Launched in India last December, the Poco M7 Pro positions itself as a strong contender in the mid-range budget smartphone market. We recently had the opportunity to evaluate this device. Modern smartphones are delivering impressive value at price points accessible to many consumers, particularly for the base variant priced at Rs. 14,999. This model includes a sizable AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a robust 5,110mAh battery, a capable mid-range processor, and a dual rear camera system featuring a 50-megapixel primary sensor.
Poco has made its mark in the budget and mid-range segments, frequently launching impressive mid-range devices such as the Poco X7 Pro. The M7 Pro appears to offer excellent value on paper, but how does it perform in practical use? Let’s delve into the details.
Included in the box are a 45W charger, a case, and typical documentation.
The base model comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for Rs. 14,999. If you seek more power, the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant is available for Rs. 16,999.
Poco M7 Pro Design
The Poco M7 Pro is available in three color options: Lavender Frost, Lunar Dust, and Olive Twilight. For this review, we examined the Lunar Dust variant, which is sure to draw attention. The phone showcases a dual-tone design on its rear with a textured moon dust pattern on one half and a matte finish on the other. This distinctive style, complemented by a square camera module, lends the device a premium aesthetic.
The device is outfitted with a dual-speaker configuration.
Poco branding is featured on the camera module along with a 5G logo at the base. The camera module is subtly designed with curved edges, enhancing its sleek profile. Both the rear panel and frame are made of plastic with a matte finish.
An IP64 rating adds to the device’s durability.
Weighing in at 190 grams and measuring just 7.99mm thick, the device is relatively lightweight. The M7 Pro carries an IP64 rating, a notable upgrade from the M6 Pro’s IP52. The volume rocker and power button are conveniently located on the right side, while the bottom hosts a USB Type-C port, a microphone, loudspeaker, and SIM tray. The top of the phone comes equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack, another microphone, an additional speaker, and an IR blaster.
The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and IR blaster is a practical touch.
On the front, the device features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with minimal bezels, although the bottom bezel is slightly thicker. Poco claims that the screen offers a 92% screen-to-body ratio.
The display’s bezels are strikingly thin.
The display boasts a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, a 120Hz refresh rate, and full-HD+ resolution, while Gorilla Glass 5 provides protection against scratches and drops.
Poco M7 Pro Performance
The Poco M7 Pro’s display is excellent for media consumption and gaming. It includes three color profiles and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Users can toggle between 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates or rely on the adaptive mode. With 2,100 nits of peak brightness, visibility remains clear in various lighting conditions.
A peak brightness of 2,100 nits enhances well-lit usability.
Poco M7 Pro operates on Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS interface layered over it. Although the phone comes pre-loaded with numerous apps—some of which can be removed—it also garners attention with its software promises. Users can expect two years of OS updates, concluding with Android 16, along with four years of security updates. The user experience during our review was smooth, with no significant lag encountered during routine tasks.
The device runs on the HyperOS overlay on Android 14.
The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset, with options for up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. While the chipset may not be considered top-tier, it handles everyday tasks and gaming adequately. Benchmark results are as follows:
| Benchmarks | Poco M7 Pro | Motorola G64 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench Single | 942 | 1,012 |
| Geekbench Multi | 2,235 | 2,403 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 10,661 | 13,920 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 4,77,196 | 4,94,364 |
| GFXB T-rex | 57 | 70 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 29 | 33 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 16 | 18 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | 2,435 | 2,590 |
| 3DM Slingshot | 3,261 | 3,379 |
| 3DM Wild Life | Not supported | Not supported |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | Not supported | Not supported |
The performance in gaming was commendable, with titles like BGMI and Asphalt 9 functioning smoothly at medium settings. The touch response was satisfactory, and there were no significant complaints.
The M7 Pro is fitted with a dual speaker setup, delivering decent audio quality. While the sound can get loud without distortion at high volumes, it may lack depth. Call quality proved reliable without any instances of dropped calls, and both the microphone and earpiece performed well.
The 20-megapixel selfie camera is discreetly positioned within a hole-punch cutout.
Turning to its camera capabilities, the Poco M7 Pro features a 50-megapixel Sony LYT-600 sensor on the back, accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor, while the front sports a 20-megapixel selfie camera. The primary rear camera yields impressive photo quality in daylight, producing well-defined images with accurate colors and dynamic range. Low-light performance is passable, with some noise but adequate detail retention.
Photos from the main rear camera, plus 2x zoom shots [Click to view more]
The 2x zoom and portrait mode deliver respectable results, capturing natural skin tones and achieving accurate edge detection. Selfies are nice, displaying a good amount of detail and realistic skin tones, although this is mostly true in well-lit settings. The low-light results are acceptable when lighting conditions are somewhat favorable.
Low-light examples: (Top) primary camera, (Bottom) 2x zoom [Click to view more]
For video capabilities, the device supports 1080p recording at 30fps from both the rear and front cameras. The video quality from the rear camera is satisfactory, featuring good detail and color accuracy, although stability can falter during fast movements or panning shots. The front camera’s performance is similarly adequate in well-lit conditions.
Selfies captured in daylight are impressive.
In terms of battery performance, the Poco M7 Pro houses a 5,100mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging, with the necessary charger included in the package. In an HD video loop test, the phone lasted approximately 18 hours, and a full recharge took around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Poco M7 Pro Verdict
The Poco M7 Pro offers significant value for its price point. With multiple enhancements over its predecessor, it excels in various aspects, including its large AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, commendable primary rear camera, and overall competent performance. However, some aspects, such as the software experience and low-light camera performance, may leave users wanting more. Overall, this device stands as a robust choice in the budget mid-range smartphone arena.
For those exploring alternatives, the Motorola G64 (Review) provides slightly better performance and a more refined software experience. The iQOO Z9x (Review) offers superior performance, while the Redmi Note 14 5G comes with similar specifications but features an impressive 108-megapixel main camera and ultrawide sensor. However, the latter option carries a higher price tag.
