Poco C85 5G vs Realme P4x 5G
Which should you buy?
Lately, it’s getting harder to tell a budget phone from a proper mid-ranger, and that’s not an exaggeration. Take the newly released Realme P4x that recently rolled out; it comes with a battery capacity you’d more likely expect in phones such as the Oppo Find X9 Pro. At the same time, the newly launched Poco C85 5G shows up with a screen size and presence that can easily go toe to toe with top midrange devices. What used to be clear lines, bigger battery, smoother performance, better displays are blurring.
That means you can now buy a phone that feels premium without paying premium prices, but it also makes choosing harder. Do you pick the C85 for its display and balance, or the P4x for endurance and value? We’ll unpack how they match up in real use so you can pick the one that actually fits your day.
/1. Design
Both phones come with IP64 dust and water resistance, so everyday splashes and dusty pockets aren’t a concern. Where they start to part ways is in how they present themselves and how they settle in your hand.
The Poco C85 5G leans into a softer, more playful identity. The quad-curved back tapers gently into a slim 7.99mm frame, giving it that smooth, almost cushiony feel when you pick it up. The dual-tone finish adds a bit of flair without trying too hard, and the oversized camera deco feels intentional rather than loud. It comes in Mystic Purple, Spring Green, and Power Black colours that give it a light, youthful character. You get the sense that Poco wanted something that feels easygoing and approachable from the moment you see it.
The Realme P4x, on the other hand, carries itself with more weight, literally and visually. It’s a touch thicker at around 8.39mm and has a firmer, more planted feel when you grip it. The matte finishes — silver, elegant pink, and lake green — lean toward a cleaner, more refined aesthetic. Nothing flashy, nothing dramatic, just quiet confidence. That extra thickness makes room for its much larger battery and cooling system, so the phone feels built with purpose. It gives off the impression of a device meant to last longer sessions and take heavier workloads without fuss.
/2. Display
When it comes to the display, both phones sport panels that feel worth their price. In the case of the Poco C85 5G, you’re getting a large 6.9-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and brightness levels of 660 nits (typ) and 810 nits in HBM. It’s a big, easygoing screen that works well for everyday media, long scrolling sessions, and casual viewing. The size alone gives it a more cinematic feel, and the high refresh rate keeps things smooth.
But over on the Realme P4x 5G, the front sports a 6.72-inch FullHD+ LCD with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. It’s clearly tuned for gaming and outdoor use, offering a sharper, brighter, and faster experience than what you get on the Poco. Everything from text to motion looks a bit more refined here, especially when you’re outside or playing fast-paced content.
/3. Performance
The Poco C85 5G ships with different chips depending on the market — India gets the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, while the global model uses a MediaTek Helio G81-Ultra octa-core. Both, combined with HyperOS 2.0 on Android 15, make the phone snappy for day-to-day use: web browsing, social apps, and casual gaming. It also promises two Android upgrades and four years of security patches, which is a pleasant surprise at this price.
The Realme P4x 5G steps things up with the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra (6nm), a chipset that pushes benchmark scores into territory you usually see on pricier phones. Realme backs that with software tricks up to 18GB of virtual RAM and storage expansion up to 256GB, and a large vapour chamber to keep temperatures in check during long gaming or heavy multitasking sessions.
/4. Cameras
Poco C85 5G rocks a 50MP AI dual rear setup and an 8MP front camera. That 50MP sensor captures decent detail in good light and is perfectly fine for social posts, quick snaps, and the occasional wide scene.
The Realme P4x 5G also uses a 50MP main camera and adds 4K video recording support. Realme hasn’t made the P4x a camera-first phone; instead, it keeps things reliable while focusing on performance and battery. The P4x produces crisp daytime shots, and the 4K option is a useful bonus if you record a lot of video or want more room to crop in editing. Autofocus is snappy, and colours tend to be a touch more natural compared with the Poco’s slightly punchier processing.
/5. Battery and Charging
Battery capacity has become a key selling point for budget phones, and both the Poco C85 5G and Realme P4x 5G make impressive claims. The Realme P4x 5G packs a massive 7,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging and bypass charging support. That combination is built to last through heavy usage and long gaming sessions, so you’re rarely worried about running out of juice.
The Poco C85 5G, meanwhile, isn’t far behind. It houses a 6,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, which can juice the phone to 50% in just 28 minutes. On top of that, it supports 10W wired reverse charging, letting the device double as a portable power bank for your earbuds, smartwatches, or other small devices.
/6. Storage and Memory
Both phones give you options to balance RAM and storage, though they take slightly different approaches.
The Poco C85 5G comes in 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants, using LPDDR4X RAM with eMMC 5.1 storage. It also supports memory extension up to 16GB, which uses available storage to give you extra RAM for smoother multitasking.
Meanwhile, the Realme P4x 5G offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM and supports 18GB of virtual RAM, giving it extra multitasking headroom. Storage expansion is supported up to 256GB, enough for most users, though not as massive as the Poco’s 1TB potential.
/7. Price and Availability
Poco C85 5G starts at ₹10,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant, rises to ₹11,999 for 6GB + 128GB, and tops out at ₹13,499 for 8GB + 128GB. It will be available on Flipkart from December 16, making it one of the most affordable 5G options with a large battery and display in India.
The Realme P4x 5G starts higher, at ₹15,499 for 6GB + 128GB, going up to ₹16,999 for 8GB + 128GB and ₹17,999 for 8GB + 256GB. However, Realme is running a launch sale on Flipkart from December 10, where prices drop as low as ₹13,499 for a limited 12-hour window, bringing it closer to Poco’s range.
Final Verdict
In most ways, the Realme P4x 5G outshines the Poco C85 5G — it packs a stronger chipset, a larger battery, faster 45W charging, and extra multitasking support with virtual RAM. It feels more capable under heavy use and more future-proof if you plan to keep your phone for a few years.
The Poco C85 5G, meanwhile, holds its ground as a budget-friendly, big-screen device that covers all the essentials: smooth daily performance, decent battery life, and a large 6.9-inch display that’s great for media and browsing.
Overall, it comes down to priorities. Pick the Realme P4x 5G if you want speed, endurance, and extra headroom for gaming or heavy multitasking. Choose the Poco C85 5G if you want affordability without compromising on screen size and everyday usability.
David Adubiina
