RAG Demo

Tag: Flagship killer

  • Poco F5

    Poco's F-series has always been about flagship-class speed at a lower price, and the Poco F5 continued that tradition when it launched in India in May 2023. It was the first phone with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, a chip derived from the 8+ Gen 1 flagship, and it started at Rs 29,999 for 8 GB and 256 GB.

    In everyday use and gaming the 7+ Gen 2 performs close to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, with good efficiency and thermals. The 6.67-inch flat AMOLED runs at 120 Hz with 12-bit colour and Dolby Vision. Weighing about 181 g, it is unusually light for a 5,000 mAh phone, and it keeps the headphone jack and IR blaster. The 64 MP main camera has OIS and produces decent photos, but camera quality is clearly secondary to speed.

    At launch it went up against the OnePlus Nord 3, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro, the Realme GT Neo 3 and the Samsung Galaxy A54. The Nord 3 had a better main camera and the Galaxy A54 longer updates, but the F5 delivered more performance per rupee than any of them.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 29,999 (base variant)
    India launchMay 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorSnapdragon 7+ Gen 2
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras64 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, MIUI 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP53
    Headphone jackYes
    Weight181 g
    ColoursCarbon Black, Snowstorm White, Electric Blue

    What we like

    • Near-flagship Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 performance
    • Light 181 g design
    • Headphone jack and IR blaster
    • Good 120 Hz AMOLED

    What could be better

    • Average camera system
    • Plastic frame feels less premium
    • Only IP53

    Who should buy it

    Performance-focused buyers who want flagship-class gaming speed for around Rs 30,000.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (May 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Poco F6

    Poco launched the F6 in India in May 2024 at Rs 29,999, and it carried Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a slightly trimmed version of the 8 Gen 3 flagship. That made it one of the cheapest ways to get genuinely flagship-tier performance in India at the time, and it shipped with HyperOS on Android 14.

    The 8s Gen 3 handles demanding games at high frame rates, and Poco's cooling keeps sustained performance stable. The 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED at 120 Hz is bright and sharp. The camera set is simpler than earlier F phones, with a 50 MP Sony LYT-600 main with OIS and an 8 MP ultrawide, and results are good rather than great. The 5,000 mAh battery charges at 90 W, and the phone is slim and light at about 179 g.

    Rivals included the OnePlus Nord 4, the Realme GT 6T, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The GT 6T had a brighter screen, and the Nord 4 a metal unibody, but the Poco F6 had the strongest chip of the group at its price. Its weaker camera is the trade-off.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 29,999 (base variant)
    India launchMay 2024
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1220 x 2712
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8s Gen 3
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera20 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging90W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, HyperOS
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP64
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight179 g
    ColoursBlack, Titanium

    What we like

    • Flagship-tier Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
    • Sharp 1.5K AMOLED
    • 90 W charging
    • Slim and light

    What could be better

    • Camera is only average
    • No headphone jack
    • Promotional apps in HyperOS

    Who should buy it

    Gamers who want the fastest chip available around Rs 30,000.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (May 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • iQOO Neo 9 Pro

    The iQOO Neo 9 Pro launched in India in February 2024 with the previous year's flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offering near-flagship performance well below flagship prices. Its dual-tone vegan leather design in Fiery Red caught attention. It competed directly with the OnePlus 12R, which used the same chip, as well as the Poco X6 Pro and Realme GT 6T.

    The 6.78-inch AMOLED display has a 1260 x 2800 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, delivering sharp visuals and smooth gaming. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance was excellent, and iQOO's Q1 chip improved gaming frame rates. An IP54 rating offered basic protection. Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14 included gaming features, along with preinstalled apps that some users disliked.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX920 main camera with OIS produces good photos, while an 8 MP ultrawide is merely acceptable. The 16 MP selfie camera is average. The 5,160 mAh battery with 120W charging refills very quickly. Against the OnePlus 12R, it was cheaper with similar performance, while the OnePlus offered cleaner software, a larger battery and a slightly better display.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 36,999 (base variant)
    India launchFebruary 2024
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, AMOLED, 144Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX920 main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5160 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP54
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursFiery Red, Conqueror Black

    What we like

    • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at a mid-range price
    • 144Hz AMOLED display
    • 120W fast charging
    • Distinctive vegan leather design

    What could be better

    • Average ultrawide and selfie cameras
    • Only IP54 rating
    • Funtouch OS bloatware

    Who should buy it

    Gamers who want flagship-class performance without paying flagship prices.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (February 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.