In a market saturated with budget phones that often have no real differentiating factor, POCO is trying something different with its latest launch — the POCO C71. As of 12 PM today, April 8, the device is officially on sale via Flipkart, priced aggressively at ₹6,499 for the 4GB/64GB model and ₹7,499 for the 6GB/128GB variant.
What sets the Poco C71 apart is that its carrying specs that we usually don’t associate with this price bracket. But does that make it a game-changer or just a spec sheet pleaser? Let’s dig in.
Poco C71 Display
Arguably the most eye-catching spec here is the 6.88-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s an unusual feature in this price range, where 60Hz is still the norm and 90Hz is a luxury.
While 120Hz sounds impressive, it's worth noting that this is still a basic HD+ panel. Don’t expect ultra-crisp visuals or vibrant color calibration. The higher refresh rate should make scrolling feel smoother, but without a more powerful processor to back it up, it may not translate into a massive real-world performance boost.
There’s also a wet touch feature, which POCO claims helps when using the phone with moist fingers — though we’ll have to wait for hands-on reviews to see how well it works. The inclusion of Triple TUV Rheinland certifications is a nice touch for those concerned about screen time and eye strain, but again, it’s more of a bonus than a dealmaker.
Poco C71 Design
Visually, POCO has done some decent work here. The C71 has a dual-tone finish with a golden ring around the rear cameras and a textured back, which adds some grip and breaks the monotony.
At 8.26mm thick, it’s fairly slim for the battery size, and it comes in Desert Gold, Cool Blue, and Power Black. It may not win design awards, but it avoids looking cheap — which is already a win in this segment.
Poco C71 Performance
The C71 runs on an unnamed octa-core processor, paired with up to 6GB of RAM, plus 6GB of virtual RAM. POCO is calling it “12GB Dynamic RAM,” but realistically, that virtual RAM isn’t going to drastically improve speed — it’s more of a multitasking buffer.
Still, for basic tasks like messaging, video streaming, and app switching, this combo should hold up reasonably well. Power users or gamers should temper expectations, though.
Poco C71 Battery & charging
A 5200mAh battery powers the phone, supported by 15W charging. That’s pretty standard in this segment and should comfortably get most users through a full day — maybe even more, depending on usage.
Poco C71 Camera
On paper, the 32MP dual camera system seems impressive. POCO’s also throwing in film filters and night mode, which suggests they’re at least trying to go beyond basic point-and-shoot functionality. Of course, expectations should remain grounded — but even if the camera performs at a fraction of what it promises, it’s still a win.
Poco C71 Software
Running on Android 15 out of the box, the C71 also comes with a surprisingly generous two major OS updates and four years of security patches. That’s rare for phones in this tier and could make it a more future-proof buy — especially for first-time smartphone users or those looking for a secondary device.
Final Verdict
The POCO C71 is aiming to bring a premium experience to a budget audience, and while not every feature will live up to the marketing hype, the overall package is hard to ignore. A 120Hz screen, big battery, clean Android, and long-term support — all under ₹7,000 — make it a standout in the entry-level crowd.
It’s not without trade-offs, but if you’re looking for a phone that offers more than the usual bare minimum at this price, the C71 is worth a closer look.
