Let's be real – at $200, I wasn't expecting flagship performance. But after using the UMIDIGI G6 5G as my daily driver for three weeks, this phone keeps impressing me where it counts.

The matte green back (yes, it comes in fun colors!) feels premium despite the plastic build. That 183g weight makes it disappear in my pocket – a relief after carrying brick-sized flagships. The included bumper case with raised camera protection was a thoughtful touch I actually use daily.

Where this phone shines? The 90Hz display. Scrolling through TikTok and Reddit feels buttery smooth – something I didn't expect at this price. Watching The Bear on its 6.57" screen during lunch breaks? Surprisingly decent with vibrant colors, though outdoor visibility could be better.

Performance-wise, the Dimensity 6100+ handles my routine beautifully: Slack, Spotify, Google Maps running simultaneously with no hiccups. Battery life? That 5000mAh cell gets me through 1.5 days regularly. The infrared night vision camera became an unexpected hero when I dropped my keys in a dark parking lot – it illuminated about 8 feet clearly in monochrome.

The quirks? Camera performance is hit-or-miss. Daylight shots look sharp on the phone screen but pixelate when zoomed. Low-light photos resemble impressionist paintings (not in a good way). And that express key? Programmed mine to launch Spotify instantly – a small but game-changing convenience.

For someone who needs reliable performance without breaking the bank (or their heart when they inevitably drop it), this might be one of the smartest $200 decisions you'll make this year.