Xiaomi Pocophone F1

The Xiaomi Poco F1 (also known as the Pocophone) is Xiaomi's answer to the ever growing popularity of OnePlus. Just like the OnePlus, this powerful device has a very competitive price. What advantages Xiaomi offers compared to OnePlus and all other brands is something we will examine here.

Powerful, even under pressure

The Chinese Xiaomi is already known as a price breaker. That's why the Pocophone F1 may seem like a crazy machine. However, what Xiaomi is doing especially well is releasing affordable mid-range devices with premium housing and slick interface. This Pocophone F1 is different because it uses the very best hardware. Think of processor, memory, monitor and cameras. For example, there is a Snapdragon 845 processor inside; in 2018 the most powerful Qualcomm has to offer. Because processors can become hot, Xiaomi has used LiquidCool Technology. In this way it keeps its head cool even at high loads. No slow operation, jerky menu transitions and jammed screens. As far as we're concerned, this means the device lives up to its name and the reference to F1 is not a bluff. And in order not to have to make a pit stop in between, there's a 4000 mAh battery inside. This is considerably more than for example the OnePlus 6. If the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 has to go inside for a change, you can quickly recharge the battery thanks to the Quick Charge 3.0 support.

Main Xiaomi Pocophone F1 specifications

• Large 6.18 inch Full HD+ screen with notch
• Supports Dualsim (hybrid so choose between memory card and 2nd SIM card)
• Choose between 64, 128 or 256GB of storage
• Selfiecam of 20 megapixel large
• Powerful Snapdragon 845 processor with up to 8GB of RAM RAM memory
• High-speed mobile surfing on the go thanks to 4G support
• 12 + 5 megapixel camera with portrait mode and artificial intelligence
• Spectacularly large 4000 mAh battery with fast charge function

Camera with intelligence

The most important function of a smartphone today is not that you can call with it but that it takes good pictures. On paper, the Pocophone F1 does that well. On the back there is a double camera of 12 and 5 megapixel. The 12 megapixel camera has an f/1.9 lens with dual pixel autofocus while the 5 megapixel camera has an f/2.0 lens. In practise, this means that it can still take clear and sharp photos in difficult exposure without flash. A special portrait mode makes convenient use of the dual camera and delivers professional-looking photos. Handy is that the Xiaomi Poco F1 can recognise no less than 206 different scenes and automatically select the right settings. This is all thanks to AI or artificial intelligence. The AI does the rest, so you can concentrate on getting the subject in the picture. Interestingly enough, we find most megapixels; 20. This 4-in-1 Super Pixel camera has an extra large pixel so that extra light is sucked in. As a result, your selfies rarely fall out too dark. And the AI Beautify 4.0 function that we see more often at Xiaomi makes your selfies just that little bit more attractive so you can put them on social media right away.

Kevlar housing, not waterproof

Now that the basics have been covered, we can talk about the currants in the porridge; the little extras that should ensure your choice for the Xiaomi Pocophone F1. There's just a regular headphone jack for your own favourite earbuds, a hybrid Dual SIM lock, face unlocking via safer infra-red, at least 6GB of RAM memory and even 8GB on the 256GB model. The screen sits close to the edge with just a small bar at the bottom. At the top we find the well-known notch where Xiaomi has placed the various sensors and camera. Especially for the occasion, Xiaomi adapted its own EMUI interface to make it faster and smoother. Everything for a powerful experience. In terms of versions, we can't make it impossible not to discuss the Armoured Edition. It has DuPont Kevlar on the back, this material we know from Formula 1 and is lightweight and extremely strong. The distinctive look gives Xiaomi a unique look with which it hopes to distinguish itself sufficiently. It is just a pity that Xiaomi didn't make the housing of the Pocophone F1 waterproof. Something that has become very common today.

Pro and cons Xiaomi Pocophone F1

• Affordable high-end mobile
• Large battery with fast charging
• Borderless screen with notch
• Camera intelligently selects the best settings

• Contrary to the competition, not watertight