Poco X6 Pro
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With three new smartphones launched at the start of the year, Poco, a Xiaomi brand, promises to be in the spotlight in 2024. It also benefits from preferential treatment, since it is the first to benefit from one of Xiaomi’s flagship new features for 2024: HyperOS. The brand’s software, presented at the end of last year in China, must animate both its smartphones and its connected objects, in order to unify their operation. But it had not yet been shown in France, a problem corrected by the arrival of the Poco X6 Pro. Indeed, the two other mobiles announced alongside it must, at their launch, be satisfied with MiUI, and will be updated shortly to HyperOS.
Before looking at its software aspect, let’s note that the X6 Pro assumes Poco’s design identity more than ever. The brand dares to use the bright yellow color applied to a faux leather back, which is pleasant in the hand. The effect is accentuated by a contained weight (190 grams in our imitation leather version), even if the dimensions of the device remain imposing: it still measures 160.45 x 74.34 x 8.25 mm. As is often the case with Poco, we find an IP54 certification which, certainly, does not guarantee complete waterproofing, but gives it splash resistance.
This case contains a screen which we appreciate is that it is Amoled and offers a high definition (1220 x 2712 pixels). If Xiaomi announces a maximum brightness of 1800 nits, we will have to verify this data in the laboratory. The fact remains that upon discovery of the smartphone, it appears as luminous as it is subject to reflections. Its touch sampling at 2160 Hz, associated with a refresh rate varying between 60 and 120 Hz, but also and above all with a promising MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chip, announce interesting gaming performances – all the more notable as the smartphone is announced from €349. Here again, we will have to submit the smartphone to our usual test protocol. The first charging tests that we attempted indicate that the smartphone is capable of refilling its 5000 mAh battery in less than an hour, thanks to its 67 W charger.
On the photo side, its main sensor of 64 megapixels (wide-angle f/1.7) seems suitable in broad daylight, more than an ultra-wide-angle (8 Mpx sensor) of which the first images we took seem to lack piqued. Too bad that the huge back photo block of the smartphone actually hides two usable modules, the third being a simple 2 Mpx sensor associated with macro optics.
The French beginnings of HyperOS
What interests us more, however, is HyperOS. The system is here applied to Android 14 and, as the brand promised during its presentation in China in fall 2023, it has little impact on the device’s storage: count 8.70 GB on this X6 Pro. The idea here is to provide a lightweight system that is quick to execute: the promise seems kept, at least when you get started. Note, however, that almost 20 GB of “system data” must be added to the OS itself, which puts into perspective the little space occupied by HyperOS on the smartphone. In addition, the applications preinstalled on the smartphone are numerous to say the least, even if they can be easily deleted (alternative browsers – Chrome, Mi browser, Opera -, games, music, social network or shopping applications).
To improve the responsiveness of the smartphone and reassure the user, an application called Cleaner is even among the apps highlighted at the bottom of the home screen; In particular, it allows you to clear the cache of certain applications or quickly uninstall those that are never used.
In terms of appearance, there are some new features. Round icons first, which replace the square format of MiUI, and a redesigned shortcuts panel. No less than 16 shortcuts, which can also be modified according to the user’s needs, are available. Xiaomi has chosen to place, without highlighting, the icon referring to the mobile settings, which is awkward. More interesting, a space is dedicated to objects connected to the smartphone: their access is simplified, and that is well seen.
If Xiaomi usually uses scrollable home panels, on this X6 we find an applications drawer activated by default. The latter is divided into tabs allowing you to classify the apps (All, Communication, Entertainment, Photography, Tools, Shopping, etc.) and the search area is permanently accessible at the bottom of the screen. For the rest, HyperOS remains classic: let’s hope to discover a few features hidden here and there in its interface during our test of the Poco X6 Pro, coming soon on The Digitals.