In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphone accessories, true wireless earphones have become an essential offering from various brands. Poco, a sub-brand of Xiaomi, has stepped into this space with its entry-level product, the Poco Pods true wireless earphones. Priced at an affordable Rs. 1,199 in India, these earphones aim to provide a straightforward and accessible audio experience. This article delves into the design, features, performance, and overall value of the Poco Pods, exploring whether they are a worthy contender in the budget true wireless earphone segment.

Design and Features:
The Poco Pods true wireless earphones boast a minimalistic yet functional design. Sporting a familiar look reminiscent of the Redmi Buds 4 Active, the earpieces are lightweight and durable, with a comfortable in-canal fit and a stem-style design. The headset comes in a black-and-yellow color scheme, which is Poco's signature. The charging case, adorned with the large Poco logo, matches this color theme.

Control-wise, the Poco Pods feature touch-sensitive areas on the earpieces for managing basic functions. While lacking app support, the controls are fixed and non-customizable. Double-tapping answers calls or controls playback, while triple-tapping cancels calls or skips tracks. Notably, you can't skip to the previous track directly from the earphones; this requires the paired smartphone. Additional gestures are available, such as long-pressing both earpieces to enable or disable low-latency mode. The case includes a small indicator light and a USB Type-C charging port.

The Poco Pods come with environmental noise cancellation for improved call quality. The sales package includes three pairs of silicone ear tips for a better fit. While lacking app support might seem like a limitation, it's not unreasonable for earphones in this price range. Notably, the earphones support USB Type-C charging and offer features like environmental noise cancellation and low-latency mode, catering to basic user needs.

Performance and Sound Quality:
Recognizing the budget-friendly nature of the Poco Pods, it's important to manage expectations, as these earphones prioritize affordability and form factor. The earphones are equipped with 12mm dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, supporting only the SBC Bluetooth codec. This codec limitation does affect sound quality, resulting in a somewhat unrefined audio experience. While not unpleasant, the sound quality lacks the finesse found in higher-end offerings.

Listening to tracks like David Guetta's "Stay (Don't Go Away)," the Poco Pods performed acceptably at moderate volume levels but struggled with complex soundscapes. The earphones tend to sound slightly muffled as the intensity of the audio increases. The bass frequencies are more pronounced, making these earphones a potentially appealing choice for bass enthusiasts. Certain genres, particularly beat-driven tracks, fare better with this tuning, masking the lack of detail in the audio.

Call quality is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with the microphone performance being acceptable in quiet environments. Despite environmental noise cancellation, the microphone's performance outdoors is slightly compromised. The low-latency mode doesn't exhibit a significant reduction in audio latency during mobile gaming.

Battery Life and Overall Value:
The Poco Pods offer a respectable battery life, running for around five hours on a single earpiece charge, with the charging case providing over three additional full charges. This accumulates to a total runtime of approximately 22-23 hours per charge cycle, falling slightly short of the claimed 30 hours. Given the budget-friendly focus of these earphones, the battery life is sufficient for all-day casual listening. In the budget true wireless earphone segment, the Poco Pods hold their ground as a practical and functional offering. Designed for simplicity and accessibility, these earphones fulfill the needs of most budget-conscious consumers. While not delivering an audiophile-grade experience, they excel in offering casual listening and passive noise isolation. With a competitive price point, decent battery life, and basic features, the Poco Pods are a worthy consideration for those seeking affordable true wireless earphones without extravagant expectations.

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