The POCO C-series is known for being the most budget-friendly line from the brand, delivering the essentials without the frills. But the new POCO C85 is turning heads with a spec sheet that looks like it belongs to a much more expensive phone.
With a surprisingly powerful processor, a huge display, and a price that makes you do a double-take, is this the new king of the entry-level segment? Let’s break it down.
Display: When “Budget” Gets a Premium Upgrade
This is the biggest surprise on the POCO C85. For an entry-level phone, it has a massive 6.9-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate.
While the resolution is only HD+, the 120Hz refresh rate makes a world of difference in user experience, making scrolling, swiping, and navigating the UI feel incredibly smooth. The screen also has an HBM (High Brightness Mode) of up to 810 nits, which is bright enough for outdoor use.
Performance: Exceeding Expectations
The POCO C85 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra chipset. While not a top-tier processor, this chipset offers a solid and reliable performance for daily tasks. It can handle social media, web browsing, video streaming, and even some light gaming without breaking a sweat.
It comes with a generous 6GB or 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which is more than enough for most users in this price range. This is a significant step up from the lower-end chips typically found in the C-series.
Camera: Basic but Capable
The camera setup is straightforward but gets the job done. It features a single 50MP main camera on the back and an 8MP front camera for selfies. In good lighting, the 50MP sensor can capture decent, social media-ready photos.
Video recording is capped at 1080p@30fps. As expected for an entry-level device, it lacks the bells and whistles of more expensive phones, but for simple point-and-shoot moments, it’s perfectly capable.
Battery + Charging: A Powerhouse
Battery life is a major strength of the POCO C85. It’s equipped with a massive 6,000mAh battery that can easily last two full days on a single charge.
What’s even more impressive is the inclusion of 33W fast charging, a feature rarely seen in this price segment. You can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in just over an hour, which is a game-changer for a budget device.
Final Verdict: Super Sulit!
Right now, the POCO C85 retails for around ₱5,299 to ₱6,499 on POCO’s official Shopee and Lazada online store. For this price, the phone offers a feature set that is simply unmatched in the entry-level market.
The combination of a massive 6,000mAh battery with fast 33W charging, a large 120Hz display, and a capable processor is an incredible value proposition. POCO has not only met expectations for a budget phone but has exceeded them by including premium features from its more expensive lines.
While the HD+ resolution and basic camera might be a compromise for some, these are minor trade-offs for the overall package. The POCO C85 is a new benchmark for what a budget smartphone can be. For its launch price and its fantastic specs, the POCO C85 is without a doubt a “Super Sulit” device.