The Poco M7 Pro made its debut in the Indian market towards the end of 2024, positioning itself as a compelling mid-range contender under ₹15,000. For its entry-level price tag, the phone packs a punch with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display (120Hz refresh rate), a 5,110mAh battery , a MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset , and a dual-camera system led by a 50MP primary sensor. At first glance, it checks all the boxes for a modern budget smartphone: vibrant visuals, all-day battery life, and smooth performance for everyday tasks.
Poco has carved a niche for itself by delivering feature-rich devices that punch above their weight, and the M7 Pro seems no different. While its spec sheet promises a solid blend of power and polish, the real test lies in how well it balances these features in daily use. Does this budget-friendly device truly deliver on its promises, or does it fall short when put to the test? We’ve spent hands-on time with the M7 Pro to uncover its strengths, quirks, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash. Read on for our full breakdown.
Poco M7 Pro Design: Balancing Style, Durability, and Practicality
The Poco M7 Pro arrives in three understated yet striking color variants: Lavender Frost, Lunar Dust, and Olive Twilight . Our review unit in Lunar Dust immediately caught attention with its subtle, textured finish and clever use of contrasting textures. The back panel splits into two distinct zones: one side features a subtle, sand-like grain (reminiscent of moon dust), while the other half adopts a smooth matte finish . This two-tone aesthetic, combined with the squared-off camera module, gives the phone a surprisingly upscale vibe for its budget-friendly price tag.
Crafted entirely from plastic , the M7 Pro’s build prioritizes lightness over luxury. At 190 grams and a svelte 7.99mm thickness , it’s compact enough to handle comfortably, though the glossy rear finish does attract fingerprints. The frame, also matte-finished, blends seamlessly with the back, creating a cohesive look. While the material choices won’t fool anyone into thinking it’s a flagship, the thoughtful design elevates its appeal beyond typical budget phones.
One standout detail is the camera module’s curved edges , which soften its angular profile. The module houses the 50MP primary lens and a secondary sensor, flanked by Poco’s bold branding and a discreet 5G logo near the bottom. Though plastic dominates the construction, the layout feels intentional—avoiding the cluttered look of some mid-range rivals.
Poco M7 Pro Durability
Durability gets a boost with an IP64 dust and splash resistance rating , an upgrade from the M6 Pro’s IP52. While not fully waterproof, it’s reassuring for everyday use. On the sides, the power button and volume rocker sit comfortably within reach, offering tactile feedback. The bottom edge hosts a USB-C port , dual speaker grilles, a microphone, and a SIM tray slot . Notably, Poco retains the 3.5mm headphone jack and IR blaster on the top edge—a rarity in budget phones, adding practical value for users who value wired audio or smart-home control.
Flipping to the front, the 6.67-inch AMOLED display dominates the design. Slim side bezels and a punch-hole cutout maximize screen real estate, though the bottom bezel is slightly thicker , impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio of 92% . The panel itself impresses with 2,100 nits of peak brightness , ensuring readability even under direct sunlight, and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 —a solid choice for scratch resistance.
While the Poco M7 Pro leans on plastic to keep costs low, its design strikes a balance between modernity and functionality. The dual-speaker setup, IP64 rating, and retention of legacy ports make it a well-rounded option for users who want style without sacrificing utility. However, the glossy rear and lack of premium materials might leave some wanting more. Read on to see how its performance and features measure up.
Poco M7 Pro Display
The Poco M7 Pro’s 6.67-inch AMOLED display immediately impresses with its 2,100 nits of peak brightness , ensuring readability even under harsh sunlight. The panel supports HDR10+ , Dolby Vision , and a 120Hz refresh rate (with adaptive or manual switching between 60Hz/120Hz). Colors are punchy in Vivid mode, while Natural mode offers more accurate tones—though the latter lacks fine-tuning options like manual white balance.
Beyond specs, the screen excels in practical use. Scrolling through social feeds or navigating apps feels fluid, and the 92% screen-to-body ratio (aided by slim side bezels) makes media consumption immersive. However, the thicker bottom bezel is noticeable during full-screen video playback.
Poco M7 Pro Software
Running Android 14 with Xiaomi’s HyperOS , the M7 Pro delivers a polished interface with smooth animations and gesture navigation. The UI is intuitive, with features like app shortcuts and dual-app mode. However, the pre-installed bloatware—think Mi Store, Clean Master, and Facebook—can be uninstalled or disabled during setup.
Poco promises two years of major OS updates (ending at Android 16) and four years of security patches , a decent commitment for a budget phone. Daily usage remains snappy, with apps launching quickly and multitasking handling up to 8–10 apps without hiccups.
Poco M7 Pro Performance Review
MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra
The MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6nm process) powers the M7 Pro, paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage . While not a flagship-grade chipset, it holds its own in daily tasks and moderate gaming:
Benchmark | Poco M7 Pro | Motorola G64 |
---|---|---|
AnTuTu | 477,196 | 494,364 |
Geekbench Multi-Core | 2,235 | 2,403 |
PCMark Work 3.0 | 10,661 | 13,920 |
Real-world performance aligns with these scores. Apps like WhatsApp, Chrome, and Instagram open swiftly, and BGMI runs smoothly at Medium settings (60fps locked). Asphalt 9 also performs well, though frame drops occur during intense action sequences. Thermal management is decent—no throttling during 30-minute gaming sessions, though the phone warms slightly.
Gaming & Thermal Management
For casual gamers, the M7 Pro is reliable. BGMI at Medium settings delivers consistent 60fps, while Asphalt 9 handles high-speed races without stutter. However, the lack of stereo speakers and vapor-chamber cooling limits immersion compared to rivals like the iQOO Z10x. Touch response is responsive, but the single speaker’s lack of bass and occasional muffling during gameplay is a letdown.
Audio: Loud but Lacks Depth
The dual-speaker setup delivers surprisingly loud volume, ideal for video calls or YouTube shorts. However, bass is minimal, and high volumes introduce distortion. Call quality is crisp, with the earpiece and microphone handling voice clarity well—even in noisy environments.
Camera: Decent for Casual Snaps
The triple-camera system includes:
- 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor (f/1.7, OIS)
- 2MP depth sensor
- 20MP selfie camera
Daylight Photography:
- Sharp details, accurate white balance, and decent dynamic range.
- Portraits and 2x zoom shots are usable but lack edge refinement.
Low-Light Performance:
- Acceptable detail retention but visible noise in darker scenes.
- Night mode attempts to brighten scenes but over-smooths textures.
Selfies & Video:
- Daylight selfies are detailed with natural skin tones; low-light shots suffer from graininess.
- 1080p video recording is stable but struggles with stabilization during fast movement.
Battery Life & Charging: All-Day Power with Room for Speed
A 5,100mAh battery ensures 1.5–2 days of moderate use (social media, 4K streaming, light gaming). In our HD video loop test , the phone lasted 18 hours —a strong result for its class.
45W fast charging fills the battery in 1 hour 10 minutes , and the included charger in the box is a welcome touch. However, rivals like the CMF Phone 1 (33W) and Realme P3x 5G (60W) charge faster, though not always at the same price point.
Final Thoughts on Performance
The Poco M7 Pro isn’t a powerhouse, but it strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. Its AMOLED display , smooth UI , and all-day battery life make it a solid pick for budget-conscious users. However, the average gaming performance , camera consistency , and single speaker hold it back from true mid-range dominance.
Poco M7 Pro Verdict: A Balanced Mid-Range Pick with Trade-Offs
At its launch price of under ₹15,000 , the Poco M7 Pro emerges as a compelling option in the crowded budget smartphone segment. It delivers where it matters most: a vibrant AMOLED display , all-day battery life , and smooth daily performance . Compared to its predecessor, the M6 Pro, this iteration improves on key areas like screen brightness, chip efficiency, and design aesthetics. However, its shortcomings—particularly in software polish and low-light photography—prevent it from being a flawless choice.
Strengths That Shine
- Display Excellence: The 6.67” AMOLED panel with 2,100 nits peak brightness and HDR10+ support is one of the best in its class. Whether streaming videos or gaming, the screen’s clarity and color accuracy stand out.
- Battery Life: A 5,100mAh battery paired with 45W fast charging ensures users rarely worry about power. The included charger is a bonus in an era where many brands skip it.
- Daily Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra may not be a gaming beast, but it handles multitasking, apps, and casual games like BGMI without hiccups. For non-hardcore users, it’s more than sufficient.
- Camera Versatility: The 50MP primary sensor captures detailed daylight shots with natural tones, and the 2x zoom and portrait mode are usable for social media-centric users.
Weaknesses to Consider
- Software Bloat: While HyperOS is smooth, the pre-installed apps and limited customization options (e.g., no manual white balance tuning) feel outdated for 2025.
- Low-Light Photography: Night shots lack detail retention and suffer from noise, making it less ideal for enthusiasts.
- Audio Limitations: The single speaker’s lack of bass and punchiness dampens multimedia experiences, especially during movies or games.
How Does It Compare?
While the M7 Pro holds its own, here’s how it stacks up against key rivals:
- Motorola G64: Slightly sharper performance (Snapdragon 6 Gen 3), cleaner UI, and better low-light camera, but lacks a headphone jack and AMOLED display.
- iQOO Z9x: Offers a larger 6,000mAh battery and 120Hz LCD (lower contrast) but falls short in camera versatility and software refinement.
- Redmi Note 14 5G: Matches the M7 Pro in specs but adds a 108MP primary sensor and ultrawide lens at a slightly higher price. Its IP68 rating also adds durability, but the display and battery lag behind.
Final Take: Who Should Buy the Poco M7 Pro?
The Poco M7 Pro is best suited for users who prioritize display quality , battery endurance , and a clean design over niche features like ultra-wide cameras or flagship-tier gaming specs. It’s a step up from the M6 Pro, but its appeal hinges on your priorities:
✅ Buy It If:
- You want a bright AMOLED screen for media consumption.
- All-day battery life and fast charging matter more than camera versatility.
- You’re okay with occasional software bloat and average low-light photography.
❌ Skip It If:
- You need top-tier night photography or stereo speakers .
- You prefer clean, bloat-free software (consider the CMF Phone 1 instead).
- You value ultra-wide lenses or premium build materials (look at the Nothing Phone (2A)).
Bottom Line
The Poco M7 Pro isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a well-rounded mid-ranger that nails the basics. Its AMOLED display, battery stamina, and daily performance make it a strong contender for budget buyers. However, its software quirks and inconsistent camera output mean it’s not the perfect all-rounder. If you’re willing to overlook its flaws, it’s a phone that delivers more than its price tag suggests—just don’t expect perfection.
The Poco M7 Pro is a budget-friendly winner for users who prioritize screen quality , battery stamina , and lightweight design . While its software quirks and average camera hold it back from flagship status. If you’re willing to overlook minor flaws, it’s a solid choice under ₹15,000.
A solid mid-range smartphone with standout screen and battery life, but minor compromises in software and photography.
Pros
- AMOLED Display
- All-Day Battery Life
- IP64 Durability
Cons
- Average Low-Light Camera
- Software Bloat
- Single Speaker
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Display9.5
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Performance8
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Features8
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Usability8.5
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Battery Life9.8
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Camera5.5