Poco C81 Pro Spotted on NBTC, Budget 4G Phone May Launch Soon in India

The Poco C81 Pro has officially shown up on Thailand’s NBTC certification website, and that’s usually the final stop before a smartphone hits the market. If you were waiting for Poco’s next ultra-budget move, this might be it.

According to the NBTC listing, the Poco C81 Pro carries the model number 25128PC17G and certification number B38077-26. The listing confirms GSM, WCDMA, and LTE support, meaning this is strictly a 4G device. No 5G here.

And honestly? That might not be a bad thing at this price point.

Poco C81 Pro NBTC Listing 

The NBTC certification strongly suggests that the Poco C81 Pro launch is around the corner. Phones don’t typically sit on certification sites for long before going official.

Interestingly, the model number closely matches the recently spotted Redmi A7 Pro variants. That hints at something Poco fans are used to, this device could be a rebranded version of the Redmi A7 Pro.

Manufactured in China, the Poco C81 Pro appears to be in its final stages before announcement. Industry sources expect a late February or early March 2026 launch.

Poco C81 Pro Expected Specifications

Leaks suggest the Poco C81 Pro will focus heavily on display size and battery life, two things budget buyers care about most.

Here’s what we know so far:

Display:

• 6.9-inch LCD

• HD+ resolution

• 120Hz refresh rate

Processor:

• Unisoc T7250 (12nm octa-core)

Memory & Storage:

• 4GB RAM (likely with virtual RAM expansion)

• 64GB / 128GB storage

• microSD support up to 1TB

Camera:

• 50MP main rear camera + auxiliary lens

• 8MP front camera

Battery & Charging:

• 6,000mAh battery

• 15W wired charging via USB Type-C

Software:

• HyperOS 3 based on Android 15 Go Edition

For an entry-level device, these specs look practical rather than flashy, and that’s probably the right strategy.

Poco C81 Pro Design and Features

The Poco C81 Pro is expected to include the following:

• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor

• AI Face Unlock

• 3.5mm headphone jack (yes, it’s still alive)

• IP64 splash and dust resistance

• Plastic frame with matte or leather-like finish

This isn’t a premium device, and it’s not pretending to be one. It’s targeting users who want a big screen and long battery life without spending more than ₹9,000.

Poco C81 Pro Price Expectations in India

If reports are accurate, the Poco C81 Pro price in India could start between ₹7,999 and ₹8,999. That places it firmly in the entry-level segment.

For comparison, Poco launched the Poco C85 5G in December at ₹12,499 with a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip and 6,000mAh battery. The C81 Pro clearly aims lower in pricing but keeps the massive battery and large display.

In my view, skipping 5G is actually a smart cost-cutting move here. At under ₹9,000, buyers care more about battery backup and display size than next-gen network speeds.

Why Poco C81 Pro Could Matter

The budget smartphone market in India is brutally competitive. Brands like Redmi, Realme, and Lava are constantly pushing aggressive pricing.

But Poco knows how to play this game.

If the Poco C81 Pro launches with the expected specs and stays under ₹9,000, it could become one of the most practical budget phones of early 2026. A 6.9-inch 120Hz display and 6,000mAh battery at that price? That’s hard to ignore.

Now the real question: will Poco keep the pricing aggressive, or push it slightly higher?

We won’t have to wait long to find out.