POCO F7 Review: A Power-Packed Performer That Redefines the Mid-Range Game
Lately, the 30-40K smartphone segment in India is heating up, and for brands, it means specs aren’t enough—execution matters. POCO seems to understand this well, and with the launch of the POCO F7 at ₹35,999, it’s aiming to raise the bar again. The F7 brings a flagship-grade Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, a massive 7550mAh battery, and a stunning AMOLED display. On paper, it looks like one of the most feature-rich phones in its segment. But does it deliver on all fronts in real-world use? We put the POCO F7 through its paces to find out if it’s just hype or the real deal.
Design That Feels Premium, Though a Bit Heavy
POCO has tried something bold with the design of the F7—especially in the Cyber Silver variant. It features a unique dual-tone finish with black and metallic grey accents that make the phone look futuristic and fast. While the glossy rear adds flair, it also picks up fingerprints quite easily.
At 222g, it isn’t a light phone, but it does have a sleek 7.98mm thickness which helps balance the weight. The curved edges and button placements feel well thought out, though one-handed usage is tricky due to the sheer size of the display.
Where it surprises is in durability. The F7 comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection and boasts IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance—features that are rare even in pricier smartphones. This makes the device much more rugged than its slim profile would suggest.
Brilliant Display That’s a Treat for Content Lovers
The 6.83-inch AMOLED panel on the POCO F7 is among the best in its class. It offers a 1.5K resolution, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and an astonishing 3200 nits peak brightness. Whether you’re outdoors under harsh sunlight or indoors watching Netflix, the screen delivers clear, punchy visuals.
The display also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Wet Touch 2.0—handy during monsoon weather. Colors are vibrant, contrast levels are excellent, and the 3840Hz PWM dimming ensures eye comfort during extended use. If display quality is a top priority, the F7 will not disappoint.
HyperOS Offers a Cleaner, Smoother Android Experience
The POCO F7 runs Xiaomi’s new HyperOS based on Android 15. Compared to MIUI, it feels far more refined. Animations are smoother, multitasking is snappy, and general usability has seen a clear improvement.
You still get a few pre-installed apps, but they don’t bog down the system. Notification management and permission controls are more intuitive now. The software finally feels like it’s catching up with the hardware—and that’s great news for users looking for a fluid, lag-free Android experience.
Performance Is Flagship-Level in Day-to-Day Use
Let’s get to the star of the show—the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip. Built on TSMC’s 4nm architecture, this processor brings flagship-level firepower to the mid-range segment. It handles everything from multitasking to intensive gaming without breaking a sweat.
The phone pairs this with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. App launches are instant, and switching between tasks is buttery smooth. Games like Genshin Impact and BGMI run on high settings with no noticeable frame drops. The 6000mm² vapor cooling chamber does a great job of keeping temperatures in check during extended play.
In synthetic benchmarks, the F7 crossed 1.88 million on AnTuTu—impressive for its price and class.
Cameras That Get the Job Done, But Leave Room for More
The POCO F7 features a 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX882) with OIS and EIS. In daylight, it captures sharp, well-detailed photos with slightly boosted contrast. Colors are punchy without looking artificial, and the shutter response is quick.
Low-light shots hold up surprisingly well. Night mode balances exposure without turning night into day, keeping things natural. Portraits have accurate edge detection and nice depth blur, although it occasionally softens textures.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera is just average. It struggles with edge clarity and lacks dynamic range. The 20MP front camera, on the other hand, captures sharp selfies and works well for video calls. For casual photography, the F7 holds up well, but it’s not the phone you’d buy just for its cameras.
Battery Life That Goes the Distance
If you want a phone that easily lasts a full day—and then some—the POCO F7 is a solid bet. The 7550mAh battery is massive, and even with heavy use, you’ll often end your day with over 30% left.
The 90W fast charger included in the box takes it from 0 to 50% in just under 30 minutes. A full charge takes around an hour. It also supports 22.5W reverse charging, which is useful for topping up other devices like earbuds or wearables.
This is a phone designed to keep up with long commutes, binge-watching, gaming, and everything in between.
Verdict: A Near-Perfect Mid-Ranger With a Few Trade-Offs
At ₹35,999, the POCO F7 delivers excellent value. It outshines its rivals in key areas like display brightness, battery capacity, and performance. The software feels mature, the phone looks stylish, and the endurance is unmatched.
That said, there’s still room for refinement. The ultra-wide camera underperforms, and the device’s size may bother users who prefer compact phones. Also, while HyperOS is cleaner than before, it’s not entirely free of legacy quirks.
Still, for anyone looking for a well-rounded mid-range Android phone that delivers more than expected, the POCO F7 sets a new standard. It’s not just another mid-range phone—it’s a performance-first device that finally brings balance to the segment.
