When I got my hands on the Xiaomi Poco M7 Pro 5G, I was genuinely excited. A 5G phone under the Rs. 89,999 price point that boasted a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 50 MP Sony LYT-600 sensor? It sounded like a steal. But after spending a few weeks with it, I realized it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here’s my in-depth review highlighting the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Design and Build: Stylish, But Feels Familiar
The first thing I noticed was the design. The two-tone finish is a nice touch, and the Lavender Frost variant looks premium. The slim bezels and 8mm thickness make it comfortable to hold. However, the plastic rear panel feels cheap compared to the competitors offering glass backs. While the metal frame adds some durability, the overall build doesn’t scream premium.
Another issue I found was the camera bump. It’s quite pronounced, and the phone wobbles when placed on a flat surface. This might seem minor, but over time, it gets annoying. Additionally, the IP64 rating is decent for dust and splash resistance, but in a world where competitors like the Galaxy A16 offer higher water resistance, it feels lacking.
Display: Bright, Yet Unremarkable
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is one of the phone’s biggest selling points. The 120 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, and the peak brightness of 2,100 nits makes it legible even under harsh sunlight. Watching HDR videos and playing games was enjoyable thanks to the vibrant colors.
But here’s the catch: while the display is bright, it’s not consistent. Indoors, it’s excellent, but outdoors, especially in very bright settings, it struggles to maintain clarity. Additionally, the lack of a curved display might be a preference for some, but it feels outdated compared to competitors. The Vivid color profile is oversaturated, and while you can switch to the Standard mode, it lacks the natural tones I was hoping for.
Performance: Snappy, Yet Flawed
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, the Poco M7 Pro delivers decent performance for everyday tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and light gaming. Apps load quickly, and multitasking is smooth, even with the 6GB RAM variant.
However, things start to fall apart with heavier use. While playing Call of Duty or other graphic-intensive games, I noticed occasional frame drops and stutters. The phone also heats up during extended gaming sessions, which is a letdown. Moreover, the lack of Android 15 out of the box feels like a missed opportunity, especially since the brand promises two years of OS updates.
Camera: Great Specs, Inconsistent Results
The 50 MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with OIS support is impressive on paper. In daylight, the photos are sharp, with good color accuracy and dynamic range. The 20 MP selfie camera performs well outdoors, capturing natural skin tones.
But low-light performance is where the cameras falter. Despite the Night Mode, images lack detail and exhibit noticeable noise. The 2 MP macro camera feels like a filler addition; its results are unimpressive. Additionally, the portrait mode struggles with edge detection in challenging lighting conditions, making it unreliable.
Battery Life and Charging: Impressive, But Not Without Flaws
The 5,110 mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate usage, including browsing, video streaming, and calls. The 45W fast charging is a significant upgrade, taking the battery from 0% to 100% in about an hour.
However, the charger provided in the box is bulky, and the absence of wireless charging is noticeable, especially as many phones in this range are starting to offer it. While the battery life is good, heavy gamers might find themselves reaching for the charger sooner than expected.
Software: Better, But Still Bloated
The Poco M7 Pro runs on HyperOS, which is a big step up from the older MIUI. The interface feels snappy, and features like customizable lock screens and quick settings add a modern touch.
That said, the pre-installed bloatware is a nuisance. Apps like Glance on the lock screen and unnecessary games take up storage and distract from the user experience. While you can uninstall most of them, the initial setup feels cluttered and unpolished.
Usability and Connectivity: Practical, Yet Limited
The phone is easy to use, thanks to its lightweight build and well-placed power and volume buttons. Features like the IR blaster and headphone jack are welcome additions.
On the downside, the dual speakers with Dolby Atmos sound good at moderate levels but distort at higher volumes. The lack of an ultrawide camera is disappointing, especially when competitors include it as standard.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Bright AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Good daylight camera performance.
- Reliable battery life with fast charging.
- Lightweight, ergonomic design.
- Affordable price point.
Cons:
- Poor low-light camera performance.
- Pre-installed bloatware hampers the experience.
- Occasional frame drops during gaming.
- Plastic back feels less premium.
- No ultrawide lens or wireless charging.
FAQs
Is the Poco M7 Pro good for gaming?
Yes, it handles light to moderate gaming well, but heavy games like Call of Duty may experience frame drops and heating.
Does the Poco M7 Pro support 5G?
Yes, it supports 5G connectivity, making it future-ready for high-speed internet.
How is the Poco M7 Pro’s camera performance?
Daylight performance is excellent, but low-light images lack detail, and the macro camera is underwhelming.
Does the Poco M7 Pro come with bloatware?
Yes, the phone has pre-installed apps, but many can be uninstalled.
How does the Poco M7 Pro compare to competitors?
It offers a good display and battery life but lags in build quality and camera versatility compared to rivals like the Redmi Note 14.
Verdict
The Poco M7 Pro 5G is a solid choice in the budget 5G smartphone segment. It delivers a great display, decent performance, and reliable battery life. However, its shortcomings in camera performance, bloatware, and plastic build keep it from being the best in its category. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with a vibrant display and solid battery, the Poco M7 Pro is worth considering—just don’t expect it to be perfect.
