Xiaomi Poco X7 review

For just a few years now, the smartphone market has been stale. The place innovation has arrived, it has executed so in little bursts – a barely higher digicam, a touch improved show – however it has typically additionally introduced downgrades, as producers penny pinch to spice up income.

To unravel this, disruption is the antidote, a top quality within the DNA of Poco, the Chinese language model behind one of the well-known “Flagship killers” ever, 2018’s Pocophone F1. With its new lineup consisting of the X7 and X7 Professional, we see an organization working in a unique context, with much more intense competitors, however with the identical mission, to distinguish on value however not on high quality.

These are telephones constructed to impress, no less than on paper, with a seize bag of options which bely their value factors. For some, that alone might be sufficient. However as confirmed with the F1, a profitable smartphone isn’t only a hodgepodge of off-the-shelf options rammed collectively, it’s an expertise.

The Poco X7 has an arguably harder job on this respect than its extra premium sibling. The place the X7 Professional can afford to be a bit fancier, the plain X7 has to settle with being extra plain by advantage of its existence within the lineup. However typically a deal with the fundamentals will pay dividends.

So what’s the expertise of utilizing the Poco X7? Does it do sufficient to earn a spot in your pocket? Learn on to search out out.

Design & Construct

• 185g, 8.4mm thick
• All plastic construct
• IP68 rated

At first look, the Poco X7 is somewhat bizarre. From the rear, all the things seems to be regular, there’s a big ‘POCO’ blazon, 4 ‘digicam’ cutouts (internet hosting three precise cameras) and a shiny plastic end. The entrance is the place issues begin to change into somewhat uncommon for a price range cellphone, by which I imply you encounter the curved sides.

It was nearly a decade in the past that the primary smartphone with curved sides, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, was launched. Again then (2015), they felt cool and futuristic, now, not a lot. Within the intervening interval, the faults of curved sides have been laid naked for all to see. Though they give the impression of being fairly, they’re an obstacle to usability, and to sturdiness. 

I used to be grateful that the X7 got here with a factory-fitted display protector, time spent in a pocket with keys meant small scratches to the curved edges, which may fortunately be eliminated with the protector.

One other anachronism is using shiny plastics within the design. The rail is meant to appear like metallic, and the again glass, in use it’s very obvious that each are plastic. Shiny would possibly {photograph} higher, however it additionally signifies that scratches and scuffs are crystal clear from each angle. For those who prefer to maintain your cellphone ‘bare’, the X7 will certainly look worse for put on after just a few months, this can be a system which wants a case.

Fortunately there’s one included within the field, even when it’s a flimsy TPU affair. From an general construct perspective, the X7 is on a much more strong footing. At 185g it’s heavy, however no extra so than different units that are the identical measurement, and at 8.4mm it’s thick sufficient to really feel substantial with out additionally coming throughout as pudgy.

Three colourways are supplied: Black, Inexperienced and Silver, with our evaluate unit coming within the latter. None of them will set the world alight and are one million miles from Motorola and its partnership with Pantone for the Edge sequence.

One other very retro inclusion is the sequence of 4 digicam warts on the rear, of which there are 4, with one housing the flash. They’re an unattractive inclusion, particularly for what isn’t a camera-first system. Not less than the X7 is IP68 mud and waterproof, removed from a given within the price range phase, as is the inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for further sturdiness.

Taken as a complete, the X7 comes as one thing of a hodgepodge from a design perspective, a sequence of previous elements and concepts that don’t fairly gel. It’s a solidly constructed smartphone that feels competent, however which doesn’t set the heart beat racing.

Display & Audio system

• 6.67 inch, 1.5K AMOLED show
• 120Hz refresh fee
• Stereo audio system

The display is often the place smartphone entrepreneurs go to city, and with the X7, Poco has pulled out all of the stops. With a 6.67-inch ‘CrystalRes 1.5K Circulate AMOLED curved show’, 68 Billion colors (not a single color much less or extra), a 2560Hz ‘Prompt contact’ sampling fee and extra, you’d be mistaken for considering this was a flagship panel.

It decidedly isn’t, nevertheless that isn’t to detract from its efficiency, simply from some barely over-eager advertising. 

The 1.5K decision (round 25% greater than an ordinary 1080p panel) affords crip content material, whether or not textual content or pictures. The AMOLED tech signifies that colors pop and the technically infinite distinction leaves blacks good and inky.

Sean Cameron / Foundry

Whether or not you’ll be able to depend all 68 Billion colors is as much as you, nevertheless, the dynamic vary of the panel is first rate. Viewing angles on the curved edges may be a problem typically.

With a 120Hz refresh fee, largely something you are able to do on the X7 feels quick and easy, although the 2560Hz sampling fee was not possible to measure. For sure, the cellphone registered my contact rapidly, even when my shaky hobbit-like mitts couldn’t push it to theoretical extremes.

The X7 does include HDR10 functionality and is Widevine L1 licensed, which means it could possibly play HDR content material on Netflix and the like. Brightness is quoted as as much as 1200 nits on excessive brightness mode, and it was actually sufficient to beat the brittle winter sunshine within the UK. Minimal brightness wasn’t the most effective, nevertheless, blasting my face at midnight, in case you prefer to learn in mattress this may be a problem.

There’s an under-display fingerprint sensor, and as you’d anticipate in 2025, it labored flawlessly. Stereo audio system additionally make an entrance, with loads of punch and quantity even when they lack element in comparison with even low-cost Bluetooth choices.

Specs & Efficiency

• Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Extremely processor
• 8/12GB of RAM
• 256/512GB storage

Sometimes, if there’s one space through which Poco telephones by no means disappoints, it’s with the core specs, and just like the Poco X6, the X7 isn’t any exception. 

To begin, there’s a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Extremely below the hood, which is a contemporary 4nm octa-core chip working at as much as 2.5GHz, which is paired with a minimal of 8GB of RAM. Storage by default is 256GB, though for somewhat extra you will notice 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, a lot by anybody’s estimation. There’s no MicroSD card enlargement, so make your selection correctly.

Sean Cameron / Foundry

As may be anticipated, there’s nothing in your day-to-day life which is prone to part the X7, although that’s functionally the case for almost each smartphone within the price range value bracket. Nonetheless, the X7 flies via the interface and almost each mild job with ease.

The Dimensity 7300 Extremely powered via most video games with out concern, together with PUBG at excessive settings. Over time it turned somewhat toasty, although not overly so. Particularly in case you use a controller grip, the surplus warmth gained’t show to be a problem. Even throughout longer classes, there was solely minimal throttling evident, showcasing some largely efficient thermal administration.

This isn’t a tool meant to problem the perfect and strongest out there, however what it does do is supply commendable gaming efficiency at a compelling value level, which for a lot of might be purpose sufficient to concentrate.

Poco X7 benchmarks

Cameras

• 50Mp fundamental digicam with OIS
• 8Mp ultrawide
• 2Mp macro
• 20Mp selfie digicam

It’s been stated already that the X7 isn’t a camera-first system, nevertheless, that isn’t to say that it doesn’t have a digicam system worthy of observe.

Current and proper is a 50Mp IMX882 fundamental sensor with optical picture stabilisation and an f/1.5 aperture, an 8Mp f2.2 ultra-wide digicam and a 2Mp macro cam on the rear, whereas the entrance sensor is 20Mp, with no additional data supplied.

The principle sensor is shared with the X7’s extra premium sibling, the X7 Professional, and can be used within the Poco F6. And for essentially the most half, it does an inexpensive job.

Sean Cameron / Foundry

Stills are captured at 12.5Mp and supply nice colors, supplied you don’t activate the ‘AI digicam’ mode, which hates each shade of inexperienced in need of nuclear astroturf. Zooming in, there are points with over-sharpening, which destroys the definition of foliage specifically, however for many city settings you gained’t have a problem. Dynamic vary, generally, was good, with the X7 working nicely to right overblown skies specifically.

Pores and skin tones are pleasantly captured for essentially the most half, however with reference to portraits, you’ll instantly want to disable the built-in ‘enhancements’ supplied by the selfie digicam. Crank these to eleven and also you’ll appear like an additional from ET.

Transferring to low-light, the problems with element don’t enhance, nevertheless color stays a spotlight. The in-built night time mode does an excellent job of bettering brightness whereas sustaining saturation. This could’t be stated of the ultra-wide digicam, which isn’t at its finest when the lights go down.

Efficiency from the ultra-wide on the entire echoes that of the principle sensor, which is to say good color, and iffy element, although these points are each compounded right here. It’s a nice-to-have, one thing usable in a pinch, however it isn’t top-of-the-line choices on the market, even on the value level.

As may be anticipated, the macro cam is an actual stinker. To get shut sufficient to make use of it, the cellphone casts a big shadow over the topic, eliminating the purpose of macro pictures. Tele-macros are an choice which is rising in recognition, and for good purpose.

Fortunately, images from the front-facing digicam are good for essentially the most half, showcasing good element and colors, that’s as soon as the ‘enhancements’ have been deactivated.

Transferring via Xiaomi’s varied modes, the Portrait mode specifically did a commendable job with cutouts and altering lighting to make it extra flattering, and as such was a welcome inclusion. Others, such because the ‘50Mp’ mode, supply nothing of worth by any means.

Lastly, ‘Director’ mode was an attention-grabbing inclusion, which supplies you an approximation of full guide video management, having access to color temperature, shutter velocity, ISO and the flexibility to manually focus. Coupled with the teleprompter characteristic, it makes for a theoretical video monster, however for one small concern – the front-facing sensor can solely file video at as much as 1080p/30fps, which simply isn’t aggressive.

Battery Life & Charging

• 5110mAh battery
• 45W quick charging

With a capacious 5110mAh battery and a contemporary processor, the Poco X7 has the mandatory components to attain wonderful battery life, and so coming into this evaluate that’s what I used to be anticipating to search out.

Throughout the course of a comparatively heavy day, with calls, e-mail, social media, watching movies and an hour of GPS, I discovered by the tip of the day I had round 31% remaining within the tank on common.

As can so typically be stated now, this can be a smartphone which is able to final all day, and right into a second for mild customers. 

When the time comes for charging, you’ll be able to prime up at as much as 45W, which isn’t the quickest choice in the marketplace however does the job in a pinch. In half-hour, with the included charger, I used to be in a position to prime up by 56%, which suggests it’s best to see near a full cost inside an hour.

An attention-grabbing inclusion, which boosts the eco-credentials of the X7, is its acknowledged means to retain 80% battery well being after 1,600 cost cycles, which is a major quantity certainly. Although you won’t be prone to maintain it so long as that, it means you possibly can theoretically get no less than 4 years of use out of the X7, although there’s no acknowledged framework for software program help into the long run.

As may be anticipated on the value level, there’s no wi-fi charging obtainable.

Software program & Apps

• Android 14
• Runs Xiaomi HyperOS
• Unknown help

Provided that this can be a system with Xiaomi parentage, it’s maybe unsurprising that it comes operating ‘HyperOS’, the Chinese language agency’s specific flavour of Android.

This does its finest to ape iOS for essentially the most half. There are bizarre inclusions, akin to a swipe from the highest proper down bringing a ‘Management Centre’ quite than the notification shade. Or there’s the lack to do away with notifications with a left swipe.

Sean Cameron / Foundry

For those who’ve come from an iPhone you’ll discover lots to love, however if you’re used to a extra pared-back model of Android, you would possibly discover it lots. It’s a disgrace too to say there’s lots of cruft put in, a few of which current themselves as system apps and comprise adverts. This consists of the built-in file supervisor, which appears regular till adverts for ‘Evony’ seem. 

Past that, there’s a Xiaomi ‘App Mall’ which is a rival app retailer to the Play Retailer however far much less completed. There’s additionally the Mi Browser, a Calendar app, a Gallery app, a Xiaomi retailer app and extra, all choices which may be forgotten however which for essentially the most half can’t be uninstalled. In 2025, that’s unlucky to see.

Google Gemini is included by default and can’t be uninstalled, persevering with the theme. It leaves you with a tool that feels as if it’s probably not yours, over which you don’t have whole management, and that’s unlucky.

Taken as it’s, HyperOS is easy and gained’t hassle most individuals generally use, however the cracks are there and simple to see. In comparison with the likes of Motorola’s, and even Samsung’s method to software program, it feels positively archaic. The shortage of acknowledged software program help shifting into the long run can be one thing of a bugbear, because the competitors has moved to a minimal of two years of characteristic updates, typically much more.

Worth & Availability

The Poco X7 is on the market for costs beginning at £249 from the official retailer and retailers like Amazon. It will get you the 8/256GB model, whereas the 12/512GB mannequin will set you again £299 placing it within the mid-range sector.

You should purchase it from Amazon US in case you don’t thoughts an import.

For a similar value, you will get a Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, which affords most of the identical specs, however with a barely improved digicam system and a far longer supply of software program help.

Or there’s the CMF Telephone 1, which sports activities most of the identical options and a superior software program expertise, for round £40 much less. Lastly, there’s a left-field choice, the TCL 50 Professional Nxtpaper, which has a 108Mp digicam and a display that’s superior to all others within the value bracket in terms of studying.

Take a look at all our greatest price range telephones to see the highest choices proper now.

Do you have to purchase the Poco X7?

The price range vary isn’t what it was, and that’s no dangerous factor. In recent times it has change into jam-packed with high quality choices, which could make the proposition of selecting a person cellphone tougher, however which additionally conversely means most decisions might be a secure one.

And that describes the Poco X7, as a secure selection. It has a considerably previous design that lacks pizzazz, there’s nothing in its spec sheet which actually jumps out, it’s a sequence of smart choices coalesced right into a center of the highway smartphone.

That isn’t to say that the expertise of utilizing it’s dangerous, and even boring. It flies via most duties, it has good battery life and a nice display, and for many individuals that might be sufficient.

It has drawbacks too, as is to be anticipated, with a digicam suite that leaves somewhat to be desired, and software program that desperately wants a way test utilized to it. To not point out the unknown size of help which is more and more essential to shoppers.

It’s an excellent choice in some ways however that in all probability isn’t sufficient for most individuals except you occur to be seeing it on some engaging deal. Take a look at the competitors from Samsung, CMF, Motorola and others first.

Specs

• Android 14
• 6.67-inch, 1220 x 2712, OLED, 120Hz
• Below-display fingerprint sensor
• MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Extremely
• 8/12GB RAM
• 256GB / 512GB storage
• Cameras:
• 50Mp fundamental digicam
• 8Mp ultrawide
• 20Mp selfie digicam
• 2MP macro sensor
• As much as 4K @ 30fps rear video
• Stereo audio system
• Twin-SIM
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be
• Bluetooth 5.4
• 5110mAh battery
• 45W charging
• 160 x 74.42 x 78.4 mm
• IP68 licensed
• 185.5g
• Colors: Black, Inexperienced, Silver