The Poco M7 Pro has just launched in India and I’ve been using it for about a week now. For a phone priced under Rs 15,000 Rupees, it offers a decent set of specs. What’s even more interesting is how closely these specs align with the recently launched Redmi Note 14 5G. That’s no surprise considering both Redmi and POCO are sub-brands of Xiaomi.
In this review we dive into what sets the POCO M7 Pro apart, and who should actually consider buying this phone.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Design
Let’s start by taking a quick look at the design. The Poco M7 Pro comes in three colors: olive green, grey, and this lovely lavender shade I have here. It’s great to see such a nice range of colors in this price segment.
The build is mostly plastic on the back and sides, but I appreciate how resistant it is to fingerprints. Plus, the dual-tone finish with those wavy patterns on the right side adds a unique touch! The design does remind me a lot of the Redmi Note 14 Pro.
One good feature here is the IP64 certification. While it’s not the highest water and dust resistance rating, it’s definitely a nice bonus for this price range, where such features aren’t exactly common.
Another big plus is the front display, which is protected by Gorilla Glass 5—always a welcome addition for durability.
Overall, I found the design pretty appealing, especially for an affordable phone like this. However, once you hold it, you can definitely tell it’s a budget device.
That said, it’s not bad at all in terms of ergonomics. The phone weighs 190 grams and has a slim profile under 8mm thick, making it comfortable to hold. The rounded corners also help with grip, and you get some handy essentials like a dual SIM slot with microSD card support and an IR blaster.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Audio
For those who prefer wired audio, you’ll be happy to know it still has a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are even stereo speakers. While the sound quality didn’t exactly blow me away, at least it’s stereo! And if you like your audio loud, there’s a “volume mode enhancer” that cranks it up to 300%. It’s not for everyone, but hey, the option is there.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Display
Poco’s gone with a Full HD+ gOLED panel, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer specs: 2100 nits of peak brightness, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. Outdoors, the brightness is very solid, making the screen easy to read even under direct sunlight.
The refresh rate is also genuinely smooth, making everyday tasks like scrolling or swiping through apps feel snappy, and the stable viewing angles ensure no noticeable color shift even when you tilt the phone. Streaming fans will be happy to know that HDR10+ support elevates the experience with deeper contrasts and richer visuals. However, while the blacks are indeed rich, it can’t fully replicate the finesse of higher-end AMOLED panels—it’s good for the price, but you’ll notice the difference side-by-side with premium devices.
There’s an in-display fingerprint scanner here that works super fast, and feels reliable every time.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Battery & Charging
The POCO M7 Pro also does well in the battery department with its 5,110 mAh battery, easily lasting through a day of regular use. I consistently saw the phone lasting for 1-2 days with ease, with a screen-on time of about 6-7 hours. The 45W charger included in the box charges the phone to 50% in around 35 minutes, which is a handy feature for quick top-ups.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Performance
Under the hood, the Poco M7 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset. For everyday use—like casual browsing, social media scrolling, streaming, and messaging—it gets the job done. It even handles games like BGMI quite well, running smoothly without any noticeable lags.
However, this isn’t a performance powerhouse. Multitasking and demanding gaming sessions reveal its limitations, with the CPU Throttle test showing signs of struggle under heavy loads.
Then there’s the memory and storage standards—LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. While they’re functional, they’re also quite outdated by today’s standards. USB 2.0 further adds to the “old school” vibe, and in 2024, this feels like a noticeable miss, especially as faster options become the norm in this price range.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Software and Connectivity
Let’s talk software, which has its strengths but doesn’t shy away from a few issues. The Poco M7 Pro ships with Xiaomi's HyperOS based on Android 14, and it’s smooth and functional overall. Xiaomi is offering two years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates, which feels fair for this price range, but honestly, it would’ve been great to see one more year of OS upgrades.
On the downside, there’s the usual suspect: bloatware. It’s not overwhelming, but it’s still there, and while you can uninstall most of the unnecessary apps, it takes time and effort.
Xiaomi also promises future updates will bring AI features like AI Eraser and AI Sky Replacement, which could be fun to use. For now, though, these are promises we’ll have to wait and see fulfilled.
Connectivity options like Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, and support for 7 5G bands ensure you’re covered on the basics, even if there’s nothing groundbreaking here.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Camera
Camera wise, The POCO M7 Pro features a 50MP primary sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor, and for selfies, you're looking at a 20MP front camera. In general, the camera system does well in favourable lighting conditions—particularly in daylight. The primary camera does a solid job of capturing fine details, offering decent dynamic range, and delivering fairly accurate colours.
However, there are a couple of issues to consider. The portrait mode struggles with edge detection, so don’t expect perfect bokeh effects. As for the selfie camera, it’s very much in the average range. In short, the camera system here is not a game-changer, but if you're using it for casual photography in good lighting, it’s more than enough.
Poco M7 Pro 5G: Verdict
The POCO M7 Pro really gives off Redmi Note 14 5G vibes, but at a more affordable price. The base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage starts at Rs 14,999 excluding discounts, while the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant costs Rs 16,999. So, if you’re looking to get a good deal, this one makes sense—you’re getting pretty much the same experience but for less money.
That said, the competition in this price range is pretty fierce, with brands like Realme and iQOO offering solid alternatives. The M7 Pro has to compete with some strong contenders, for sure. But if you’re someone who wants an affordable 5G phone with a nice design, solid everyday performance and long battery backup, this is definitely a phone worth considering.
Also watch: iQOO 13 Review ft. Comparison with Realme GT 7 Pro!
