POCO M5 Budget Phone Launched in Nepal with Helio G99 and 6.58-inch Display

The POCO M5 has officially entered the Nepali market, positioning itself as a compelling option in the budget gaming segment. Launched locally in September last year, this device builds on its predecessor with notable upgrades while maintaining an attractive price point.

Design and Display The POCO M5 carries forward the design language of earlier models, offering a dual-tone finish and a prominent camera module available in Power Black, Cool Blue, and POCO Yellow colors. A new leather-like texture enhances its aesthetic appeal. The front features a sizable 6.58-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a waterdrop notch, supporting a 90Hz refresh rate that can adjust down to 60Hz or even 30Hz depending on the application in use. The display includes a smooth 240Hz touch sampling rate and DC dimming for reduced eye strain in low-light environments.

Performance and Memory A key distinction from its predecessor, the POCO M5 utilizes the MediaTek Helio G99 processor instead of a 5G-capable chip, though it matches the CPU configuration of the previous Dimensity 700 model. Built on an efficient 6nm process, the processor pairs with either 4GB or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The device runs Android 12 with MIUI 13 on top.

Camera Setup Around back, the POCO M5 sports a triple-camera arrangement led by a 50MP primary sensor, accompanied by a 2MP macro shooter and a 2MP depth sensor. The front camera occupies the waterdrop notch and features a 5MP sensor suitable for selfies and video calls.

Battery and Additional Features A robust 5000mAh battery powers the device, supporting 18W fast charging despite the inclusion of a 22.5W adapter in the box. Security features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and face unlock functionality. The phone also incorporates an IR blaster and NFC support, though regional variations may affect NFC availability.

Pricing and Availability The POCO M5 is currently available in Nepal through authorized retailers. The base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage is priced at NPR 20,499, while the higher-end configuration featuring 6GB RAM and 128GB storage costs NPR 23,999.