Xiaomi's Poco C81 Pro: A 6.9-Inch Smartphone for Under $100 with a 6,000 mAh Battery

Key facts

• Poco C81 Pro starts at $99 (about 7,400 rubles) for the 4/64 GB version.
• It features a 6.9-inch IPS LCD display with HD+ resolution (1600x720) and 120 Hz refresh rate.
• The phone is powered by a Unisoc T7250 processor (12 nm, octa-core) and 4 GB LPDDR4X RAM.
• Battery capacity is 6,000 mAh with 15 W charging; uses silicon-carbon technology.
• Storage options: 64/128/256 GB UFS 2.2, expandable via microSD.
• Cameras: 13 MP rear (plus unspecified secondary sensor) and 8 MP front.
• Runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 15 (some sources say Android 16).
• Available in black, gold, and green; dimensions 171.56 x 79.47 x 8.15 mm, weight 208 g.

A Budget Phone That Defies Expectations

Xiaomi has unveiled the Poco C81 Pro, a smartphone that packs a 6.9-inch display and a 6,000 mAh battery into a device priced below $100. The launch comes amid a global memory chip shortage that has driven up costs across the electronics industry, making the aggressive pricing all the more striking. The phone is the global variant of the Redmi A7 Pro and is aimed at users who need a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. With its large screen and long battery life, it positions itself as a media consumption device for budget-conscious consumers.

Core Specifications and Performance

At the heart of the Poco C81 Pro lies the Unisoc T7250, an octa-core processor built on a 12 nm process. It features two Cortex-A75 performance cores clocked at 1.82 GHz and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at the same frequency. The chipset is paired with 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which can be virtually expanded up to 8 GB using storage space. Storage options include 64, 128, or 256 GB of UFS 2.2 flash memory, with a microSD slot for further expansion. The phone scores approximately 333,000 points in AnTuTu 11 and 1,300 points in GeekBench 6's multi-core test. While not a powerhouse, it is sufficient for everyday tasks and light gaming.

Display and Battery: The Standout Features

The Poco C81 Pro's 6.9-inch IPS LCD display offers a resolution of 1600x720 pixels (HD+) and a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling. Peak brightness reaches 650 nits (800 nits in high-brightness mode), and the screen supports DC Dimming and TÜV Rheinland certification for reduced blue light and flicker-free viewing. The 6,000 mAh battery uses silicon-carbon technology, which offers higher capacity than traditional lithium-ion cells of similar size. Xiaomi claims the phone can last over two days of typical use, deliver more than 19 hours of video playback, and sustain over 46 hours of talk time. Charging is limited to 15 W via USB-C, taking several hours for a full charge, but the battery retains over 80% capacity after 1,000 cycles.

Camera and Software

The rear camera setup consists of a 13 MP main sensor and an additional unspecified sensor, while the front-facing camera is an 8 MP unit housed in a waterdrop notch. Xiaomi has not disclosed the specifications of the secondary rear camera. The device ships with HyperOS 3, Xiaomi's custom interface based on indicate that the software may be built on Android 16. HyperOS 3 includes AI features and integration with Google Gemini. The phone also supports NFC for contactless payments, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, dual SIM slots, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and stereo speakers with volume boost up to 200%.

Pricing and Availability

The Poco C81 Pro is available globally in three configurations: 4/64 GB for $99 (approximately 7,400 rubles), 4/128 GB for $109 (8,240 rubles), and 4/256 GB for $129 (9,740 rubles). The phone comes in black, gold, and green color options. Xiaomi's decision to launch such an affordable device during a memory chip crisis underscores its commitment to the budget segment. The company had previously signaled price increases, but the Poco C81 Pro bucks that trend, offering features typically found in more expensive models at a fraction of the cost.

Market Impact and Outlook

The Poco C81 Pro challenges the notion that budget phones must compromise on display size and battery life. Its 6.9-inch screen rivals that of premium devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while its battery capacity exceeds the 5,000 mAh standard for affordable Android phones. However, compromises are evident: the HD+ resolution on a large screen may appear less sharp, and the 15 W charging is slow by modern standards. The use of an older processor and the absence of fast charging are trade-offs for the low price. Still, for users prioritizing battery life and screen real estate over raw performance, the Poco C81 Pro presents a compelling option.

The bottom line

• The Poco C81 Pro offers a 6.9-inch 120 Hz display and 6,000 mAh battery starting at $99.
• It uses a Unisoc T7250 processor with 4 GB RAM and up to 256 GB storage.
• The phone runs HyperOS 3 based on Android 15 (or 16) and includes NFC and a headphone jack.
• Battery life exceeds two days of typical use, but charging is limited to 15 W.
• The device is a global version of the Redmi A7 Pro, targeting budget-conscious users.
• Xiaomi's pricing defies industry trends of rising costs due to memory chip shortages.