Poco F5/Redmi Note 12 Turbo review

Design and ergonomics

You could say that Xiaomi went for something more catchy with this year's Poco F5. Or at least that's what we see with the White color variant. A shimmery pattern on the back changes like a hologram under the right angle and transitions into icy blue toward the bottom half of the device. It looks nice. But if it's too tacky for you, the other two color options are more formal, so there's something for everyone.

The first thing we noticed about the Poco F5, however, is how light it is. At just 181 grams, the F5 offers a significantly lighter chassis than its predecessor, albeit slightly thicker at 7.9mm. Either way, the F5 is quite comfortable to hold, and the gentle curve on the back makes it a tad more comfortable, while the flat frame helps for a grip more secure.

We also like how Xiaomi went for individual camera rings instead of a whole camera island piece. It looks fresh and different. Also, the camera lenses stick out just a little, so there's no excessive wobbling when placing the F5 on a flat surface.

Going back to the side frame, which, just like the back panel, is made of plastic with a matte finish instead of gloss. It's almost completely flat, except for the slightly rounded edges that meet with the back and front panels. The left side is completely clean, so you will find the volume rocker on the right, along with the power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader.

Poco F5

The bottom is home to the USB-C connector, loudspeaker grille and the SIM card tray, which doesn't have room for a microSD card. At least the top accommodates a 3.5mm audio jack along with the second speaker grille and an IR blaster.

The front is business as usual, and yet, we are impressed with the thin bezels and excellent craftsmanship. The side bezels look ever so slightly thinner than the top and bottom ones. Symmetry seems to have been a priority for the designers. The device looks premium, even from up close - the cutout for the selfie camera is small and unobtrusive, while the edges of the display seamlessly transition into the side frame without creating any unpleasant ridges or protrusions. Of course, the panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 5.

Overall, we really liked the design - it's simple, ergonomic, discreet and lightweight. There's really nothing bad to say about it. And for the asking price, the IP53 certification against dust and splashes is a nice bonus.