Xiaomi Poco X55G

Xiaomi faces tough competition this month, given the remarkable quality of the £300 Motorola Edge 30 Neo . Nonetheless, opting for the Xiaomi Poco X55G holds its own merits, commencing with its expansive 6.7-inch OLED display. Both phones share identical resolutions of 1,080 x 2,400, and while the Poco’s pixel density slightly dips to 395ppi compared to 419ppi, individuals who grapple with reading close-range text might find solace in the additional screen real estate.

Both screens exhibit exceptional quality, encompassing 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with robust color accuracy, although the Poco’s boasts a tad more brightness. Those who indulge in phone-based movie viewing will appreciate the impressive volume emanating from the X5. However, it’s worth noting that we favored the audio quality of the Edge 30 Neo (and the Moto G73), as Xiaomi’s audio handling, for instance, exhibited a harshness in managing cymbal highs.

For those prone to accidents or with a penchant for storing keys alongside phones, the presence of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers an extra layer of scratch resistance. IP53 protection against dust and water ingress adds to the phone’s durability. Similar to the Edge, the Snapdragon 695 5G chip propels the device through Android 13 (already updated from 12) and beyond.

However, Xiaomi’s phone demonstrated a slower performance in our battery of benchmarks, potentially due to the overhead attributed to Xiaomi’s MIUI overlay. Our skepticism lingers regarding the value added by this overlay to the overall user experience, especially as it comes laden with additional apps of questionable utility. Initial moments with the phone might be spent figuring out which apps can be removed.

Gratitude is in order for the substantial 256GB of storage – a 128GB variant of the Poco X5 5G comes at a £50 discount – and a microSD slot. The Poco also gains an upper hand in the camera department, housing a trio of cameras. Furthermore, these numbers translate into image quality, characterized by natural colors and ample detail. Unlike the G73, image compression doesn’t rear its undesirable head upon zooming.

Regrettably, battery life in our video rundown test proved less impressive. It endured a mere 18 hours and 47 minutes, despite accommodating a 5,000mAh battery – almost five hours less than the Moto G73. However, the 33W charger ensures a reasonably swift recharge, hitting 59% in half an hour and reaching full capacity in 65 minutes.

Enthusiasts of larger phones may find favor with the Poco X5, yet it falls short of an award due to the formidable quality of its competitors. However, the occasional flash sales by Xiaomi might lend it a redeeming aspect; with a £50 discount, it presents a solid purchase opportunity.