Xiaomi Poco C31 Review, Pros and Cons – The Poco phone is known for its exceptional performance, and most users buy this phone for gaming purposes only, as most of the hardware has improved processing speed. So you won’t have any game problems. However, the same cannot be said about the Xiaomi Poco C31, as it targets the entry-level market, while daily use is the main need of users. The phone was launched in September 2021 in the Indian smartphone market.
Furthermore, the company designs the Poco C31 phone in such a way that it cut several corners to make the Poco C31 affordable. Furthermore, the phone looks like the successor to the Poco C3, which was also an inexpensive device. Inside this phone, you will get a decent level pixel density screen, sufficient processing power, and long battery life. Let’s start with a detailed review of the Xiaomi Poco C31 smartphone.
Table of Contents
Xiaomi Poco C31 Review
Highlights
- The device is accompanied by a 6.53 inches IPS LCD panel which features HD+ resolution.
- As far as the hardware section is concerned, everything is handled via the basic 12nm Helio P35 chipset.
- Furthermore, Xiaomi Poco C31 exclusively offers a clean UI experience with the old Android 10 operating system.
- Camera board includes a triple camera that pushes its way through the 13MP main camera with a 5MP selfie camera.
- Under the hood, the massive 5000 mAh battery provides ample support and offers a 10W charger.
Design and Display
The two-tone design isn’t very common on Poco phones, but somehow the phone gives it a Xiaomi Poco M3 vibe. Although the design aspects are different for the two phones. But still, the combination of glossy and matte finish looks great on the Poco C31, which was missing in the Poco C3, and now, the company has improved it.
On the other hand, you’ll get a body constructed of polycarbonate that features a triple squircle camera setup on the back panel. Even though the phone looks cheap in overall design, it’s worth noting that the company managed the weight ratio accurately. With this built-in, the phone reaches up to 9mm thick and handles a weight of 193 grams, while the fingerprint reader is present on the rear panel as expected.
Also, you can check color options like Royal Blue and Shadow Gray to choose the best option according to your desire. As for the front screen, the 6.53-inches IPS LCD ensures HD+ resolution, while dark mode features are also enabled. Furthermore, the front bezels are very thin and the SIM port is sealed with a rubber seal. Although, you won’t get Corning glass protection here.
Memory and Internal
The performance level can be similar to the Oppo A16K which arrives in the same entry-level segment. After that, the Poco C31 phone also won the Helio G35 chipset that works very well in everyday life, and you won’t have any problems playing lite games. But the heating issues may appear on multitasking. Everything works perfectly as the processing speed reaches up to 4x 2.3GHz of cloaking speed.
This processing power can even defeat some affordable 5G devices like the Nokia G300. Surprisingly, the phone has similarities to Nokia phones, as on the sales page, the company said that you are providing the Clean Android 10 UI. In short, you won’t get any bloatware or adware in the Android ecosystem, which is great if you’re buying a basic phone.
Customization features may be out of date due to this, but overall it makes the UI experience great. On the other hand, RAM support ranges from 3GB / 4GB, while you can choose internal storage support from 32GB to 64GB. Furthermore, it is confirmed that the Poco C31 offers an eMMC 5.1 memory type. Plus, you’ll also get additional help from the dedicated MicroSD slot that will expand your storage space up to 512GB.
Camera
The camera’s processing might not be at the average level like the Redmi Note 10. But still, the phone offers AI software that you can get in the input segment range. While this doesn’t mean that everything is fine in the camera setup, you’ll still get smooth shots and edge detection in portrait mode is normal as usual. Fortunately, the color saturation is good enough to provide some part of the dynamic range.
As for the specs, you’re getting a 13MP main camera, which you’ll also notice the LED flash on. Plus there’s also the useless duo of 2MP macro and 2MP depth. They are nothing more than showing the number of lenses. On the other hand, the selfies section includes a standard 5MP lens that captures common photos and videos. As for the main camera, you can record videos up to 1080p without any problem.
But there is no room for stabilization mode. In terms of daytime photography, you will get a decent result. However, the same thing doesn’t apply in low light as the object is difficult to find, and edge detection and color rendering did not work accurately in night shots. Luckily, you’re getting the default camera app that offers lots of filters, features, and modes. But that’s not enough for you; you can also download Gcam for Xiaomi Poco C31.
Battery and Others
Now, go to the battery section, which is pretty straight to the point. You’re getting a colossal-sized 5000 mAh battery that will remain active for more than 8 hours after simultaneous use. In addition, you can also squeeze two and a half hours for light gaming with this battery. Manufacturers then also insert a 10W charger inside the box. Therefore, the battery will be replenished in less than two hours.
In contrast, the phone offers an outdated micro USB 2.0 port. As for additional features, you’ll get speakers with decent sound output, a noise-canceling microphone, all kinds of sensors, and a 3.5mm jack except the missing compass sensor. Speaking of price tag, the Xiaomi Poco C31 will come in at a cost of $120 (Rs 8,599) approx. The specifications and features present in this phone offer a great deal with added value.
Xiaomi Poco C31 Specifications Detail
Down below you can see the full specifications of the Xiaomi Poco C31 smartphone.
Specifications | Xiaomi Poco C31 |
Network | 2G, 3G, 4G |
Announced | September 2021 |
SIM | Dual SIM |
Dimensions | 6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 inches |
Weight | 194 g |
Size | 6.53 inches |
Display | IPS LCD 20:9 ratio ~269 PPI density |
Protection | No |
Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels |
OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
Chipset | 12 nm – MediaTek Helio G35 |
CPU | Octa-core 4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
GPU | PowerVR GE8320 |
Card slot | Yes (dedicated slot) |
RAM | 3GB, 4GB |
Internal | 32GB, 64GB eMMC 5.1 |
Camera | 13 MP (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) 2 MP (depth) LED flash, HDR Max – 1080p@30fps |
Selfie | 5 MP (wide) HDR Max – 1080p@30fps |
Loudspeaker | Yes |
3.5mm jack | Yes |
WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
NFC | No |
Infrared port | No |
Radio | Yes |
USB | micro-USB 2.0, USB On-The-Go |
Sensors | Rear-mounted fingerprint, accelerometer, proximity |
Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh Charging 10W |
Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Grey |
Expected Price | $120 (Rs 8,599) Approx. |
Xiaomi Poco C31 Pros and Cons
Down below you can see the list of pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages) of the Xiaomi Poco C31 smartphone.
Pros
- Huge 5000 mAh battery support.
- MIUI 12 custom UI support.
- The processor manages daily tasks easily.
- Rear-mounted fingerprint reader.
- Dedicated secondary storage unit.
- Decent photos and videos in daylight.
- Beautiful dual-tone design layout.
Cons
- Without any gorilla glass protection.
- Display of standard 60Hz refresh rate.
- Not for the high-end gaming experience.
- Charging the phone will take some time.
- Below average selfie camera setting.
- Not for high end gaming.
- Without NFC support.
- 720p resolution display.
Conclusion
The overall value of the Xiaomi Poco C31 smartphone is quite extraordinary as you won’t get some of the fabulous features even on the mid-range device. Whether you’re looking for rugged performance or huge battery life, the phone has it all for you. Like its Poco C3 predecessor, this device is unique at the entry-level as it has several unique features.
However, that doesn’t mean the phone has issues or glitches. You still won’t have a decent camera experience, nor is the screen as excellent. But that’s all negligible if you’re considering a basic phone. We highly recommend the Xiaomi Poco C31 for its excellent value. But if you are looking for an alternative option, you can check Infinix Hot 11 smartphone.