Poco X7 and X7 Pro: Unleashing the Power of Mid-Range Innovation

The Poco X7 series has officially launched, embodying the brand’s spirit effectively: high performance, an aspirational image for the Gen Z demographic, and a challenger attitude. Each device in this lineup strikes a commendable harmony between performance and affordability, which is rare in this segment, and I will analyze both models shortly.

Before delving into detailed reviews of these devices, I want to highlight some standout features that lend both phones their uniqueness. Kicking things off with the Pro version, it boasts one of the largest batteries expected to be found on smartphones in 2025. It is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 8400 Ultra processor, making its global debut with this model. Additionally, it is the inaugural device to launch with HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, developed by Xiaomi.

The base model includes a shock-resistant build aimed at providing users with added reassurance. It features a substantial 5500mAh battery alongside MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Ultra SoC. The Poco X7 appears as an appealing choice under ₹25,000, while the X7 Pro aims to set a benchmark just below ₹30,000 for 2025 smartphones.

So, if you’re considering purchasing either of these smartphones, is it worth it? I’ll provide my insights in the full review.

Design of Poco X7 and X7 Pro: The Reign of Vegan Leather

  • Dimensions — 162.3×74.4×8.5mm (X7) and 160.9×74.2×8.2mm (X7 Pro)
  • Weight — 190 grams (X7) and 195 grams (X7 Pro)
  • Colors — Cosmic Silver, Glacier Green, and Yellow (X7) and Nebula Green, Obsidian Black, and Yellow (X7 Pro)
  • Durability — IP66 + IP68 + IP69 (dust and water resistance)

Let’s kick off our discussion with the design, starting with the Poco X7. It comes in three color options: Poco Yellow, Glacier Green, and Cosmic Silver. This model features Poco’s initial dual-curve design, showcasing a 3D curved display – a first for the company as well. Compared to its predecessor, the X6, the Poco X7 comes packed with a multitude of enhancements. The front is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, establishing a solid impression for potential buyers. Moreover, Poco has distinguished itself by incorporating top-tier IP ratings in its X7 devices, boasting IP66, IP68, and IP69 for maximum durability. Its thickness stands at 8.5mm, and it weighs 190 grams, all while housing a 5500mAh battery.

Both Poco X7 models are under 200 grams in weight

 

The curved design feels appealing and gives a premium tactile experience. Personally, I’m not particularly fond of curved designs and found it more comfortable to use with the case included in the box. Poco emphasized durability during the X7’s launch, and while the specifications look promising, it can withstand mishaps such as accidental drops, thanks to its shock-absorbing structure inside. It is equipped with an energy-dissipating foam pad along with a reinforced polymer buffer to safeguard the internal components from shocks.

Available in Cosmic Silver, Glacier Green, and Yellow hues

 

Turning to the X7 Pro, it features an innovative dual-tone design on the back, specifically the Yellow version, which showcases the company’s branding colors of Black and Yellow. Other options include Obsidian Black and Nebula Green, all presenting a dual-tone aesthetic. What makes the X7 Pro’s dual-tone scheme standout is its unique texture, providing a notably softer finish. Its rear design is distinctive enough to easily identify the X7 Pro among other devices.

Colors available include Nebula Green, Obsidian Black, and Yellow

 

Despite its substantial 6550mAh battery, the X7 Pro maintains a slim profile of 8.2mm, which is impressive. It took me some time to accept that it weighs less than 200 grams. The X7 Pro marks the introduction of IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance in the company’s range.

The flat design works well for me, and the vegan leather-like finish on the back eliminates the need for a protective case, even one that comes with the box. The front is safeguarded by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, enhancing resistance to scratches. Featuring a remarkable 93.7 percent screen-to-body ratio, the X7 Pro serves exceptionally well for multimedia purposes, which I will detail in the following section.

In conclusion, the X7 and X7 Pro boast strong design elements, engineered to withstand everyday challenges.

Both devices promise 3+4 years of software updates

 

Display of Poco X7 and X7 Pro: Exceptional Quality

  • Screen size — 6.73-inch AMOLED flat display (X7 Pro) and 6.67-inch AMOLED curved display (X7)
  • Screen protection — Corning Gorilla Glass 7i (X7 Pro) and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (X7)
  • Peak brightness — 3200nits (X7 Pro) and 3000nits (X7)

The Poco X7 series offers substantial upgrades in terms of display. The X7 Pro achieves peak brightness levels of 3200nits compared to 3000nits on the X7, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor. Poco also included impressive features like Wet TouchDisplay 2.0 for enhanced responsiveness, even with wet or greasy fingers.

Poco X7 features a 6.67-inch Curved AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz

 

The X7 Pro features a 6.67-inch AMOLED flat display with a resolution of 1220×2712 pixels. It incorporates every desired feature at this price, including a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. In real-world use, the display is vibrant with excellent color reproduction, and viewing angles are satisfactory. The panel is sufficiently bright for usage in direct sunlight and is equipped with Widevine L1 certification, enabling streaming of HD content on popular OTT platforms. The X7 Pro excels in multimedia use, whether you are gaming, browsing, or streaming.

Poco X7 Pro features a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate

On the flip side, the X7 also features an impressive display. It comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel, albeit in a 3D curved design. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the screen has a resolution of 1220×2712 pixels (1.5K) and supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, placing it as one of the brightest displays in its price range with a peak brightness of 3000nits. With remarkable quality, colorful panels, bright visuals, and sharp text, the X7 is an excellent choice for streaming or gaming, given its smooth display.

In summary, the X7 Pro and X7 present displays that are truly capable of outshining competing models.

Performance of Poco X7 and X7 Pro: High-performance and Rapid

  • Processor — MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra (X7) and MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra (X7 Pro)
  • RAM and storage — 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB (X7) and 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB (X7 Pro)
  • OS — Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 14 (X7) and Xiaomi HyperOS based on Android 15 (X7 Pro)

Poco’s X-series smartphones are designed primarily for performance, and the X7 and X7 Pro uphold this legacy. Commencing with the X7 Pro, it features the new MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra processor crafted on a 4nm TSMC process and supports UFS 4.0 technology. It is available in two configurations: 8GB + 256GB and 12GB + 256GB.

Both devices are equipped with AI functionalities

 

It manages all tasks efficiently, whether it be multitasking, streaming, gaming, or image editing on platforms like Canva. Launching multiple applications occurs swiftly, without noticeable lag. However, I observed that the phone can warm up when running synthetic benchmark applications or demanding games at peak settings for prolonged periods, such as using Maps for over an hour. This isn’t a major concern, as it cools down quickly after exiting the app. Below is a table reflecting the performance metrics of the X7 Pro from our synthetic benchmark tests.

Benchmark Poco X7 Pro Poco X7 OnePlus Nord 4 Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Chipset Dimensity 8400 Ultra Dimensity 7300 Ultra Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 Dimensity 7300
AnTuTu v10 16,02,933 650,869 1,074,178 669,224
PCMark Work 3.0 14,628 12,934 12,336 11,642
Geekbench Single 1,549 1,026 929 941
Geekbench Multi 6,216 2,906 3,817 2,101
GFXB T-rex 120 85 60 89
GFXB Manhattan 3.1 118 56 60 42
GFXB Car Chase 89 23 60 24
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL Maxed Out 5,097 Maxed Out 3,109
3DM Slingshot Maxed Out 6,566 Maxed Out 4,310
3DM Wild Life Maxed Out 3,137 Maxed Out 1,271
3DM Wild Life Unlimited 13,102 3,149 11,588 1,257

Transitioning to the X7, it features the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra chipset and supports UFS 2.2, which is somewhat disappointing considering its performance-driven design. Daily tasks are managed effortlessly by the X7. Even demanding games like BGMI and COD Mobile run smoothly at the highest graphic settings. Hence, the Poco X7 stands as a solid contender in the performance segment. Below is a representation of the performance highlights of the Poco X7 during our benchmark evaluations. Both devices may heat up slightly post-intensive gaming, but they cool off quickly, so there are no worries for dedicated gamers.

The X7 Pro is one of the early devices utilizing HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15. Poco has committed to providing three years of Android updates and four years of security updates for the X7 Pro, and the same policy extends to the X7 as well. However, an important distinction is that the X7 operates on HyperOS based on Android 14, which means it will receive three updates, including Android 15, resulting in only two practical updates thereafter. The update assurance for the X7 appears weaker compared to the X7 Pro.

 

HyperOS appears to be just a revamped version of MIUI, as the underlying user experience remains largely unchanged concerning pre-installed apps. During my review, I received frequent notifications from GetApps, including prompts to update apps from Xiaomi’s app store, which became quite bothersome during daily usage.

The calling experience on both X7 models is excellent, and 5G connectivity with Airtel and Jio networks was stable throughout my testing. Typing on these devices was comfortable, and the haptic feedback was commendable. I also enjoyed gaming on both the X7 and X7 Pro.

The X7 Pro operates on HyperOS 2.0 built on Android 15, while the X7 utilizes HyperOS based on Android 14

 

The X7 and X7 Pro are equipped with dual stereo speakers featuring Dolby Atmos support, delivering a satisfactory audio experience. They are loud enough for a mid-sized room and suitable for gaming or movie watching.

In conclusion, both the Poco X7 and X7 Pro provide impressive performance, though the issue of bloatware continues to linger, and I hope Poco addresses it with an OTA update soon.

Moreover, onboard AI offers numerous functionalities on the X7 devices. Most of these revolve around image manipulation, including AI Smart Clip for creating videos from selected photos, AI Cutout for background removal or repositioning subjects, AI Sky for changing sky colors, AI Expansion for enlarging image boundaries, AI Enhancement for sharpening images, and AI Erase Pro for effectively highlighting objects for removal from images.

Poco claims these phones come equipped with various other AI capabilities powered by Google. However, during my experience, many of these features were unavailable, with only basic functionalities like Chat with Gemini and AI Notes being accessible.

The Poco X7 Pro includes numerous AI features like AI Interpreter, AI Notes, AI Magic Erase Pro, and more

 

Camera Performance of Poco X7 and X7 Pro: Adequate but Not Spectacular

  • Camera Arrangement — Dual: 50-megapixel and 8-megapixel ultra-wide (X7 Pro) and Triple: 50-megapixel, 8-megapixel ultra-wide, and 2-megapixel macro sensor (X7)
  • Selfie Camera — 20-megapixel (X7 and X7 Pro)
  • Video Recording Support — Up to 4K at 60fps (X7 Pro) and up to 4K at 30fps (X7)

The Poco X7 carries a familiar camera configuration which has been seen in multiple devices within this price range. Daytime shots appear impressive, maintaining vibrant colors and intricate details with the main camera. Below are some examples to demonstrate its capabilities.




Poco X7 main camera sample images (tap images to view larger)

The ultra-wide camera performs decently but doesn’t quite match the capabilities of the primary sensor. Color accuracy is often off, and some details get lost in shadowy areas.

Poco X7 ultra-wide camera samples (tap images to view larger)

The bokeh capabilities of the X7 seem inconsistent, showcasing some depth estimation errors and inadequate subject isolation from the background in various shots.

Poco X7 portrait mode in action (tap image to enlarge)

As for low-light performance, the X7 is acceptable but shows a notable loss of detail. While noise levels are relatively controlled, the target exposure often falls short, leading to underexposure in many scenarios.

Poco X7 low-light camera examples (tap images to view larger)

On to the Poco X7 Pro, which is equipped with a dual-camera setup. Its primary sensor captures photos well across various conditions while maintaining detail and producing natural colors. It excels at accurately rendering skin tones, and exposure levels are satisfactory in most situations. The primary camera comes with a 2x in-sensor zoom that typically performs well. The bokeh effects achieved are notably superior compared to the X7’s performance.




Poco X7 Pro primary camera samples (tap images to view larger)

The 8-megapixel ultra-wide shots are acceptable, showcasing good dynamic range and vibrant colors. However, they don’t perform reliably in all scenarios, thus expectations should be managed.

Poco X7 Pro ultra-wide camera samples (tap images to view larger)

 

Low-light results showcase reasonable performance, and the auto mode ensures satisfactory results. The detail preservation is impressive, making the X7 Pro a competent choice for night photography.

Poco X7 Pro low-light camera samples (tap images to view larger)

The selfie cameras on both the X7 and X7 Pro are decent for daytime shots. However, they fall short for more high-quality expectations, being more suitable for social media uploads than anything else. The skin tones appear artificial when beautify mode is engaged, and even with it turned off, they still don’t accurately represent real-world complexions. There’s also an evident loss of detail in low-light conditions.

The Poco X7 records video up to 4K quality at 30fps, while the X7 Pro can achieve up to 4K at 60fps. Both devices deliver commendable quality with appropriate color balance; daylight videos tend to outperform the low-light recordings.

In summary, while the camera capabilities of the Poco X7 devices may not emerge as the most notable highlight, they certainly don’t lag significantly in performance. The X7 Pro offers a superior camera setup but is let down by a mediocre ultra-wide sensor and the absence of a telephoto lens.

The X7 is equipped with a triple camera arrangement on its rear

 

Battery Life of Poco X7 and X7 Pro: Exceptional

  • Battery — 6550mAh (X7 Pro) and 5500mAh (X7)
  • Fast Charge — 90W support (X7 Pro) and 45W support (X7)
  • Claimed charging time — 100 percent charge in 47 minutes with 90W (X7 Pro) and 100 percent charge in 47 minutes with 45W (X7)

This year, Poco is anticipated to redefine standards in battery performance, especially with the X7 Pro. The impressive 6550mAh battery provided significant longevity, and I struggled to deplete it even with extensive gaming, streaming, and photography activities. In our HD video loop test, the X7 Pro lasted over 30 hours, setting a new internal record at Gadgets 360 for phones reviewed in the last 24 months.

A powerhouse 6550mAh battery capable of full charge in less than 50 minutes

 

During heavy use, the phone comfortably managed to last up to 25 hours, balancing gaming, camera usage, and typical tasks like social media and messaging apps running in the background. With moderate usage, you can expect it to last about two days on a single charge.

Poco has additionally integrated useful battery features that enable users to monitor battery health, charging cycles, and different charging modes – thoughtful additions, if I may add.

The X7 Pro’s fast-charging technology allows for 90W HyperCharge, and the company claims it can go from 0 to 100 percent in just under 50 minutes. This was somewhat accurate when I selected ‘Top Speed’ in the wired charging section within the battery settings. My testing indicated that it took roughly 60 minutes for a full charge, which is reasonable. However, should you switch to ‘Standard’ mode in battery settings, the device requires over 120 minutes for a full recharge, which is on the slower side.

The Poco X7 is fitted with a 20-megapixel selfie camera

 

The X7 features a 5500mAh battery with a 45W TurboCharge capability. During my HD video loop tests, it managed about 21 hours, which is remarkable for its category. During my review, with intensive usage that involved several gaming hours and streaming YouTube videos alongside typical daily tasks, the phone comfortably lasted over a day. With light to moderate usage, it can easily stretch for several days. Battery performance is undoubtedly one of the standout aspects of Poco’s X7 series.

Final Thoughts on Poco X7 and X7 Pro

The Poco X7 starts at ₹21,999 for the 128GB storage model, while the X7 Pro begins at ₹27,999 for the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant. The X7 is an enticing choice for individuals preferring to move to a smartphone priced below ₹25,000. Overall, the X7 Pro offers better value, providing more features for a lower price, and with its innovative design, it presents an appealing package under ₹30,000.

Both devices can be found on Flipkart and other retail platforms

Though there are some drawbacks, such as the persistent issue of bloatware on the X7 and X7 Pro and cameras that do not compete at a premium level. Moreover, the software update commitments cannot match those of rival brands. However, regarding performance, both the X7 and X7 Pro excel and outdo many competitors.

The X7 competes with the iQOO Z9s, which retails for under ₹20,000, as well as the Motorola Edge 50 Neo (Review). Meanwhile, the X7 Pro’s closest rivals include the OnePlus Nord 4 (Review) and the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion (Review).

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