaming: Many models feature LiquidCool technology, increased speakers and triggers for games (as in the case of the game). POCO F4 GT).
- 🔄 Pure Android with a minimum layer MIUI: In recent models POCO firmware POCO Launcher that is closer to Android than standard MIUI.
- 🔋 Fast charging without compromise: Even budget models support 33W–120W, and the flagships, up to 210W (like POCO F6 Pro).
- 💰 Aggressive pricing policies: POCO Often cheaper than counterparts from Samsung or Realme by 20-30% with similar characteristics.
But there’s a downside: to make the devices cheaper, POCO sometimes saves on screens (like the POCO X5’s AMOLED matrix, but with only FHD+ resolution), cameras (size sensors from Samsung’s mid-range) and body (plastic instead of glass).
💡
If you care about photography, look for models marked “Pro” – they often have sensors from Sony IMX (for example, the POCO F5 Pro with IMX766).
POCO vs. Redmi vs. Xiaomi: What’s the difference?
Many buyers confuse POCO, Redmi and Xiaomi (Mi series), although each line has its own audience and priorities.
| Characteristics | POCO | Redmi | Xiaomi (Mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Gamers, enthusiasts, youth | Family budget segment | Premium users |
| Processors | Flagship chips in the middle segment | Budget and Medium-Sized Chips (Snapdragon 4/6/7) | Snapdragon 8 Gen or Dimensity 9000+ |
| Design | Aggressive, gaming (RGB-backlighting, massive camera modules) | Classic, minimalist | Premium (glass, metal, thin frames) |
| Cameras | Medium (Priority – Productivity) | Budgetary (the main module 48-64 MP) | Flagship (collaboration with Leica) |
| Price. | 15,000 to 45,000. ₽ | From 8,000 to 30,000. ₽ | Between 50,000 and 120,000 ₽ |
The main difference between POCO is its emphasis on performance at the expense of other aspects. For example, the POCO F4 GT has better cooling and a screen with a frequency of 120 Hz than the Redmi K50 Gaming, but loses in autonomy and quality of the selfie camera. And Xiaomi smartphones (for example, Xiaomi 13) generally play in a different league: they have premium materials, better cameras and wireless charging support, which POCO does not have.
⚠️ Attention: If you need a smartphone "for everything" - photography, autonomy, design — POCO It's not always the best choice, but if gaming and multi-tasking are the priority, it's one of the best lines on the market.
Previous PostPrevious POCO models in 2026: what to buy?
In 2026, the POCO range includes several series, each focused on different tasks.
- 📱 POCO F6 Pro – flagship with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, screen 2K AMOLED 120 Hz and charging 120W. Ideal for gamers and demanding users.
- 🎮 POCO F5 — "The Golden Mean with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, 67W charging and good AMOLED-Best choice for price/quality ratio.
- 💰 POCO X6 Pro – budget option with Dimensity 8300-Ultra And 64 MP main camera, suitable for everyday tasks.
- 🔋 POCO M6 Pro is the most affordable smartphone in the series with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and a 5,000mAh battery.
An important nuance: models with the index "Pro" in the name (for example, POCO F6 Pro) often get the best screens and processors, but their price can approach the flagships of Xiaomi. Before buying compare prices - sometimes the difference with the Redmi K70 or Xiaomi 14 is only 5-10 thousand rubles with a significant increase in characteristics.
Make sure the model supports the network 5G your operator|
Check the availability of an official warranty in Russia (some models are sold only through "gray" imports)|
Compare prices in the official Xiaomi store and on marketplaces (the difference can reach 20%)|
Pay attention to the firmware version (Chinese versions may not have Google services)
-->
Myths about POCO: What is true and what is not?
There are a lot of rumors around POCO that are preventing users from making the right choices.
- "POCO is just red-painted Redmi" is partly true. It used to be (e.g., POCO X3 NFC = Redmi Note 9 Pro with a different logo), but since 2022, POCO has been releasing unique models (e.g., the POCO F4 GT has no analogues in the Redmi line).
- “POCO has no updates” is not true. From 2021, POCO will guarantee 2-3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security (like Xiaomi).
- "POCOs break more often than Xiaomi" -- there's no proof. The reliability depends on the model. For example, the POCO F5 Pro has the same body as the Redmi K60, and there are no more complaints about it.
- “POCO is not suitable for photography” – but with reservations: the cameras of POCO are worse than the flagships of Xiaomi or Samsung, but better than most budget smartphones (for example, the POCO X5 shoots as well as the Realme 10 Pro).
Another popular myth is that “POCOs are Chinese smartphones that don’t work in Russia.” In fact, all official models (marked Global or EEA) support Russian, Google services, and local 4G/5G networks. Problems can only arise with “gray” versions from China (for example, without NFC or with other frequency ranges).
How to distinguish the official version of POCO from the “gray” version?
What to look for when choosing POCO?
If you decide to buy a smartphone POCO, consider the following nuances, so as not to be disappointed:
- Firmware version: Buy only Global or EEA (Europe). Chinese versions (CN) do not have Google services and may not support Russian.
- 5G support: Not all POCO models work with Russian carriers, for example, the POCO M5 only supports 4G.
- Budget models (such as the POCO M6) often have a plastic case that turns yellow over time.
- NFC availability: In some regions (e.g. India), POCOs are issued without NFC.
- Guarantee: Official warranty in Russia is valid only on models purchased from authorized sellers (the list is available on the Xiaomi website).
It's also worth checking if the model supports fast charging out of the box. For example, the POCO X5 Pro has 67W support, but the power supply comes with only 33W. You'll have to buy the charging separately.
⚠️ Note: If you are buying POCO For games, look at the touch sampling rate, which can be as low as 120 Hz on budget models, which is worse than 360-720 Hz on flagships like the one on the other. POCO F4 GT.
POCO’s future: What to expect in 2026-2026?
In 2026, POCO continues to grow in the market, but the brand strategy is changing.
- 📈 Abandoning Ultra-Budget Models: POCO gradually abandoning smartphones cheaper than 15 000 ₽, Focusing on the 20,000-40,000 segment ₽.
- 🔄 More unique models: If earlier POCO Often copied by Redmi, now the brand produces exclusive devices (for example, the company is a member of the company, POCO F5 The Pro is unparalleled).
- 🎯 Emphasis on gaming: Output expected POCO F6 GT with physical triggers and improved cooling.
- 📱 Foldable smartphones: Rumor has it, POCO It is preparing its first foldable device based on Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, but with a simplified camera.
We can also expect better support for updates: POCO promises to extend the delivery time of security patches to 4 years for flagship models (now - 3 years).
💡
If you need a POCO smartphone for growth, pay attention to models with Snapdragon 8 or Dimensity 9000 processors – they will remain relevant for at least 3-4 years.