The budget 5G segment in India (the sub-₹15,000 category) has always been a game of trade-offs. You get 5G, but the camera is bad. You get a good battery, but the screen is a slow 60Hz. POCO, with its new POCO C85 5G, is trying to end that trade-off game entirely.
Launched with an aggressive starting price of ₹11,999 for the 4GB/128GB variant (and a launch offer that often dips it below ₹11,000), the C85 5G is not just chasing specs; it’s chasing the features that Indian consumers demand most: Battery, Big Screen, and Smoothness.
I’ve been testing this phone for a full week, treating it like a college student’s daily driver—heavy YouTube streaming, non-stop BGMI sessions, and constant social media scrolling. The real question is: Can a budget phone deliver a premium feel, or is the Dimensity 6300 chipset the weak link? Let’s dive deep..
Quick Specs Table: The Features POCO is Bragging About
| Feature | POCO C85 5G (4GB/128GB) |
| Price (Introductory) | ₹11,999 |
| Display | 6.9-inch IPS LCD, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, HD+ (720×1600) |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) |
| RAM/Storage | 4GB LPDDR4X / 128GB UFS 2.2 (Expandable up to 1TB) |
| Battery | 6,000mAh Li-Polymer |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging (50% in 28 minutes) |
| Main Camera | 50MP AI Dual Camera (f/1.8) |
| Front Camera | 8MP Wide Angle |
| OS | HyperOS 2 (Based on Android 15) |
| Durability | IP64 Dust and Splash Resistance |
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Design & Build: Bold, Big, and Budget-Friendly
POCO has stuck with its signature design language—a large, bold camera module that stretches across the back.
- Build Material: The C85 5G uses a polycarbonate (plastic) body and frame. While this is expected at this price point, the matte finish on the back (especially the ‘Power Black’ variant) is surprisingly good at resisting fingerprints.
- In-Hand Feel: At 211 grams and 7.9mm thick, this is a substantial phone. The sheer size of the 6.9-inch display makes it a two-handed device. If you have small hands or prefer a compact phone, don’t waste your money on this—you will struggle.
- The Big Plus: The inclusion of an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance is fantastic at this price. It means a sudden downpour or an accidental spill won’t instantly kill your phone, giving you peace of mind. Plus, the classic 3.5mm headphone jack is still alive and well here.
Display & Visuals: Size Over Resolution
The 6.9-inch screen is the biggest selling point and the biggest trade-off.
- Size & Refresh Rate: The screen is HUGE, making it a dream for binge-watching. The 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate keeps the UI buttery smooth—scrolling through Twitter or the app drawer feels premium.
- The Catch (HD+ Resolution): The real truth is, to keep the price down while giving you 120Hz, POCO opted for an HD+ resolution (720p). On a 6.9-inch panel, you can notice the lack of sharpness if you look closely, especially next to a Full HD+ phone.
- Brightness Test: The phone offers a peak brightness of 810 nits (HBM). Under direct afternoon sunlight, the screen is just visible. You will need to find some shade for comfortable reading, but for indoor viewing and night time scrolling, it’s more than sufficient, especially with the TÜV Rheinland eye-care certifications.
Performance & Gaming/Usage: The Dimensity 6300 Test
The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) is a new chipset in the budget segment, offering a decent leap over the older 6000-series processors.
- Benchmark: The POCO C85 5G scores around 450,000+ on the AnTuTu v10 benchmark. This is a very respectable score for a phone under ₹12,000.
- Daily Usage: Multitasking is smooth, but only if you stick to the 6GB or 8GB RAM variants. The base 4GB variant struggles a bit when switching between 5-6 apps, as the slower UFS 2.2 storage can’t keep up with the HyperOS memory management.
- Gaming:
- BGMI: Runs smoothly at HD/High or Smooth/Extreme (60 FPS) settings. I played for an hour and noticed only mild warming—the large body helps with heat dissipation.
- Asphalt 9: Runs well on “High” graphics with occasional frame drops only during chaotic crash sequences.
The Bottom Line: This is an excellent processor for the price. If you are a casual gamer or a heavy social media user, this chipset gives you snappy, stable performance.
Camera: The 50MP AI Dual Camera
POCO highlights the 50MP primary sensor, but as always in this segment, hardware is only half the story.
- Daylight Performance: The 50MP camera (which outputs 12.5MP photos by default) is good. Colors are slightly oversaturated (the classic POCO/Xiaomi look) but they are social media ready. The detail is sharp, especially in bright, outdoor light.
- Low Light/Night Mode: This is where the budget shows. Night Mode tries hard, but the image is often soft, lacking fine detail, and can struggle with light flares. Don’t buy it expecting great night photography.
- The Secondary Lens: The second lens is a basic QVGA camera, which is essentially there just to fill the “dual camera” spec sheet. It does little to help the overall imaging.
- Selfie (8MP): The 8MP front camera is adequate for video calls and basic selfies, but like the main camera, it struggles heavily in indoor or low-light conditions.
Battery & Endurance: The Marathon Runner
The 6,000mAh battery is, without a doubt, the single best reason to buy the POCO C85 5G.
- Screen-On Time: In my heavy usage test (3 hours of video, 1 hour of gaming, 4 hours of scrolling/calls), the phone easily delivered over 8.5 hours of Screen-On Time. For a normal user, this is a solid two-day battery life.
- Charging Test: The 33W fast charging is a good speed for this price point, but a 6,000mAh cell takes time to fill up.
- 0% to 50%: Takes approximately 28 minutes.
- 0% to 100%: Takes about 78 minutes (1 hour 18 minutes).
- Reverse Charging: The 10W wired reverse charging is a handy feature. In a pinch, your phone can charge your TWS earbuds or a friend’s small device.
The Competition: POCO C85 5G vs. Redmi 15C 5G vs. Moto G57 Power
The C85 5G is fighting in the most cut-throat segment. Its two biggest rivals are the ones that have cracked the same battery/5G code.
| Feature | POCO C85 5G | Redmi 15C 5G | Moto G57 Power |
| Price (4GB/128GB) | ₹11,999 | ₹12,499 | ₹11,499 |
| Display Size/Type | 6.9″ 120Hz HD+ IPS | 6.7″ 90Hz FHD+ IPS | 6.7″ 90Hz FHD+ AMOLED |
| Processor | Dimensity 6300 | Dimensity 6100+ | Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 |
| Battery | 6,000mAh | 5,500mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Charging | 33W | 33W | 50W 🏆 |
| Software | HyperOS 2 (Android 15) | MIUI (Android 14) | Near-Stock Android 15 |
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The Winner:
- For Performance & Battery Life: The POCO C85 5G is the clear winner. The slightly better Dimensity 6300 combined with the massive 6,000mAh battery makes it an endurance champion.
- For Screen Quality: The Moto G57 Power wins with its superior FHD+ AMOLED panel, but you sacrifice battery size for it.
Read more :OnePlus 15R
Final Verdict
The POCO C85 5G makes one major, forgivable compromise (HD+ screen) to deliver three major wins (Battery, 120Hz, and a powerful Dimensity 6300 chip). It’s the ultimate budget entertainment machine.
Buy it if:
- You are a heavy user who needs two-day battery life. The 6,000mAh cell is phenomenal.
- You prioritize a smooth scrolling and gaming experience—the 120Hz refresh rate is excellent at this price.
- Your main usage is streaming, reading, and light gaming, where the big screen is an advantage.
Skip it if:
- You need the sharpest screen possible. The HD+ resolution on 6.9 inches might annoy you.
- You are a serious photographer. The camera is average at best and struggles in low light.
- You prefer a compact phone. This device is large and heavy.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q: Does the POCO C85 5G come with a charger in the box?
A: Yes, the POCO C85 5G includes the 33W fast charging adapter and a USB Type-C cable inside the retail box, unlike many other budget phones.
Q: What is the benefit of the Dimensity 6300 processor?
A: The Dimensity 6300 is a powerful 6nm 5G chipset. It provides stable and efficient performance, enabling the 120Hz display to run smoothly without draining the 6,000mAh battery too quickly.
Q: Does the POCO C85 5G have an AMOLED display?
A: No, the POCO C85 5G features a large 6.9-inch IPS LCD panel. It is compensated by a fast 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness, but it is not AMOLED.
Q: Does the POCO C85 5G support a separate memory card slot?
A: Yes, the POCO C85 5G features a dedicated microSD card slot alongside the dual SIM slots, allowing for storage expansion up to 1TB.
Q: What is the HyperOS 2.2 software experience like?
A: Hyper OS 2.2 (based on Android 15) is relatively clean and optimized on the C85 5G, offering better performance and less pre-installed clutter than earlier versions of MIUI.