Aiming to expand its foothold in India’s highly competitive affordable 5G segment, POCO has launched a new budget-friendly smartphone that targets value-seeking users looking for stronger performance and better connectivity. The latest addition brings upgraded hardware, a refreshed design language, and features positioned to challenge rivals in the sub-₹12,000 category.
POCO C85 5G Launch in India
POCO has officially brought the new POCO C85 5G to India. The smartphone landed on December 9, 2025, and will go on sale via Flipkart starting December 16. The phone aims for budget-segment buyers who want strong battery life and a large display at an affordable price.
POCO C85 5G Price & Variants in India
- The base variant with 4 GB RAM + 128 GB storage is priced at ₹11,999.
- The mid (6 GB + 128 GB) and top (8 GB + 128 GB) variants are priced at ₹12,999 and ₹14,499 respectively.
First-day bank offers could bring down the effective price for early buyers. The phone is available in three colours: Mystic Purple, Spring Green, and Power Black.
POCO C85 5G Specifications
POCO C85 5G: Display, Design & Build Features
- POCO C85 5G packs a 6.9-inch HD+ LCD screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 810 nits peak brightness.
- The phone is slim, measuring just 7.99 mm in thickness, and has a dual-tone matte finish back panel, giving it a more premium feel than typical budget handsets.
- Additionally, the display has eye-comfort certifications (Low Blue Light, Flicker-Free, Circadian Friendly) for less eye strain during long use.
- For durability, POCO has added IP64 dust and splash resistance.
POCO C85 5G: Performance, Battery & Charging
- Under the hood, the phone runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset with up to 8 GB RAM (plus virtual RAM support) and 128 GB UFS 2.2 storage (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD).
- Powering the device is a 6,000 mAh battery. This sizeable battery can provide long backup, POCO claims over 106 hours of music playback.
- Charging is handled via 33 W fast wired charging, and it also supports 10 W reverse wired charging, letting you use the phone as a power bank for accessories.
POCO C85 5G: Camera, Software & Extras
- The C85 5G features a dual rear camera setup — a 50 MP main sensor combined with a secondary lens. For selfies and video calls, it uses an 8 MP front camera.
- The phone runs on HyperOS 2.2, based on Android 15. POCO promises two major Android upgrades and four years of security updates.
- It also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and connectivity support for 5G, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi (dual-band), Bluetooth 5.4, and more.
Who Should Consider POCO C85 5G?
If you are looking for a budget 5G phone that offers big battery life, a smooth display, and good enough cameras without breaking the bank, POCO C85 5G is a solid choice. It fits well for users who:
- Consume lots of video, music or social media,
- Need a reliable daily driver with long battery endurance,
- Want a large display for streaming or gaming,
- Prefer a value-for-money proposition with long-term software support.
In short, for those who prioritise value over flagship bells and whistles, POCO C85 5G presents a compelling package under ₹15,000.
