Poco is on the move to build its own niche and lead with products having unmatched specifications. The company recently launched the Poco M7, which falls under the price category of 10K. The phone comes with the largest display in its segment, along with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset. The company claims the phone to be a segment redefiner, and we will see in this review whether the phone lives up to the claim or not.
Design
The Poco M7 5G embraces a fresh design, making it stand out in its category. I got the Mint Green variant, which immediately caught our eye with its dual-tone finish. The glossy upper section houses the circular camera module, giving it a catchy appeal. Under bright light, the unit shines, adding to its overall aesthetic appeal.
The device also features an IP52 rating, making it resistant to dust and minor splashes, which is a nice addition at this price point. The button placement is ergonomic, with the power button and the volume rockers on the right side. The bottom houses the USB Type-C port, speaker grille whereas on the top lies a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to a wide range of users. The left side has a SIM tray with a dedicated slot for a microSD card.
Display
The Poco M7 5G boasts a massive 6.88-inch display, making it the largest in its segment. It features a 120 Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, ensuring a fluid experience while scrolling through social media or playing games. The 240 Hz touch sampling rate further enhances responsiveness, making interactions snappy and precise.
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With a resolution of 260 PPI and a peak brightness of 600 nits, the display offers decent clarity and visibility under sunlight. The TÜV Rheinland Triple Eye Protection certification is a welcome addition, reducing eye strain during prolonged usage. The display also has HD+ support, delivering an immersive and comfortable viewing experience.
OS
The POCO M7 5G runs on Android 14 with POCO’s custom UI on top. The UI comes with unwanted applications that auto-updates making them a bit irritating. POCO has ensured two years of Android updates and four years of security patches, giving users long-term software support.
Performance
Poco M7 is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This ensures better efficiency, faster processing speeds, and smooth multitasking. My review unit featured 6 GB RAM + 128 GB storage, with Turbo RAM extending it to 12 GB for enhanced performance.
Daily tasks, including browsing, social media, and streaming, run without hiccups. Even light gaming is handled well, though heavier games need graphics adjustments for smoother gameplay. The Geekbench scores are good for its price—928 for single-core, 2220 for multi-core, and 407 for GPU—showing that the phone can handle moderate workloads with ease.
Camera
The Poco M7 5G features a dual-camera setup on the rear, led by a 50 MP Sony IMX852 primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture. This is accompanied by a 2 MP depth sensor. The front houses an 8 MP camera for selfies and video calls.
In daylight conditions, the primary sensor captures detailed shots with good colour accuracy. Dynamic range is decent, and AI enhancements help in bringing out finer details. The portrait mode works well too. Low-light photography is surprisingly good for a budget device. The Night Mode is a big aid, reducing noise and enhancing details, ensuring usable shots even in dim lighting. The sensor does struggle a bit in extreme darkness, but the results are still respectable for a phone in this price range.
Selfies are decent, with the 8 MP front camera producing sharp and balanced images. Skin tones are well-represented and beautification features are available too for those who prefer a refined look. Overall, the camera setup does a commendable job given its price point.
Battery
The Poco M7 5G packs a 5,160 mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage without the need for frequent charging. Even with heavy usage, the phone comfortably lasts a full day, making it a reliable choice for power users. The 33 W fast charger further enhances the experience, allowing the device to charge quickly. While it may not be the fastest in the market, it’s a welcome addition that keeps the phone up and running without long downtimes.
Verdict
Poco has packed power into the M7 5G, making it a strong contender in the budget segment, starting at ₹9,999. From its large display and efficient processor to a reliable battery and decent cameras, the device ticks most boxes for an affordable 5G smartphone. If you’re looking for a phone under 10K that delivers a solid experience across the board, the Poco M7 5G is a worthy choice.
Published – March 22, 2025 01:55 pm IST