Pocophone F1

[PlaneMan]

Had a quick play after setting up a Pocophone F1 for my mum today, very nice phone.

It feels like a much more expensive phone than it is, it’s very fast (as it should be) and it’s a good size, screen is the same size as my OnePlus 5T but the bezels are slightly smaller.

Geek bench 4 score of 2460 single core and 9140 multi core. My 5T scores 1974 and 6835.

Camera is quick to respond and the few shots I managed to take were at least as good as my 5T, possibly better but I need more time with it to be sure.

One very strange thing is I couldn’t get it to unlock using the fingerprint scanner. It’s all set up to recognize a fingerprint but the option for fingerprint unlock isn’t in the list, just pin, pattern or password even though there is a toggle button in the fingerprint section under unlock that is enabled. Strange.

There’s a quite weedy bumper case in the box but it’s better than nothing, no screen protector though. Other than that it’s just a USB C to USB lead and SIM opening tool included.

Hoping to get a bit more time with it on Wednesday, so if anyone has a specific question I’ll try and answer later in the week.

So far it’s a cracking phone for not much £ (for the performance).

[Ed P]

Looks nice but it exceeds my requirement that phones fit in my shirt pocket. (I’ve broken too many screens sticking phones in my trouser pockets)

[PlaneMan]

Ed, do you use tempered glass screen protectors? If not you should I’ve never broken a screen.

[The Duke]

Tempered glass is a must on all pjones. I too have never broken a screen, with having a TG protector.

Also if your phone isn’t towards the high end, it will feel nicer to use as the TG has the coating on them (it name is gone atm) that higher end divises has.

The only down side to TG is it does add glare when out doors. I don’t know if your phone is the older LCD that gets glare any how, if it would make a difference, but if you have a OLED screen, that doesn’t get glare, or rather reduces glare, putting on a TG protector will add glare.

Ive chipped and cracked a few over the years, and it’s when I’m in the car (on sat nav) I notice how much better phones look naked, than with TG on. But it’s not like it adds mega amounts, just letting you know. The benifit for me out do the glare neganive.

[Ed P]

A tempered glass screen cracked in my trouser seat pocket coming down a helter skelter with a Grandson. Obviously my fault and way beyond the usual limits for screen bending. I should have known better, but it is hard to think through all the implications when taking a grandchild out on a hot summer’s day, and welfare concerns kick in. Not the first time I have done something similar but ijits never learn!

It is now far easier just to stick to a maximum 5.25 inch screen size, and this is the size that I now prefer.

[The Duke]

I too like a 5″ phone ed, but I like a 6″ media device. So no matter which I have, I’m both happy and un happy depending on what I’m doing with it.

Though given I do more media than phoning I’ve always (mostly) always gone bigger. Currently at 6. 2 iirc, and my pockets can’t do bigger so I’m defo at my limit. Christ iirc the nexus tablet was 7″ lol.

[PlaneMan]

Sorted the fingerprint unlock.

Somehow mum had managed to get a partial fingerprint stored on the phone. That wasn’t enough to unlock it. Registered my fingerprint and it worked fine. Reregistered mum’s print and it works perfect. Very quick as well.

[Drezha]

Any test shots of the camera? GSM Arena seems to show this as being a step up from my Moto G6 Plus.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[PlaneMan]

Haven’t got any with me at home but if you can hang on a few days I’ll get some done on Sunday for Monday.

[Drezha]

No worries. Reading some reviews and it seems to be a good deal.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[PlaneMan]

For the money it’s a superb deal.

Daft even.

[Drezha]

I took the plunge and ordered one. Been setting it up this morning. First major niggle is Miui – sorted to a degree by installing Nova Launcher. Second, the navbar remains a horrible bright grey in any app, so I’ve installed Navbar.

I’ll see how things play out, but seems OK so far. Smaller than my Moto G6 Plus but a larger screen which takes a getting used! Likewise, a fingerprint sensor on the rear. We’ll see how things go.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[PlaneMan]

Where did you get it from? Mum’s has the option of the Nova Launcher or Miui as standard.

I don’t remember the nav bar on mum’s being grey in all apps either.

I wonder if you have a different version from mum’s, maybe a non-UK one versus a UK one?

I can check her version tomorrow.

[Drezha]

Laptops Direct, as per you link. Mine said it was the Global Version from a sticker on the side of the case. I was offered three themes I think but all MIUI. I also can’t find Face Unlock, but I’m updating the phone now to see if that helps.

The grey bar is like this. I know that’s an old app, so might not switch. It was also happening in Pocket Casts which is newer. Navbar seems to have been stopped by the battery optimisations, so I’ve deleted it as it didn’t seem to do much help anyhow!

I’ll see what the latest update manages to achieve.

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[PlaneMan]

Last time I looked face unlock wasn’t available in the UK, change the region to France, IIRC, and it shows and can then be used.

There were a few countries with face unlock enabled, India was another I think.

Just realized that I could check the box as I’m at mum’s awaiting airport duties, it’s the global version as well.

[Dave Rice]

I wonder why it’s a regional thing?

[PlaneMan]

No idea Dave,they are rolling it out slowly, region by region.

[Drezha]

Biggest issue I’ve run in to is the Android Auto support. It doesn’t work properly. Black bars at the top and bottom of the screen and can’t control anything. With the driving I have to do for work at the minute, I can’t have that. Could use my work iPhone I guess but just in general, not being able to use Auto is a pain.

 

At this rate I should just stump up for a Pixel as the default Android isn’t bad as I really like the Moto G6 but was looking for a bit more ommph. Maybe its still got life in it yet!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[Drezha]

Looking around, this appears to have Android 9 now, is that correct?

Amazon have a UK version for £260 now. Mine went back as Android Auto issues meant it was pretty poor experience for me. However, as I changed jobs and the company car went back, we don’t have a compatible car now.

Was looking at either this or a Moto G7 as need Android for some tricks at work that iOS just can’t do.

My G5 is still going fairly strong as a bedroom audio player!

"Everything looks interesting until you do it. Then you find it’s just another job" - Terry Pratchett

[PlaneMan]

I’ll try and remember to have a look at mum’s tomorrow, probably have a load of updates to do first though. 🙄

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