Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Will this phone increase the concern of other budget phones?

Before the end of 2024, Poco introduced a new addition to its ‘M’ Series with the launch of the Poco M7 Pro 5G in the country. Priced below 15,000, this smartphone features several significant enhancements. Unlike its predecessor, the M6 Pro, which had an LCD display, the M7 Pro boasts an OLED panel. It also includes Corning Gorilla Glass for added protection and is powered by the Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset. The most notable improvement is the fast charging capability, which has increased from 18W to 45W.

Upon examining the specifications in detail, it becomes evident that they closely resemble those of the Redmi Note 14 5G, which was introduced last week. The primary distinction between the two smartphones lies in their pricing. The key question now is whether the Poco M7 Pro, equipped with its new processor, Sony sensor, and OLED display, can capture the interest of consumers within this budget segment. To address this inquiry, we spent some time using the Poco M7 Pro 5G, and here is our assessment based on that experience.

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Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Unboxing

Poco M7 Pro came inside a yellow-colored box which contained-

• Poco M7 Pro handset
• Quick Guide
• Silicone cover
• 45W adapter
• USB-A to USB-C cable

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Design & Build

The Poco M7 Pro features a respectable design, though it may not be considered particularly eye-catching. Its aesthetic is straightforward and minimalistic, constructed from plastic with a metal frame. The device showcases a flat display, while the rear panel presents a blend of two colors. We examined the Lavender Frost variant, which exhibits a design that is partly solid and partly marble-like in finish.

The rear panel features a transparent camera module that resembles glass, although it is constructed from plastic. This module includes two prominent camera cutouts that extend outward, accompanied by an LED flash. Additionally, the POCO branding is integrated into the camera module. The smartphone’s color is distinctive and appealing, particularly for younger users who may appreciate this Lavender hue. For those who prefer more subdued and classic colors, a black variant is also available.

The device features a 6.67-inch display at the front, surrounded by narrow bezels, which is advantageous. The frame is constructed from metal, and the right edge is equipped with a power button and volume controls. These buttons are both tactile and conveniently positioned, offering precise and highly responsive functionality.

The lower edge of the device features the SIM tray, USB Type-C port, microphone, and speaker grille. In contrast, the upper edge is equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is increasingly uncommon. Additionally, the top edge incorporates a secondary speaker, which is a valuable addition to a budget device. The Poco M7 Pro 5G also includes an IR Blaster and a secondary microphone.

Using the phone one-handed proved to be somewhat awkward for me, possibly due to my previous experience with a smaller device. While the phone remains secure in my grip, thanks to its flat edges and matte finish on the rear panel, I found it manageable. Additionally, the majority of the rear panel resists fingerprints, although the camera module tends to attract them.

The display is safeguarded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, ensuring durability and protection. Additionally, the rear panel can be shielded with the included slim cover, which is of good quality. The smartphone strikes a balance in weight; it is not overly heavy nor extremely lightweight, and it feels comfortable to hold without being bulky.

All in all, the Poco M7 Pro comes with not at all surprising design elements at this price point.

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Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Display

The Poco M7 Pro 5G features a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen that boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive brightness of 2100 nits. Like the Redmi Note 14 Series, it also includes three distinct color profiles: Vivid for bright and lively colors, Standard for more subdued tones, and Saturated for enhanced color intensity.

The display is vibrant and the colors are striking, yet they lack a natural appearance. The dynamic range is acceptable but not exceptional. We primarily operated in Standard mode, although we did experiment with Vivid mode for a period. When the colors appeared washed out, we increased the brightness, which enhanced visibility in sunlight. However, in darker conditions, reducing the brightness resulted in the screen appearing nearly black.

The 120Hz refresh rate provides a fluid scrolling experience; however, the majority of applications operate at a 60Hz refresh rate. Even when we set the refresh rate to a higher level for gaming, titles such as COD still reverted to 60Hz during gameplay.

The display also supports HDR, which I tested on YouTube. With a peak brightness of 2100 nits, the smartphone remained functional in outdoor settings without excessive reflection.

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Speakers and Haptics

The Poco M7 Pro features a dual-speaker setup, with the primary speaker located at the bottom and a secondary speaker positioned at the top. Both speakers support Dolby Atmos, delivering a powerful audio experience; however, the clarity of the sound leaves something to be desired. During our testing with various songs, we found that the audio quality was satisfactory at moderate volume levels. However, increasing the volume resulted in a muddled mix of vocals and instruments. On a positive note, the device includes a headphone jack and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to enjoy audio through either wired or wireless headphones.

Haptics support is fast and accurate.

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Software

The Poco M7 Pro 5G operates on HyperOS, which is built on Android 14, right from the start. The manufacturer has committed to providing two years of Android updates and three years of security patches. Our previous review of the Redmi Note 14 Pro indicated that the user interface is largely comparable between the two models. Additionally, the Poco M7 Pro is pre-installed with various bloatware, including numerous games, Glance advertisements on the lock screen, as well as applications like LinkedIn, Snapchat, and several others.

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Performance

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, an enhancement over the Dimensity 7025 SoC. This processor is also featured in the recently released Redmi Note 14. Given the device’s budget-friendly nature, its performance is commendable. After a full day of use that encompassed system navigation, photography, benchmark testing, and activities such as streaming on Instagram and YouTube, as well as using WhatsApp, I did not experience any performance lags. While the device is not designed for intensive gaming, it handles casual gaming effortlessly.

I engaged in playing Call of Duty for a while, and I experienced occasional frame rate drops. It is not feasible to achieve both high graphics and frame rates simultaneously; however, the gameplay can still reach around 30-35 fps. Light gaming is manageable on this device.

To gain a clearer insight into its performance, we conducted benchmark tests on the Poco M7 Pro 5G. Below are the findings.

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Cameras

The Poco M7 Pro 5G features a dual-camera configuration on the rear. It is equipped with a 50MP Sony LYT 600 sensor that offers optical image stabilization (OIS) and a wide f/1.5 aperture, representing a significant enhancement for its price range. In addition to the primary camera, there is also a 2MP macro sensor. For selfies, the device boasts a 20MP front-facing camera.

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• Main: 50MP Sony LYT 600 sensor, OIS, f/1.5 aperture, 1/1.96-inch
• Macro: 2MP depth sensor, f/2.4 aperture
• Rear camera video resolution: 1080p @30 fps
• Front: 20MP front camera
• Front camera video recording: 1080p @ 30fps

The main sensor of the device in this budget is quite remarkable. It captures stunning images with vivid and lifelike colors. The photos are rich in detail, although the dynamic range could be better, which is acceptable for a smartphone priced under 15,000. Both indoor and outdoor shots appear excellent.

In low-light situations, the main sensor still delivered satisfactory performance. Additionally, there is a Night Mode feature that enhances brightness, although it does compromise some detail. While low-light images may exhibit a degree of noise, they remain suitable for sharing on social media.

The second sensor features a 2MP depth camera designed for capturing portrait images. We experimented with several portrait shots, which turned out to be quite satisfactory. The device effectively creates a pleasing blur effect in the background while maintaining natural color tones. However, the level of detail is somewhat restricted; upon zooming in, noticeable noise can be observed in the images. The focus on the subject and edge detection are generally acceptable, although edge detection tends to suffer in low-light environments.

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The Poco M7 Pro features a 20MP front-facing camera; however, its performance did not meet my expectations. While it captures decent images in outdoor settings, it struggles to retain detail in indoor environments. Although the colors appear natural and skin tones are rendered accurately, the overall performance remains inadequate.

Overall, the images captured with the Poco M7 Pro presented a varied experience, featuring more favorable shots than unfavorable ones, which is commendable for a smartphone in this price range. However, the primary drawback lies in the performance of the selfie camera.

Poco M7 Pro 5G Review: Battery Life and Charging

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is equipped with a robust 5100mAh battery that supports 45W wired fast charging. In comparison to its predecessor, the M6 Pro, Poco has enhanced the fast charging speed for this model. Included in the package is a 45W adapter, which allows the battery to charge from 0 to 100% in approximately one hour.

Now, let’s discuss the battery performance. We utilized the Poco M7 Pro for approximately a week, and after a full day of moderate activities—such as browsing social media, watching videos, making calls, gaming, and taking photos—there was still a noticeable amount of battery remaining by evening. In our opinion, with its robust 5110mAh battery, the Poco M7 Pro is likely to last a full day for the majority of users.

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Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Poco M7 Pro 5G?

Smartprix Rating: 7.5/10

Design and Build: 8/10

Display: 8/10

Software: 7/10

Speaker & Haptics:7.5/10

Performance:8/10

Cameras: 7.5/10

Battery Life & Charging:8/10

Poco M7 Pro has been launched in India with a starting price of Rs. 13,999. This smartphone features an attractive design and is equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass, making it a solid choice in the budget segment. Additionally, Poco has incorporated a 120Hz AMOLED display and a more powerful chipset, which is reflected in its impressive benchmark test results.

The Poco M7 Pro, priced under 15k, features a Sony LYT 600 sensor that captures impressive photos for its price range. This smartphone boasts a larger battery, with charging speed upgraded significantly from 18W to 45W, marking a substantial improvement. Poco has committed to providing two years of software updates and four years of security updates. Given these attributes, the Poco M7 Pro appears to be a solid option. However, it may not be the top choice in its price category, as it faces competition from the Moto G64, iQOO Z9x, and CMF Phone 1, all of which deliver comparable performance. While the CMF Phone 1 may offer slightly superior performance, the Poco M7 Pro excels in camera capabilities.

First reviewed in December 2024.

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