Poco M7 5G: When you think about budget 5G smartphones in India, a couple of brands instantly comes to mind – Realme, Redmi, and now Poco.
Poco has quickly gained a small but loyal following over the years by offering high-value hardware at aggressive price points, trusting its customers to forego the kitchen sink for a no-holds-barred performance-first approach.
And here comes the Poco M7 5G, the company’s latest shot at ruling the lower mid range 5G sector.
But in a crowded market where every second phone claims to offer the “best performance under ₹15,000,” does the M7 5G really deliver? Let’s find out.
High-Contrast Design with So Much Attitude
Poco has never had any problem with being brazen and bold when it comes to looks, and that DNA has very much been passed down to the M7 5G.
It doesn’t even try to look subtle, with its unique rear camera module and a choice of fetching colours: if you want to turn heads, this handset will do it. The build is plastic, of course, but not once does it feel ‘cheap’ in the hand. It is lightweight, durable and built to withstand the rigors of use.
Up front, you have a 6.74-inch IPS LCD display sporting a 90Hz refresh rate. It’s not AMOLED, but the colors are punchy, the scrolling is smooth, and it’s just a joy to use. Indoors, brightness levels are fine, but bright sunlight can be a struggle.
Performance: A Shockingly Smooth Experience for the Price
Under the hood, the Poco M7 5G is fuelled by the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ SoC, along with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage.
Now, let’s be honest — this isn’t a gaming monster or anything, but it’s a beast for your day-to-day work.
Multitasking, social media, YouTube, casual gaming — it all glides along smoothly sans any pesky lags or stutters. And with 5G support, you’re futureproofed without having to break the bank.
The software, MIUI 14 (for Poco), is layered on top of Android 13, and while it’s gotten a lot better than it was in the past, there are some preloaded apps and notifications immediately upon setup that you might want to immediately disable.
Camera: Good for What It Is, but No Miracles
The camera is extremely basic — a 50MP primary and a depth sensor on the back, 8MP shooter on the front. The main camera shoots detailed and well balanced pictures in good lighting. Colors are also mostly natural, and HDR works fine.
Just like in other midrange phones, though, low-light results are mediocre at best — the images are usually grainy and come out soft.
The front camera is okay for video chats, and a quick selfie here and there, but once again, you’re not getting flagship results. This camera setup is very definitely for people who prioritize “good enough” over “wow.”
Battery Life For Days…and Days…and Days
If there’s one thing Poco consistently over-delivers on, it’s battery, and the M7 5G is no exception. A 5,000mAh battery helps you power through a day of moderate to heavy usage without a hiccup. It handles it all without issue: video streaming, web browsing, some gaming.
It also supports 18W fast charging, which is decent enough at this price but a 33W charger would have given it a more competitive edge in its price segment.
Poco does, however, include the charger in the box — something many brands are increasingly unable to brag about these days.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cheap 5G that actually works
90Hz screen for fast and smooth visuals
Great battery life
Attractive, youthful design
MIUI has been changing for the better
Cons:
No ultra-wide or macro lens
LCD panel instead of AMOLED
Bloatware and spammy notifications 4.
Camera struggles in low light
18W charging is a little slow in 2025
Poco M7 5G: Opinion: A Worthy Choice for Budget Shoppers
The Poco M7 5G isn’t a phone with flashy pretences, nor is it an overambitious handset – it’s simply going to be a phone aiming to be the most 5G bang-for-buck you can get without compromising too much. And honestly, it’s a real sweet spot for that.
If what you really care about is good performance, dependable battery life and futureproofed connectivity, the M7 5G should be making its way onto your shortlist.
It’s not going to win any photography awards, but it will not disappoint where it counts the most.
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