Looking for a budget phone under ₹7000 ($85) in India that doesn’t feel like a compromise? The POCO C71 might be your answer. Launched in POCO’s wallet-friendly C-series, this 4G smartphone promises big value for small money. As a mobile reviewer with years of hands-on experience, I’ve unboxed and tested the POCO C71 to see if it lives up to the hype. From its massive screen to its decent performance, I’ll explain everything you need to know—pros, cons, and all. Whether you’re a student, a daily commuter, or just someone who needs a reliable phone, this review will help you decide. Let’s dive in!

Unboxing the POCO C71: What’s in the Box?

The POCO C71 comes in that classic yellow POCO box—simple but eye-catching. My unit had some pencil scribbles on it (28 and 27 scratched out), but who cares? Most of us toss the box anyway. Inside, you get the essentials:

• The POCO C71 phone itself.
• A 15W charger (a big win at this price—free in the box!).
• A USB-C to USB-A charging cable.
• A SIM ejector pin.
• Basic documentation.

No fancy case included, but the charger’s presence is a relief when brands like Samsung and Apple skip it even in pricier models. For ₹7000 ($85), this is a solid start.

Design and Build: Premium Vibes on a Budget

First impressions? The POCO C71 looks way better than its price tag suggests. I got the gold variant—subtle, not gaudy—with a half-patterned, half-matte back that feels nice in hand. The camera module has a gold trim, adding a touch of class. At 193 grams, it’s light for its size, and the boxy plastic frame is comfy to hold.

The back has POCO branding, and the IP52 rating means it’s splash- and dust-resistant—handy for India’s monsoons or dusty streets. The 6.88-inch screen dominates the front with a waterdrop notch (not a punch-hole, but no big deal). It’s not super thin, but it doesn’t feel bulky either. For a budget phone, it nails that premium-ish vibe without breaking the bank.

Display: Big and Smooth for the Price

The POCO C71’s 6.88-inch HD+ display is a standout. It’s massive—perfect for watching YouTube, Hotstar, or scrolling X. What’s even better? It’s got a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare under ₹7000 ($85). Scrolling feels silky smooth, and animations pop more than the usual 60Hz or 90Hz screens in this range.

Resolution-wise, it’s HD+ (not Full HD), but colors are vibrant with 70% NTSC coverage. Typical brightness is 450 nits, peaking at 600 nits outdoors—decent for sunny days, though it might struggle in harsh glare. It supports wet-touch tech, so rainy days won’t mess with your swipes. No glass protection is mentioned (like Gorilla Glass), so a screen guard’s a smart buy. For movies and casual use, this screen’s a winner.

Performance: Good Enough for Daily Life

Under the hood, the POCO C71 runs a T7250 processor (12nm). It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s solid for the price. My 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant (extendable to 8GB via virtual RAM) handles everyday stuff well—think WhatsApp, Paytm, and Instagram. There’s also a 6GB + 128GB option if you need more juice.

AnTuTu score? Around 2,65,000—sometimes hitting 3,00,000 in tests. That’s decent for ₹7000 ($85), beating some rivals like the Redmi A3 (around 2,40,000). Geekbench scores are respectable too, with single-core and multi-core numbers that keep basic tasks lag-free. The LPDDR4X RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage aren’t the fastest, but they’re fine for this segment.

Gaming? It’s not a gaming phone. In BGMI, you’re capped at HD/High or Smooth/High settings—about 30 FPS. Casual games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers run smoothly, but don’t expect high-end PUBG action. For students or light users, it’s more than enough.

Software: Clean and Up-to-Date

The POCO C71 ships with Android 15, which is awesome for a budget phone—it’s the latest version in 2025! The UI is close to stock Android, with minimal bloatware compared to some rivals. You’ll spot a few pre-installed apps, but they’re not intrusive. POCO promises 2 years of OS updates and 3–4 years of security patches, so it’ll stay secure till 2028 or beyond.

The interface is snappy, and the side-mounted fingerprint scanner (on the power button) unlocks fast, though the animation’s a bit slow. No major stutters or lag in daily use, making it a clean, reliable experience for budget buyers.

Battery Life: A Day and More

With a 5,200mAh battery, the POCO C71 is built to last. I got over a day of mixed use—calls, videos, social media, and some GPS. For lighter users, it could stretch to two days. The included 15W charger takes about 1.5 hours to fully charge—not blazing fast, but good enough for ₹7000 ($85).

No wireless charging (obviously), but the battery performance is a strong point. It’s perfect for long commutes, college days, or rural areas where power cuts are common.

Camera: Decent for the Price

The POCO C71 has a dual-camera setup: a 32MP main sensor and a depth sensor. In daylight, pics are decent—good dynamic range and okay skin tones, though they’re a bit over-sharpened. It’s fine for WhatsApp or Instagram posts. Indoors, quality drops, but it’s usable with decent light. Portrait mode nails edge detection pretty well.

The 8MP selfie camera is similar—good in bright conditions, average indoors. Both cameras shoot 1080p video at 30 FPS, no stabilization (EIS/OIS), so expect some shake. No slow-motion mode either, but at this price, that’s not a dealbreaker. For casual snaps, it gets the job done.

Extra Features: What You Get

• Triple SIM Tray: Two SIMs + microSD up to 2TB—rare and awesome for storage lovers.
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Wired audio fans rejoice!
• Bluetooth 5.2: Solid connectivity for earbuds or speakers.
• IP52 Rating: Splash and dust resistance—great for India’s weather.
• Up-Firing Speaker: Sound’s okay, but down-firing would’ve been better for videos.

No 5G (it’s 4 G-only), no dual mics, and no Widevine L1 (so HD streaming on Netflix is out). Still, these extras add value for the price.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Pros

• Big 6.88-inch 120Hz display—smooth and vibrant.
• Long-lasting 5,200mAh battery with a free charger.
• Sleek design that feels pricier than ₹7000 ($85).
• Clean Android 15 with decent update support.
• Expandable storage up to 2 TB.

Cons

• 4 G-only—no 5G future-proofing.
• Average camera, especially indoors.
• A unidirectional speaker isn’t ideal for media.
• HD+ display (not Full HD).
• Not built for heavy gaming.

Who’s It For?

The POCO C71 is perfect for:

• Students: Big screen for videos, decent battery for all-day use.
• Budget Buyers: Great value with essentials covered.
• Light Users: Ideal for calls, social media, and casual apps.
• Rural Users: 4G support and splash resistance fit patchy networks and weather.

If you’re a gamer or need 5G, look elsewhere (maybe the Realme Narzo N61). But for basic needs, it shines.

Verdict: Best Under ₹7000 in 2025?

The POCO C71 isn’t perfect, but it’s a champ for ₹7000 ($85). The big 120Hz screen, long battery life, and clean software make it a steal. It’s not a gaming beast or a camera king, and 4G-only might bug some, but for daily use—calls, videos, social media—it’s hard to beat. Compared to rivals like the Redmi A4 or Infinix Smart 9, it holds its own with better design and updates.

Worth it? Yes, if you want a budget phone that punches above its weight. Grab it online (links in video descriptions) and let me know what you think in the comments.

Author Section

Aman Dhingra
Hey, dosto! I’m Aman Dhingra, your go-to guy for honest phone reviews and tech tips. Catch my latest takes and unboxings—don’t forget to follow me!

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