Pocophone F1 Complete Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Design and Build Quality

The Xiaomi Pocophone F1, released in August 2018, stands out with its robust build and sleek design. Despite its mid-range pricing, the device boasts a premium feel with its Gorilla Glass front, although the back and frame are made of plastic. The dimensions of the phone measure 155.5 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm, ensuring a comfortable grip and ease of use compared to larger, bulkier models.

The phone weighs in at 182 grams, which contributes to its solid yet manageable heft. The hybrid dual SIM option is a bonus for those needing to balance work and personal life or travel frequently. The device is available in several colors, including Graphite Black, Steel Blue, Rosso Red, and an Armored Edition with Kevlar, offering various aesthetic choices to cater to different tastes.

Display Features

The Pocophone F1 features a sizable 6.18-inch IPS LCD screen, which holds up well with its 1080 x 2246 pixels resolution, offering a pixel density of approximately 403 ppi. This screen-to-body ratio of around 82.2% ensures vibrant and sharp display quality, whether for browsing, gaming, or media consumption. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, the display is resilient against minor scratches and impacts, enhancing the phone's durability.

The display contrasts ratio clocks in at 1468:1 (nominal) and provides a sunlight contrast ratio of 3.059, making it reasonably good for outdoor visibility. This feature, combined with the phone's vivid colors and bright display, certainly enriches the viewing experience.

Performance and Hardware

The heart of the Pocophone F1 is the Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 chipset, a high-performance CPU designed to ensure smooth operation and enhanced user experience. Sporting an octa-core processor (4x2.8 GHz Kryo 385 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 385 Silver) and an Adreno 630 GPU, this phone delivers exceptional performance for its class.

The AnTuTu benchmark scores a notable 265314 (v7), while the GeekBench score comes at 9003 (v4.4), demonstrating its capable processing power. The GFXBench result of 31fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) also indicates a robust GPU performance, ideal for gaming enthusiasts.

Operating System and Software

Out of the box, the Pocophone F1 runs on Android 8.1 (Oreo), and is upgradable to Android 10, complemented by Xiaomi's MIUI 12 interface. This combination ensures a user-friendly experience, with the MIUI providing additional customization options and features that enhance functionality.

The frequent updates ensure security improvements and introduction of new features, catering to users who look forward to a versatile Android experience. However, the MIUI skin may present some learning curve for users not accustomed to its design, though it offers substantial benefits once mastered.

Storage and Memory

The device comes in multiple configurations: 64GB with 6GB RAM, 128GB with 6GB RAM, and a top-tier 256GB with 8GB RAM. These options cater to a wide range of user needs, from moderate to heavy storage demands. The presence of a microSDXC card slot, although using the shared SIM slot, allows for expandable storage, providing flexibility for users to increase storage capacity beyond internal limits.

Camera Capabilities

The Pocophone F1 is equipped with a dual rear camera setup, featuring a 12 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP depth sensor. The primary camera, with an f/1.9 aperture and dual pixel PDAF, captures images with substantial detail and light, even in challenging conditions. Its features include Dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama, enhancing its versatility in various shooting scenarios.

The camera captures video at 4K resolution up to 60fps and offers 1080p recording with gyro-EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) for smoother footage. Additionally, slow-motion enthusiasts can enjoy 1080p at 240fps and 720p at a remarkable 960fps.

On the front, the 20 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture caters to capturing vivid selfies and video at 1080p, enriched with HDR for enhanced dynamic range.

Battery Life

Housing a non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery, the Pocophone F1 offers impressive endurance, boasting a rating of 94 hours. This capacity provides ample life even for intensive tasks and long hours of use without requiring frequent charging. The device supports 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 3.0, promising a reasonably quick recharge time.

Sound and Connectivity

The device features dual stereo speakers, enhancing its audio output for an immersive sound experience during media playback. A 3.5mm headphone jack remains a valued addition for many users, providing convenient connection for various audio accessories.

Connectivity is well-covered with features like Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD for high-quality wireless audio, GPS with GLONASS and BDS for accurate location services, FM radio with recording capability, and USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support.

Additional Features

Security and convenience are effectively addressed with the inclusion of an infrared Face ID for facial recognition, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, as well as accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass sensors, adding to the device's functionality and user experience.

However, the absence of NFC might be a drawback for users relying on contactless payment systems. Still, the diverse connectivity and sensory features round off the device's impressive capabilities.

Pricing and Availability

Since its release, the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 has been valued for its high-performance at a competitive price, priced around 360 EUR at launch. Its availability across various markets has made it a popular choice for users looking for solid features without breaking the bank.

Overall, the Pocophone F1 remains a quintessential example of excellent value for money in the smartphone market, successfully balancing performance, design, and affordability.