Pocophone F1 long-term review

11 January 2019
A little phone that isn't small. A flagship that costs a third of what you'd expect. A contradiction? No, it's the Pocophone F1. Shocking? Awe-inspiring? Yes and yes. The most intriguing handset of the year isn't the most bezel-starved, or one with sliding bits and pieces, or one with an in-display fingerprint senso

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  • h
  • hnbl
  • pXy
  • 11 Jan 2019

Indeed the google camera app port makes the photos a ton better. Low light pictures especially. Pocophone uses the same Sony sensor as Pixel phones or so i read. It was just poor software i presume from Xiaomi's own camera app. Google it how to do it...it is extremely easy and the results are mindblowing.

I do agree though the huge notch is a downpoint (as with most 2018 phones). Before the last update there was option to "hide notch" in setting but inexplicably they removed it from options. Horrible decision. I installed an app that hides it but it is not so efective. The app is Nacho Notch. Finally, also agree that the chin round bezel and the speakers are downpoints also. The screen is LCD and, thus, not so shiny as OLED...but for me, as with TVs, the risk of burn in in OLEDs is not worth it.

Apart from that....this phone is unbelievably good. Hard to believe it only costs around 300 euros in Europe (i payed 339 for the 128gb version on a physical reputable store where i know will be easy to activate 2 year warranty if needed). The cooling system works great and with a SD845 you can play top games fresh and fast for hours straight!! The battery is amazing. Camera (with google app) is amazing also. This is definitely the deal of 2018 smartphone wise.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • Njy
    • 11 Jan 2019

    Do you know what's worse than notch ?
    Stock android
    Why are you loving this trash ?
    It's really the worst trend in 2018 it was youtubers first who start recommanding stock android and now everyone wants stock android just stop following these idiots stop saying 'oh if it come with stock android it will become great' I'm happy that no company is listening to you
    Custom ui is the only thing that differenciate brands all come with the same design same chipsets same displays... when you I buy samsung I want to feel that it's samsung not just another google phone
    Stock android is a trash

      Google camera port is missing in this review! Its magic. I take better photos compare to almost any new flagship beside pixels and maybe xs. If your considering this phone and have any doubt about camera that maybe its not good enough, actually get a pocophone qnd test it yourself. I was hoping for a mention from gsm.
      Beside that, Im changing from samsungs (2014-2018) and before that apple (2010-2014) and the only thing im missing is samsung oleds and of course that notch makes it even worse. Its seriously ruins the whole android notification system. I feel like im on ios and thats not a good thing. Literaly the only reasons im considering change this early after 3 month.

        • Y
        • Yoga
        • KiR
        • 11 Jan 2019

        The Best Budget Flagship

          • K
          • Kenli
          • vx6
          • 11 Jan 2019

          In regards with performance, Pocophone is one of the best. A great deal for a budget phone. Recommended!

            The Pocophone is undoubtedly a great budget phone. I just don't like it when people refer to it as a flagship. because it just isn't one.

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