POCO M7 Plus Review

The budget smartphone race in India has always been intense. Every brand tries to pack the best features while keeping prices accessible. POCO’s M-series has long been a reliable choice in this space. Now, the new POCO M7 Plus, priced at ₹14,999, raises the stakes by offering features rarely seen under 15K. With a 7000 mAh battery, a 6.9-inch 144Hz display, and a 50MP AI camera, it looks like a powerhouse on paper. But the big question is whether the M7 Plus is truly pushing the limits or just going bigger without solving the basics. Let’s find out.

Design

The first impression is unmistakable — the POCO M7 Plus is a large phone with a 6.9 inches display. In hand, it feels solid but also heavy. The carbon black finish does give it a premium look, and the matte texture keeps fingerprints away. Yet, the bulkiness may not appeal to users who prefer sleek designs.

Ports and buttons are in the right places, and the tactile feel of the power and volume keys is reassuring. The IP64 rating is a step up from the M6, making it more durable for daily use. However, POCO sticks with a mono speaker, which gets loud but feels limited compared to stereo setups on rivals like the iQOO Z10x. The missing headphone jack is also a letdown in this price band.

Display

The 6.9-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate is the star feature here. Scrolling feels fluid, gaming is smoother, and binge-watching movies becomes a more immersive experience. POCO’s “pocket theatre” tagline makes sense when you actually hold the device.

That said, brightness could have been better. Outdoor readability lags behind phones like the Moto G85. Indoors, colors look vibrant, and contrast is respectable for an LCD. Still, an OLED panel would have taken the experience to the next level, and competitors are already offering that in the same range.

Software and AI

The POCO M7 Plus runs on HyperOS, Xiaomi’s lighter, cleaner interface. Compared to the MIUI-heavy experience on the older M6, this is a big relief. There’s less clutter, smoother animations, and fewer unwanted apps.

The inclusion of AI features like Circle to Search, AI Eraser, and AI Sky Editing makes the phone feel more advanced. These tools are not just gimmicks — for younger users who love editing photos and creating social content, they add real value. This is an area where the M7 Plus clearly feels modern compared to its peers.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, the M7 Plus delivers solid day-to-day performance. Apps open quickly, multitasking feels smooth, and browsing is lag-free. Benchmark scores show a clear improvement over the M6, and it even edges ahead of the Moto G85 in some tests.

For gaming, the large screen and high refresh rate help a lot. Titles like BGMI and Call of Duty run at high settings with stable frame rates. Heat management is also good, though the mono speaker holds back the audio experience. The iQOO Z10x remains the stronger gaming option in this price bracket, but the M7 Plus is dependable for casual and mid-level players.

Camera

The 50MP AI rear camera delivers sharp daylight shots with natural colors. Portraits look decent, though skin tones sometimes appear overly smooth. Low-light performance is average, with the Moto G85 still leading due to OIS support.

Selfies, however, are a highlight. The front camera handles tones well and is reliable for social media uploads. On the downside, the camera app occasionally froze during testing, and once even shut down unexpectedly. Besides that, the camera delivers great results within this price segment.

Battery

The 7000 mAh battery is the showstopper. It easily powers through two days of moderate use and comfortably handles heavy gaming or streaming for a full day. This is significantly ahead of rivals, most of which stop at 5000–6000 mAh.

Charging is capped at 33W, which feels modest, but still gets the job done in about two hours. The ability to reverse charge other devices adds a layer of practicality, turning the M7 Plus into a backup power bank. This feature alone makes it stand out for students, travelers, and heavy users.

Verdict

At ₹14,999, the POCO M7 Plus makes a strong case as one of the most balanced budget phones right now. Its huge battery, smooth display, and reliable performance set it apart from older M-series models. Yet, the bulky design, mono speaker, and camera glitches remind you it’s not flawless.

If you want endurance and entertainment in one package, the M7 Plus is hard to ignore. However, if sleek design or gaming-first performance is your priority, phones like the Moto G85 or iQOO Z10x might serve you better.

The POCO M7 is certainly pushing the limits of what a ₹15K phone can offer.