Poco M7 Pro 5G: The Ultimate Budget Smartphone Championship Below ₹15K!

Poco has launched a new player in the budget category with the introduction of the Poco M7 Pro 5G. Equipped with features such as the Dimensity 7025 Ultra chip, 50 MP OIS camera, and a 120 Hz AMOLED screen, the Poco M7 Pro aims to invigorate the affordable smartphone arena. Let’s explore further and compare how it fares against its rivals.

Design

Poco has chosen a distinctive dual-tone design for the M7 Pro’s back panel. The rear section showcases a mix of shiny and matte finishes, producing an appealing visual effect. The Lunar Dust variant, which I assessed, enhances the phone’s upscale impression. The metallic camera surround integrates seamlessly with the back panel, offering a unified look. Constructed from plastic, the phone is lightweight and comfortable to use. Nonetheless, the glossy exterior can be a bit slippery, so I recommend utilizing the included phone case for improved grip. An in-display fingerprint sensor has been incorporated, which is quick, efficient, and contributes to the device’s overall luxurious feel.

The standard button and port placements are present. On the right side are the power button and volume controls. The top features a 3.5mm headphone jack, an IR blaster, and an extra microphone. The base has a speaker grille, USB Type-C port, and a hybrid SIM tray (capable of holding dual SIMs or 1 SIM + 1 microSD card). The M7 Pro is rated IP64, ensuring resistance against dust and light splashes, enhancing its durability for daily use.

Display

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is outfitted with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display featuring Full HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. This combination guarantees crisp visuals, vibrant hues, and smooth scrolling. Enjoying media or playing games on this display is delightful, thanks to the deep blacks and exceptional contrast characteristic of AMOLED screens.

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The display also supports HDR10, enriching videos with more vivid colors. When compared to competitors such as the Moto G85 and Nothing CMF Phone 1, which use pOLED and AMOLED displays respectively, the M7 Pro competes well, delivering comparable vibrancy and clarity at a compelling price.

OS

Operating on Android 14 with HyperOS overlay, the Poco M7 Pro provides a polished and user-friendly software environment. The device comes with AI functionalities, including AI Image Enhancer and AI Erase.

Performance

The Poco M7 Pro is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra processor, coupled with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. This chipset is designed to manage routine tasks effortlessly, ensuring smooth multitasking and competent gaming capabilities.

On Geekbench, the M7 Pro achieved scores of 948 in the single-core and 2246 in the multi-core evaluations. Though these figures may not compete with flagship models, they outpace devices such as the Moto G45 (944 single-core, 2107 multi-core) and hold steady against the Nothing CMF Phone 1, which features the Dimensity 6100+. This situates the M7 Pro as one of the superior performers in its category.

Gaming is pleasurable, with Call of Duty Mobile and BGMI operating seamlessly at medium to high settings. The device exhibits commendable thermal management during extended gameplay, exhibiting minimal heating. However, for more demanding titles, slight frame drops may be experienced. For gaming enthusiasts, the Moto G85, powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, slightly surpasses in sustained performance, making it a more suitable choice for intense gaming.

Camera

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is equipped with a dual-camera arrangement featuring a 50 MP main sensor (f/1.5 aperture) and a 2 MP depth sensor. The primary camera comes with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS). This feature empowers the M7 Pro to capture clearer images with diminished blur, even in low-light scenarios.

Poco M7 Pro 5G camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan

Under daylight conditions, the camera produces well-defined and colorful images with substantial dynamic range. Edge detection in portrait modes is accurate, and the background bokeh appears authentic. Photographs maintain excellent color fidelity, steering clear of the oversaturation commonly found in budget smartphones.

Poco M7 Pro 5G camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan

In low-light settings, performance remains impressive. The Night mode enhances shadows while diminishing noise, allowing for bright and sharp image capture even in difficult situations. The front-facing 20 MP selfie camera provides crisp images. AI enhancements further polish selfies, offering features such as skin smoothing and background blur.

Battery

The Poco M7 Pro 5G is powered by a 5,110 mAh battery, ensuring all-day endurance with regular usage. Even after hours of gaming, streaming, and photography, the device comfortably lasts the entire day. It supports 45 W fast charging, filling up the battery in roughly 1:20 – 1:30 hours. The inclusion of fast charging is a notable benefit, decreasing downtime and ensuring users remain charged throughout the day.

Verdict

The Poco M7 Pro 5G strongly positions itself under ₹15K, especially for users prioritizing performance, display quality, and photography. Its 50 MP OIS camera surpasses competitors like the CMF Phone 1, particularly in low-light scenarios. Nevertheless, for those who value sustained performance or build quality, the Moto G85 and CMF Phone 1 are worthy competitors, showcasing better long-lasting performance and more robust materials such as Corning Gorilla Glass. The Poco M7 Pro 5G begins at ₹13,999.