Last month, Poco introduced the M7 5G in India, positioning it as the latest budget-friendly smartphone from Xiaomi’s brand focused on performance. Priced below Rs. 10,000, the device packs an octa-core Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, 128GB of internal storage, a powerful 50-megapixel rear camera, and operates on Android 14. The Poco M7 5G is set to compete with other affordable options including the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G, Redmi A4, Redmi 14C 5G, Infinix Hot 50 5G, Tecno Spark 30C, and Lava Blaze 3 5G.
The starting price for the base model of the Poco M7 5G is Rs. 9,999, while the variant with 8GB of RAM is available for Rs. 10,999. Buyers can choose from three different color options. The question remains: is the Poco M7 5G the top budget smartphone available today? Our in-depth review will provide clarity.
Design: Subtle Differences
- Dimensions: 171.9×77.8×8.2 mm
- Weight: 205.4g
- Colors: Mint Green, Ocean Blue (featured in this review), Satin Black
The Poco M7 5G features a sizeable 6.88-inch display. The rear panel is divided, showcasing a matte finish on the lower half and a glossy surface where the 50-megapixel camera resides. Both the rear panel and the elevated camera island are constructed from plastic, catching the light at different angles.
Poco M7 5G exhibits a dual-texture rear design
The design of the Poco M7 5G will seem familiar to those who have examined the Redmi A4 or the Redmi 14C 5G. All three devices share the same display size and overall design dimensions, with the M7 5G and Redmi 14C 5G both tipping the scales at 204.5g. The only distinguishing feature is the unique half-matte, half-glossy rear panel design.
The front of the smartphone displays an LCD screen with prominent bezels on the top and sides, and an exaggerated chin. A waterdrop notch at the top houses the selfie camera, while the front profile closely resembles that of the Redmi devices.
The edges of the Poco M7 5G are plastic, with the right side featuring a volume rocker and power button, a USB Type-C port at the bottom, and a 3.5mm audio jack located at the top. The review unit provided did not include a screen protector or case; however, it did come with a 33W power adapter, a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool.
Software: Outdated Android Version and Preloaded Apps
- Software: HyperOS
- Version: Android 14
- Latest Security Patch: January 1, 2025
The Poco M7 5G operates on Android 14, customized with Xiaomi’s HyperOS. It is somewhat disappointing that it was released with this version, given that Android 15 has already been out for six months. Xiaomi has committed to providing two Android OS updates, with the final major update expected to be Android 16, in addition to four years of security updates.
Poco M7 5G preloads several applications (Tap to expand)
The HyperOS interface appears well-optimized for the Poco M7 5G, facilitating smooth transitions between apps. The unit under review featured 6GB of RAM, with a memory extension feature that was turned off by default.
Performance: Strong Value Proposition
- Processor: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2
- Memory: Up to 8GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2
The Poco M7 5G houses a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, leveraging two Cortex-A78 cores running at 2.2GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.95GHz, along with an Adreno 613 GPU. This processor is more powerful than the one found in the Redmi A4, enabling it to run applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) effortlessly.
Performance of the Poco M7 5G is competitive within its pricing bracket (Tap to expand)
Games such as Temple Run 2 and Asphalt Legends Unite function smoothly at default settings. Additionally, Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) performed adequately at Smooth settings with the Ultra framerate option. However, the absence of a gyroscope necessitates manual adjustments during gameplay.
Benchmark tests were conducted to compare the Poco M7 5G’s performance against competitors like the Redmi A4 5G, Moto G35, and the pricier HMD Fusion, which also utilizes the same processor.
| Benchmarks | Poco M7 5G | Motorola G35 | HMD Fusion | Redmi A4 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench Single | 923 | 1,012 | 937 | 839 |
| Geekbench Multi | 2,195 | 2,403 | 2,245 | 1919 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 8,030 | 13,920 | 8,503 | 8,782 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 4,33,660 | 4,94,364 | 4,48,378 | 3,87,157 |
| GFXB T-rex | 57 | 70 | 70 | 55 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 36 | 33 | 37 | 28 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Failed to run | 2,590 | 1,775 | 1,560 |
| 3DM Slingshot | Failed to run | 3,379 | 2,712 | 2,409 |
| 3DM Wild Life | 668 | Not supported | 673 | 647 |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 666 | Not supported | 669 | Failed to run |
The Poco M7 5G boasts a 6.88-inch HD+ (720×1640 pixels) IPS LCD screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. Users can choose between automatic switching or manually selecting 60Hz or 120Hz. I opted for the Standard colour setting, which provided enhanced color accuracy.
Poco M7 5G’s display performs adequately in most outdoor settings
Poco claims the device’s display achieves a peak brightness of 450 nits, reaching 600 nits in high brightness mode. This screen performs well in daylight conditions, although visibility may be affected in particularly bright sunlight.
Cameras: Capable Daylight Performance
- Main Camera: 50-megapixel (f/1.8), PDAF, up to 1080p/30fps video
- Selfie Camera: 8-megapixel
The primary camera features a 50-megapixel sensor with phase detection autofocus and an f/1.8 aperture, delivering bright and sharp daytime photos with accurate colors. Captured images exhibit rich details, even at full zoom.
Camera samples captured in various modes (Tap to expand)
The main camera offers a 2x in-sensor crop that allows for zooming in on distant subjects, producing satisfactory results given adequate natural light. The camera app is also quick to respond, snapping photos almost instantaneously after hitting the shutter button.
For low-light photography, it is advisable to use the default mode for better detail—especially for moving subjects—whereas the Night mode may introduce undesirable softening, though it is worth trying in very dim environments.
Low-light photography results (Tap to expand)
The default camera app has additional modes for 50MP and Portrait shots—though the former requires a bit longer to process images. For those seeking maximum detail, the 50-megapixel option is recommended, keeping in mind the larger storage space needed.
Unfortunately, the Poco M7 5G lacks image stabilization, leading to potential shaky videos when recording in low light or bright conditions, whether from the rear or selfie camera. Users can capture footage at 1080p 30fps with both cameras.
Battery: Lasting Power
- Battery Capacity: 5,160mAh
- Wired Charging: 18W (USB Type-C)
The Poco M7 5G, equipped with a 5,160mAh battery and the energy-efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, provides ample usage time, lasting over a day and a half on a single charge during mixed activity, including calls, light gaming, and social media browsing.
Poco M7 5G does not include a case in the packaging
In video playback tests, the phone lasted 23 hours and 10 minutes—though performance in real-world use may vary. Although it comes with a 33W charger, the device only supports 18W charging, taking roughly one hour and fifty minutes to reach a full charge.
Final Thoughts
At a price of Rs. 9,999, the Poco M7 5G stands out as a strong option in India’s budget smartphone market, offering 5G connectivity, an appealing design, and commendable camera functionality during the day. Battery longevity and charging speeds also meet expectations within this price range.
However, the decision to launch with Android 14, while competitors like the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G feature the newer Android 15, is a downside for potential buyers, along with the limited future updates compared to rivals. Alternatives to consider include the Redmi A4, Redmi 14C 5G, and Moto G35.
