POCO C61: The online launch event started at noon sharp, but tech forums had been buzzing since dawn. POCO’s latest entry-level offering, the C61, promised to shake up the sub-₹10,000 smartphone segment with specifications that seemed too good for the price. As details emerged, it became clear this wasn’t typical budget compromise but rather thoughtful engineering.

Mumbai-based college student Rohit Sharma refreshed the sale page repeatedly. “My old phone died last week. I was looking at second-hand options when the C61 got announced. At this price with these features, buying used makes no sense anymore. POCO basically killed the refurbished phone market.”

Design Surprises at Entry Level

The C61 breaks away from the cheap plastic feel plaguing budget phones. The back panel uses what POCO calls “Crystal Shield Design” – essentially textured polycarbonate that resists fingerprints while providing decent grip. It won’t fool anyone into thinking it’s glass, but it doesn’t feel embarrassingly cheap either.

Available in Power Black, Forest Green, and Ice Blue variants, each colorway serves different preferences. The black version suits those wanting understated elegance, while the green option adds personality without being garish. The blue variant catches light interestingly, creating subtle shimmer effects that photograph well for social media.

At 8.3mm thickness and 176 grams weight, the C61 feels substantial without being heavy. The curved edges make one-handed usage comfortable despite the 6.52-inch display. Even the camera module shows attention to detail – slightly raised but not protruding enough to make the phone wobble on flat surfaces.

Display Exceeds Budget Expectations

The 6.52-inch HD+ display marks where POCO invested wisely. While resolution stays at standard 720×1600 pixels, the IPS LCD panel delivers surprisingly good colors and viewing angles. The 400 nits brightness won’t win awards, but outdoor visibility remains acceptable under most conditions.

The waterdrop notch feels dated compared to punch-hole designs, but keeps costs down while maximizing screen space. POCO includes blue light filtering that actually works, reducing eye strain during extended usage. The 20:9 aspect ratio makes content consumption comfortable, especially for the YouTube and Netflix generation.

Touch response deserves mention. Despite budget positioning, the screen responds accurately to inputs without requiring firm presses. Gaming becomes genuinely possible, though graphically intensive titles obviously push hardware limits. For everyday scrolling through social media and messaging, the experience feels fluid enough.

Performance Balanced for Real Usage

The MediaTek Helio G36 processor won’t benchmark impressively, but POCO optimized it well. Paired with 4GB RAM (expandable virtually to 8GB), multitasking works better than expected. Apps stay in memory reasonably well, while switching between commonly used applications happens without excessive reloading.

Storage comes in 64GB and 128GB variants, using eMMC 5.1 technology. While not as fast as UFS storage in premium phones, it handles daily tasks adequately. The dedicated microSD slot supporting cards up to 512GB means storage anxiety disappears – crucial for users who capture lots of photos and videos.

MIUI 14 based on Android 13 (Go Edition) runs the show. The lighter Android version ensures smooth operation despite modest hardware. POCO’s customizations add useful features without overwhelming the processor. The interface feels clean, advertisements remain minimal, and bloatware can be uninstalled – addressing common budget phone complaints.

Camera Capabilities Surprise

The dual camera setup includes a 13MP primary sensor and 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting, photos show decent detail and accurate colors. The AI scene detection actually helps rather than over-processing images. Portrait mode works reasonably well, creating pleasant background blur for social media posts.

Low-light performance won’t compete with expensive phones, but the LED flash helps in truly dark conditions. The camera app includes useful modes like time-lapse and slow-motion video, though quality varies. For the target audience upgrading from feature phones or ancient smartphones, the camera feels revolutionary.

The 5MP front camera handles video calls and selfies adequately. Beauty modes exist for those who want them, but can be disabled for natural results. The screen flash feature helps in dim environments, though results vary. Overall, cameras exceed what the price suggests possible.

Battery Life Stands Out

The 5000mAh battery emerges as the C61’s strongest feature. During testing, moderate usage consistently delivered over 36 hours between charges. Heavy users seeing 5-6 hours screen time still ended days with charge remaining. For feature phone upgraders accustomed to multi-day battery life, this feels familiar.

The 10W charging feels slow by modern standards, taking nearly three hours for full charge. However, POCO includes the charger in-box – increasingly rare even in expensive phones. The micro-USB port disappoints in 2024, but keeps costs down while remaining compatible with cables users likely already own.

Power management features help extend endurance further. The ultra battery saver mode disables everything except calls and messages, extending standby time to several days. App battery optimization suggestions actually work, identifying and restricting power-hungry applications effectively.

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POCO C61 Value Proposition Hits Target

Priced at ₹6,999 for the 4GB/64GB variant and ₹7,999 for 4GB/128GB model, the C61 aggressively undercuts competition. Regular flash sales might drop prices further, making it accessible to extremely price-sensitive buyers. EMI options starting from ₹583 monthly make it achievable for students and daily wage earners.

The warranty terms show confidence – standard one-year coverage with six months for accessories. Service center availability through Xiaomi’s network provides peace of mind in smaller cities. Spare part pricing remains reasonable, important for budget-conscious users who repair rather than replace.

Initial sales data shows strong demand from tier-3 and rural markets. First-time smartphone buyers form the primary audience, along with those needing reliable secondary devices. Even urban users purchase it as dedicated phones for children or elderly parents, appreciating the simplicity and battery life.

The POCO C61 proves budget phones needn’t feel like compromises anymore. By focusing on fundamentals – decent display, adequate performance, good battery life – while maintaining aggressive pricing, POCO created something genuinely useful. It won’t excite specification enthusiasts, but for millions needing affordable, reliable smartphones, it’s exactly enough.