Poco C81 and C81x launched in India with 120Hz display, long software support and big batteries

Poco has expanded its affordable smartphone portfolio in India with the launch of the new C81 series, introducing the Poco C81 and Poco C81x. The latest entry level smartphones arrive with features that are increasingly becoming important for budget buyers, including smooth high refresh rate displays, large batteries, modern connectivity options and a long software update promise.

With pricing starting below Rs 10,000, Poco is aiming to strengthen its position in the highly competitive budget smartphone market, where battery life, display quality and long term value often influence buying decisions.

Poco has announced two variants under the new lineup.

Both smartphones will be available for purchase in India through Flipkart. Sales are scheduled to begin from April 27, 2026.

The pricing places the two devices directly in the affordable smartphone category, where users typically look for dependable daily performance, strong battery backup and practical features.

The Poco C81 series focuses heavily on display experience, an area where budget phones often compromise.

The Poco C81x features a 6.88 inch HD+ IPS LCD display with 1600 x 720 pixel resolution. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, which should deliver smoother scrolling, quicker touch response and a more fluid interface experience.

The Poco C81 comes with a slightly larger 6.9 inch HD+ IPS LCD display, giving users more screen space for watching videos, browsing and casual gaming.

A 120Hz refresh rate in this price segment can be a strong selling point, especially for buyers upgrading from older 60Hz devices.

Both smartphones are powered by the UNISOC T7250 chipset, an octa core processor clocked at 1.8GHz and built on a 12nm process. Graphics are handled by the Mali G57 MP1 GPU.

Poco is offering memory configurations with 3GB or 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, depending on the model. Internal storage stands at 64GB UFS 2.2, which is faster than older eMMC storage commonly seen in many low cost phones.

Users who need more space for photos, videos and apps can expand storage by up to 2TB through a microSD card.

This combination should be suitable for calling, messaging, video streaming, social media and light gaming.

One of the standout highlights of the Poco C81 series is software support.

According to the company, both smartphones will receive four years of OS updates and six years of security updates. That is a notable commitment in the entry level smartphone segment, where software support is often limited.

For buyers who keep their devices for several years, long software support can improve value, security and overall ownership experience.

For photography, both models include a 13MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture. The setup also includes a secondary sensor and LED flash.

On the front, users get an 8MP selfie camera with f/2.0 aperture for selfies, video calls and online meetings.

While these phones are not positioned as camera focused devices, the setup should be sufficient for everyday photos, social media sharing and basic video capture.

Battery performance remains one of the most important factors for Indian smartphone buyers, and Poco appears to have focused strongly on this area.

The Poco C81 variant mentioned in the launch details is paired with a larger 6300mAh battery, offering potentially longer usage between charges.

Both devices support 15W fast charging and come with an in box charger. They also support 7.5W reverse charging, allowing users to power accessories or other devices in emergency situations.

For students, travelers and heavy daily users, these large battery capacities may be one of the biggest reasons to consider the series.

Poco has equipped both devices with a solid list of everyday features.

Connectivity options include dual 4G VoLTE, Wi Fi 802.11 ac with 2.4GHz and 5GHz band support, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BDS positioning systems.

Both smartphones also feature a USB Type C port, which is now expected by most buyers.

2. FM radio

3. Bottom firing speaker

4. Side mounted fingerprint scanner

5. IP52 dust and splash resistance rating

These additions make the devices practical choices for users who still value wired audio support and reliable biometric unlocking.

India remains one of the most important markets for affordable smartphones, and brands continue to compete aggressively in the sub Rs 12,000 segment.

With the C81 series, Poco appears to be focusing on a value driven formula: smooth display performance, large batteries, modern software and long term updates at aggressive pricing.

For first time smartphone buyers, students, secondary device users and those upgrading from older budget phones, the Poco C81 and C81x may emerge as attractive options.

The Poco C81 and C81x bring several features that were once rare in the entry level category. A 120Hz display, large batteries, USB Type C, extended software support and expandable storage all strengthen their appeal.

With sales beginning on April 27 through Flipkart, the new Poco C81 series enters the market as a serious contender for buyers seeking maximum value without stretching their budget.