Finding a smartphone that nails the basics without burning a hole in your pocket feels like discovering a hidden gem these days. Enter the POCO M7, the latest budget contender from Xiaomi’s value-driven sub-brand. POCO has built a reputation for packing punchy specs into affordable devices, but does the M7 live up to the hype? After spending a week with this phone, here’s my honest take.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The POCO M7 arrives in a no-frills box—charger, USB-C cable and a basic silicone case included.No surprises here, but the phone itself makes a decent first impression.The glossy plastic back (available in Mint Green, Satin Black and Ocean Blue) catches the eye,though it’s a fingerprint magnet.At 6.88 inches,HD+ with 120Hz refresh rate.the display dominates the front, with slim bezels and a waterdrop notch for the selfie camera. It’s lightweight and sits comfortably in the hand,though the plastic build doesn’t scream “premium”—but then again, neither does its price tag.
The 6.88-inch IPS LCD screen is bright enough for indoor use, though sunlight visibility is just okay. Colors pop reasonably well for streaming Netflix or scrolling Instagram, but don’t expect the deep blacks or vibrancy of an AMOLED panel. The 120Hz refresh rate (a rarity in this segment) makes scrolling feel smoother than most budget phones, though it’s not always consistent.
Performance: Smooth Sailing… Mostly
Under the hood, the POCO M7 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset paired with up to 8GB of RAM.For everyday tasks—like juggling WhatsApp, YouTube, and a dozen Chrome tabs—it holds up surprisingly well. Apps open quickly and switching between them rarely stutters.Casual gamers will appreciate how it handles titles like COD Mobile or Genshin Impact at medium settings, though you’ll notice frame drops during intense action. Heavy multitaskers might crave more RAM, but for the average user, it’s a solid performer.
Where things get tricky is the software. The phone ships with Android 14 layered under Xiaomi’s MIUI skin. While MIUI offers tons of customization (themes, widgets, etc.), it’s bogged down by bloatware. Pre-installed apps like Netflix and Facebook can’t be uninstalled, and occasional ads in system apps feel intrusive. On the bright side, POCO promises two years of Android updates, which is reassuring for a budget device.
Battery Life: The Marathon Runner
If there’s one area where the POCO M7 shines, it’s battery life. The 5160mAh battery easily lasts a full day (and then some) with moderate use. I consistently clocked 8–10 hours of screen time—binge-watching shows, scrolling TikTok, and texting—without needing a charger. When it does die, the included 18W fast charger juices it up to 50% in 40 minutes. It’s not the fastest charging out there, but it gets the job done.
Cameras: Good Enough, But Don’t Push It
A 50MP primary sensor takes clear, detailed, and color-accurate pictures during the day. Although dynamic range is limited—bright skies are frequently blown out—landscapes and close-ups appear Instagram-ready.In well-lit conditions, the 8MP selfie camera performs admirably, and its edge detection in portrait mode is decent.
However, the flaws are most noticeable in low-light photography. In the absence of a specific night mode, images become blurry and grainy.Since the macro mode has trouble focusing, the depth sensor seems like a token addition.The maximum video recording speed is 1080p/30 frames per second, and the lack of stabilization causes shaky footage quickly.The M7 is a good camera for casual photographers, but don’t expect Pixel-level performance.
Extras: Nails the Basics
The POCO M7 checks all the essential boxes: a loud (if tinny) speaker, a reliable side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a headphone jack for wired audio lovers. It supports 4G,5G,Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.The plastic build might not feel luxurious, but it’s durable enough for daily use.
Should You Buy the POCO M7?
Pros:
- Stellar battery life.
- Smooth performance for casual use.
- Attractive price (starting under ₹ 10,340).
Cons:
- Mediocre low-light cameras.
- Bloatware-heavy software.
- No 5G support.
Final Verdict
The POCO M7 is a no-brainer for budget buyers who prioritize battery and performance over camera chops. It’s perfect for students, light users, or anyone needing a reliable backup phone. But if photography or bloat-free software tops your list, consider stretching your budget slightly.
Where to Buy
The POCO M7 is available on Amazon, Flipkart, and POCO’s official website in select regions. Prices vary, but you’ll often find flash sales slashing costs even further.
Specification
| Key Specs |
| RAM & Storage | 6 GB RAM + 128 GB 8 GB RAM + 128 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
| Battery | 5160 mAh |
| Display | 6.88 inches (17.48 cm) |
| General |
| Launch Date | March 7, 2025 (Official) |
| Operating System | Android v14 |
| OS Updates | 2 Years |
| Security Updates | 4 Years |
| Custom UI | HyperOS |
| Performance |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 |
| CPU | Octa core (2.2 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A78 + 1.95 GHz, Hexa Core,Cortex A55) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 613 |
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| Display |
| Display Type | IPS LCD |
| Screen Size | 6.88 inches (17.48 cm) |
| Resolution | 720×1640 px (HD+) |
| Peak Brightness | 600 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 260 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) | 84.18 % |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Design |
| Height | 171.88 mm |
| Width | 77.8 mm |
| Thickness | 8.22 mm |
| Weight | 205 grams |
| Build Material | Back: Plastic |
| Water Resistance | Yes, Splash proof, IP52 |
| Ruggedness | Dust proof |
| Camera |
| Main Camera |
| Resolution | 50 MP Primary Camera,f/1.8, Wide Angle (1/2.9″ sensor size, IMX852, CMOS image sensor, Exmor-RS CMOS Sensor) |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) Burst mode |
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Filters Touch to focus Voice Shutter |
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps |
| Front Camera |
| Resolution | 8 MP f/2.0, Wide Angle, Primary Camera |
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps |
| Battery |
| Capacity | 5160 mAh |
| Quick Charging | Yes, 18W Fast Charging |
| Storage |
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | Yes, Up to 1 TB |
| Storage Type | UFS 2.2 |
| USB OTG | Yes |
| Network & Connectivity |
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network Support | 5G, 4G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| SIM 1 | 5G Bands: FDD N1 / N2 / N3 / N5 / N7 / N8 / N20 / N26 / N28 TDD N38 / N40 / N41 / N48 / N66 / N77 / N78 4G Bands: TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 3500(band 42) FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 1900(band 2) / 1700(band 4) / 850(band 5) / 850(band 18) / 850(band 19) / 800(band 20) / 850(band 26) |
| SIM 2 | 5G Bands: FDD N1 / N2 / N3 / N5 / N7 / N8 / N20 / N26 / N28 TDD N38 / N40 / N41 / N48 / N66 / N77 / N78 4G Bands: TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41) / 3500(band 42) FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 1900(band 2) / 1700(band 4) / 850(band 5) / 850(band 18) / 850(band 19) / 800(band 20) / 850(band 26) |
| SAR Value | Head: 0.851 W/kg, Body: 0.764 W/kg |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.0 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| NFC | No |
| Multimedia |
| FM Radio | Yes, Recording option |
| Audio Jack | 3.5 mm |
| Sensors |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Side |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass |
FAQ
1. Is the POCO M7 water resistant ?
Yes,the POCO M7 is officially rated as IP52 (splash proof) for resistance to water and dust.
2. What processor does the POCO M7 use ?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset,which is optimized for light gaming and fluid multitasking, powers it.
3. What is the POCO M7’s RAM and storage capacity ?
It has expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB and is available in 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB versions.
4. Is there a headphone jack on the POCO M7 ?
Yes,the 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio is still present.
5. What is the battery life of the POCO M7 ?
With moderate use (8–10 hours of screen time), the 5160mAh battery easily lasts 1.5–2 days.
6. Is fast charging supported ?
Yes, a 18W fast charger that can reach 50% charge in about 40 minutes is included in the box.
7. Can the POCO M7 run demanding games like Genshin Impact ?
Heavy games may lag at high graphics settings but it can manage light gaming (like COD Mobile) at medium settings.
8. Does the POCO M7 have a fingerprint sensor ?
Yes,it has a fingerprint sensor on the side for security and a face unlock feature.
9. How well does the POCO M7’s camera perform in dim lighting ?
Photos taken in low light have soft details and noise.There isn’t a specific Night Mode.
10. Does it have simultaneous support for microSD and dual SIM ?
It does indeed have a hybrid SIM tray that can hold either two nano-SIMs or one SIM and one microSD card.
11. Does using the POCO M7 cause it to overheat ?
While playing games for extended periods of time it may warm up a little.
