Xiaomi is preparing to expand its budget smartphone lineup with the Poco C85, a device clearly aimed at users who want a large screen, strong battery life, and 5G support without spending much. With its official announcement already done and launch scheduled for December 16, 2025, the Poco C85 is shaping up to be a practical entry-level phone rather than a spec-heavy flagship.
What makes the Poco C85 interesting is not just its hardware, but how Xiaomi has balanced price, features, and long-term software support. Let’s take a closer look at the Poco C85 price, specifications, and whether it makes sense in the budget segment
Poco C85 – Top 5 Highlight Features
1. 6.9-inch HD+ Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate
Large screen size with smooth scrolling for daily use and media.
2. MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G Chipset
Efficient 6nm processor with reliable 5G connectivity.
3. 6000mAh Battery with 33W Fast Charging
Long battery life supported by fast wired charging.
4. 50MP Rear Camera
High-resolution main camera for daylight photography and Full HD video.
5. Android 15 with HyperOS 2
Latest Android version with up to two major OS updates.
Poco C85 Price and Availability
The Poco C85 price is expected to start at around ₹11,999 making it one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in Xiaomi’s portfolio. At this price point, Poco is targeting first-time smartphone buyers, students, and users upgrading from older 4G devices.
The phone has been officially announced on December 9, 2025, with sales expected to begin on December 16, 2025. Multiple storage and RAM options will be available, allowing users to choose based on budget and usage needs.
Design and Build Quality
The Poco C85 features a large body with dimensions of 173.2 x 81.1 x 8 mm and weighs 211 grams. While it’s not a compact phone, the slim 8mm thickness helps it feel less bulky than expected for its size.
One notable addition is IP64 dust and water resistance, which is still rare in this price segment. This means the phone can handle splashes and dust exposure, adding an extra layer of durability for everyday use.
Color options include:
- Mystic Purple
- Spring Green
- Power Black
The overall design is simple and functional, focusing more on practicality than flashy aesthetics.
Display: Big Screen, Smooth Experience
The Poco C85 comes with a 6.9-inch IPS LCD display, making it ideal for media consumption, social browsing, and gaming. While the resolution is HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels), Xiaomi has compensated with a 120Hz refresh rate, which improves scrolling smoothness and general UI responsiveness.
With 810 nits peak brightness (HBM), outdoor visibility should be acceptable, especially for a budget device. The large screen-to-body ratio of nearly 82% also enhances the immersive experience.
This display clearly prioritizes size and smoothness over sharpness, which is a reasonable trade-off at the Poco C85 price level.
Also Read — Poco C71 announced with 6.88″ 120Hz display, Android 15, and 5200mAh battery for just ₹6,499
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Poco C85 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, built on a 6nm process. It features:
- 2× Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4GHz
- 6× Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
This chipset is designed for everyday performance, handling tasks like social media, streaming, light gaming, and multitasking without major issues.
The phone runs on Android 15 out of the box, paired with HyperOS 2, and Xiaomi promises up to two major Android updates. This is an important value addition, as long-term software support is often limited in budget smartphones.
RAM and Storage Options
The Poco C85 offers multiple memory configurations:
- 128GB storage with 4GB RAM
- 128GB storage with 6GB RAM
- 128GB storage with 8GB RAM
- 256GB storage with 8GB RAM
Storage is based on UFS 2.2, which ensures faster app loading compared to older eMMC storage. There is also a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing users to expand storage without sacrificing a SIM slot.
Also Read — POCO M7 5G Specifications, Features & Price: The Best Budget 5G Phone in 2025?
Camera Setup: Simple but Functional
The Poco C85 features a 50MP main rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and PDAF support. This sensor is capable of delivering decent photos in good lighting conditions, which is exactly what most users expect in this segment.
Camera features include:
- LED flash
- HDR support
- 1080p video recording at 30fps
On the front, there is an 8MP selfie camera, suitable for video calls, online classes, and casual selfies. Both front and rear cameras support Full HD video recording.
This camera setup is not designed for photography enthusiasts, but it fits well with the Poco C85 price and target audience.
Also Read — Honor X7d Launched: 6.77″ Screen, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, Dual Rear Cameras, 6500mAh Battery
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is one of the strongest points of the Poco C85. It packs a 6000mAh battery, which should easily last more than a day, even with heavy usage.
Charging features include:
- 33W wired fast charging (50% in 28 minutes)
- 10W reverse wired charging
For users who prioritize battery endurance over everything else, the Poco C85 clearly delivers strong value.
Also Read — Realme P4x Review: Best Big-Battery Phone of 2025?
Connectivity and Extra Features
Connectivity options include:
- 5G, 4G LTE, 3G, 2G
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.4
- USB Type-C with OTG support
- FM Radio with recording
It also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which many budget users still appreciate. Security is handled by a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, offering fast and reliable unlocking.
Is Poco C85 Worth Buying?
Considering its large display, smooth 120Hz refresh rate, massive battery, and 5G support, the Poco C85 price makes it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.
It may not offer a Full HD display or advanced camera features, but it delivers where it matters most for its audience: battery life, screen size, performance stability, and software longevity.
If you’re looking for an affordable 5G phone with a big screen and dependable battery life, the Poco C85 is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Hasnain Hasan is the founder and lead writer behind this platform. With over 5 years of hands-on experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down the latest trends, tools, and technologies into easy-to-understand content. A part from writing, Hasnain is actively creating and sharing tech-related content on YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), where he connects with a growing audience of tech enthusiasts and learner

