Initial verdict: While there aren’t a lot of changes from the X3 GT to the POCO X4 GT, POCO’s new mid-range offering is poised to slay the mid-range market thanks to its powerful Dimensity 8100 processor that other devices in its price range struggle to match.

Pros

• Flagship-like Dimensity 8100 processor
• High refresh rate

Cons

• Only an IPS display
• More expensive than the X3 GT

POCO X4 GT Philippines Specs

• Dimensity 8100 processor
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage
• 6.6-inch Full HD+ IPS display, 144hz variable refresh rate
• 64-megapixel f/1.75 ISOCELL GW1 main camera with PDAF, 8-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, 2-megapixel macro camera
• 16-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera
• 4G, 5G
• WiFi, Bluetooth 5.1, side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• IP53 rating
• 5080mAh battery
• 67w wired charging
• Android 12, MIUI 13

Despite being overshadowed by the F3, the POCO X3 GT was a mid-range monster thanks to its Dimensity 1100 processor when it was released last year. And while the changes in its successor, the X4 GT, take a more iterative turn, its powerful Dimensity 8100 processor puts it in a fairly unique position compared to the competition. The POCO X4 GT might just be the mid-range phone to beat in 2022.

Unboxing and packaging contents

Like its predecessor, POCO kept the black box on the X4 GT. Yellow is used for the bold POCO branding on top of the box, along with an emphasis that it is 5G-ready. Inside the box, you have the phone itself, documentation, silicone case, screen protector, USB-C cable, and a 67w charger.

Design

Unlike its predecessor, the POCO X4 GT has flat sides for its plastic frame, while a 2.5D-shaped rear panel makes it appear to be as thick as the X3 GT. The camera module on the X4 GT has a cleaner look compared to last year’s offering, though the two-step design makes the camera module protrude from the body a fair bit, enough that you’d want to use the included silicone case to protect it from bumps and scratches. Unfortunately, even with the included case, the X4 GT does not lie flat on the table.

The button and port layout of the X4 GT is similar to its predecessor, though we’re thankful to see the headphone jack make its return on top of the phone beside one of the loudspeakers. The SIM card tray is relocated to the bottom, giving the X4 GT a more premium look than the X3 GT.

Display

You still get a 6.6-inch Full HD+ IPS display on the POCO X4 GT, though the refresh rate gets a bump at 144hz. Considering that the POCO X4 GT is more expensive, with the 256GB variant priced close to Php 20k, POCO should have really used an AMOLED panel with a slightly lower refresh rate VS using an IPS one at this price range. This high of a refresh rate is usually overkill since Android games can’t utilize it properly (with most of them topping out at 60Hz), and we’d gladly trade a better-looking display with more accurate colors VS having a panel that has an insanely high refresh rate.

That being said, the display on the POCO X4 GT does have some nice features on it, specifically, Widevine L1 for full HD Netflix viewing, as well as HDR10 and Dolby Vision capabilities.

Cameras

Unlike the display, POCO went for a safe route with the cameras, as the X4 GT uses the same front and rear cameras used on the X3 GT. We were fine with the camera setup found on the X3 GT, and the use of a Dimensity 8100 processor on the X4 GT should translate to better image quality–at least on paper.

We took a few snaps with the X4 GT during our initial time with it, and the photos we got using the main camera are generally good with daylight and mixed lighting conditions, while the ultra-wide-angle camera loses out in sharpness due to hardware limitations.

Like its predecessor, the X4 GT can shoot up to 4K30 video, and support Steady Video at 1080p30.

Internals

The POCO X4 GT’s biggest ace is its use of a Dimensity 8100 processor, which is a much-talked mid-range processor from MediaTek for reports that it can go head-to-head with Qualcomm’s previous-generation flagship chips.

We did initial benchmarks with the POCO X4 GT, and we’re very impressed at how it floored the competition in the Php 15k to 20k segment, and that it can actually match flagship phones in raw performance. We will still do more tests with the POCO X4 GT that includes heavy gaming, so watch out for our final say in our full review.

The X4 GT comes with a POCO-specific version of MIUI 13, so you get a number of pre-installed apps that include Netflix, Amazon, POCO-specific apps, and a few games. It’s interesting to see that Genshin Impact comes pre-installed on the X4 GT (you still need to download the core game, which is around 14GB). This shows that POCO is confident that the X4 GT can run the popular open-world RPG with ease.

Like its predecessor, you still get a 5020mAh battery with the POCO X4 GT, along with support for 67w wired charging.

Wrap up and initial conclusions

The mid-range segment is set to be disrupted with the arrival of the POCO X4 GT in the Philippines. Despite looking like your typical mid-range phone, its use of a Dimensity 8100 processor translates to an incredible price-to-performance ratio on paper that its rivals will have a hard time matching.

POCO X4 GT Price Philippines

The POCO X4 GT is priced at Php 18,990 for the 8GB/128GB variant and Php 19,990 for the 8GB/256GB variant and will be exclusive to Shopee. This makes it more expensive than the X3 GT at launch.

However, if you manage to snag the X4 GT with its early bird price (Php 15,990 for the 8GB/128GB model and Php 17,990 for the 8GB/256GB model), it makes it an absolute deal for those who care mostly about raw performance.