Xiaomi Poco F7 Review: Serious Bang For Your Buck

The Poco F7 is finally here, joining the ranks of the F7 Pro and F7 Ultra. This new addition boasts some impressive features, most notably the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. This chip is a step down from the 8 Elite but a significant leap ahead of the 7-series processors, making it a powerful yet affordable option for smartphone users.

Design & Build:

The Poco F7 comes with an aluminium frame and a plastic back, giving it a premium look and feel. The phone is available in three color options – black, white, and a limited edition silver model. Despite the plastic back, the phone still exudes a glass-like appearance. The phone is IP68 water and dust resistant, adding to its durability.

Screen & Speakers:

The F7 features a large 6.83-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3200 nits. The slim bezels around the display give the phone a premium look, while the dual stereo speakers provide excellent audio quality for gaming and media consumption.

Specs & Performance:

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, the Poco F7 delivers impressive performance in benchmarks and real-world usage. With 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, the phone can handle multitasking and gaming with ease. The phone runs smoothly, even when running demanding games with maxed-out settings.

Cameras:

The Poco F7 features a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 20MP selfie camera. While the main camera performs well in various lighting conditions, the ultrawide lens is mediocre. The selfie camera delivers decent results, especially in low-light conditions. The phone supports video recording up to 4K at 60fps, with good stabilization but susceptible to wind noise.

Battery Life & Charging:

One of the standout features of the Poco F7 is its massive 6500mAh battery. While the battery performance is solid, it falls slightly short of expectations. The phone supports 90W wired charging, allowing for quick charging speeds. However, there is no wireless charging option available.

Software & Apps:

The phone runs on Hyper OS 2, based on Android 15, offering a customizable user experience. The OS feels quick and snappy, thanks to the powerful hardware under the hood. However, the phone comes with some pre-installed bloatware, which may detract from the user experience.

Price & Availability:

The Poco F7 is available for order in the UK and Europe, with pricing starting at £389 for the base model. Early buyers can snag the phone for as low as £319 for a limited time. The phone competes with mid-range devices like the Google Pixel 9a and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, offering exceptional performance at an affordable price.

Should you buy the Poco F7?

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly phone with top-notch performance for gaming and multitasking, the Poco F7 is a compelling choice. While the camera system may not be as versatile as some competitors, the phone excels in performance, battery life, and design. Overall, the Poco F7 delivers a flagship-level experience at a fraction of the cost, making it a solid option for tech-savvy users.