Poco C81 debuts in India with 120Hz display and 6,300mAh battery as Poco expands budget smartphone lineup

Poco has strengthened its presence in India’s affordable smartphone market with the launch of the new Poco C81 and Poco C81x. The two devices were introduced on April 23 as part of the company’s refreshed budget portfolio, bringing large displays, high refresh rate screens, sizable batteries, and long term software support to entry level buyers.

Both smartphones are scheduled to go on sale starting April 27 through Flipkart, where they will be available in multiple colour options. With pricing beginning below Rs 10,000, Poco is targeting users who want modern features without moving into the mid range segment.

One of the major highlights of the Poco C81 is its 6.9 inch HD+ display. The screen supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, a feature that remains uncommon in this price category. A higher refresh rate can deliver smoother scrolling, more responsive animations, and an improved day to day viewing experience.

The Poco C81 also includes a 240Hz touch sampling rate, which can help with faster touch response during gaming and general navigation. In addition, the panel reaches up to 800 nits peak brightness, helping visibility in outdoor conditions.

The Poco C81x comes with a slightly smaller 6.88 inch HD+ display. It also supports up to a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, allowing the phone to adjust screen performance depending on the task being performed. Its peak brightness reaches 650 nits.

Both devices carry TV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification, a feature designed to reduce eye strain during prolonged use.

Under the hood, Poco has equipped both models with the octa core Unisoc T7250 processor. The chipset is paired with ARM Mali G57 graphics, aiming to deliver stable everyday performance for browsing, messaging, video streaming, and light gaming.

The Poco C81 and Poco C81x ship with LPDDR4x RAM and 64GB internal storage. Users looking for extra space can expand storage up to 2TB through a microSD card, making the phones suitable for storing photos, videos, apps, and offline media.

This combination positions the phones as practical options for students, first time smartphone users, and budget conscious buyers.

Poco has given the C81 a dual rear camera system led by a 13 megapixel primary sensor, supported by a secondary lens. While the company has not highlighted advanced camera hardware in this segment, the setup is expected to handle casual photography needs.

The Poco C81x uses a simpler single rear camera arrangement with a 13 megapixel sensor.

For selfies and video calls, both smartphones feature an 8 megapixel front camera. They also support video recording at up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, which remains a useful addition for users who frequently create social media clips or attend virtual meetings.

Battery capacity is another major selling point of the new Poco lineup.

The Poco C81 houses a substantial 6,300mAh battery, which may appeal to users seeking extended screen time without frequent charging. Heavy users who stream content, browse social media, or rely on mobile data throughout the day may find this especially useful.

The Poco C81x includes a 5,200mAh battery, still a strong capacity in the entry level category.

Both smartphones support 15W wired charging and also include 7.5W wired reverse charging. This means the devices can be used to charge accessories or another phone in certain situations.

Software longevity has become an important factor for smartphone buyers, and Poco appears to be addressing that concern.

The Poco C81 ships with Android 16 based HyperOS 3. Poco says the device will receive four years of operating system updates and six years of security updates.

The Poco C81x runs Android 15 and is promised two years of operating system updates, along with six years of security support.

Longer update commitments can improve device security and help users keep phones for a longer period without feeling outdated.

Both devices feature side mounted fingerprint sensors for biometric unlocking. This remains a preferred placement for many users because of its speed and convenience.

Poco has also given the phones an IP52 rating for dust and splash resistance, offering basic protection against light exposure to dust and water splashes.

In terms of weight, the Poco C81 weighs 208 grams, while the Poco C81x comes in at 193 grams.

Poco has launched both devices in single variants.

The Poco C81 will be available in:

Ice Blue

Sunset Gold

The Poco C81x will come in:

Ice Blue

Poco sharpens competition in budget smartphone market

With the launch of the C81 series, Poco is reinforcing its strategy of offering feature rich phones at aggressive prices. A 120Hz display, large battery capacities, expandable storage, and long software support can make these models stand out in the crowded sub Rs 11,000 segment.

The Poco C81 appears positioned for buyers who prioritize battery life and smoother display performance, while the Poco C81x offers a more affordable route into the brand’s latest lineup.

As competition intensifies among brands in India’s value smartphone market, Poco’s newest releases could attract users looking for dependable hardware with practical everyday features at accessible pricing.