The smartphone landscape witnessed a significant shift when POCO unveiled its X7 series in January 2025.
The POCO X7, released on January 9, 2025, emerges as a compelling mid-range contender that challenges conventional expectations about what budget-conscious consumers should accept in their devices.
Design Philosophy and Build Quality
POCO has reimagined the X7’s aesthetic approach, departing from previous design languages to embrace something more contemporary.
The device features a 3D curved display for the first time in the X-lineup, paired with the iconic POCO yellow color scheme. This design choice creates a distinctive visual identity that stands apart from the sea of monotonous mid-range devices.
The device boasts polycarbonate and polyurethane construction materials, ensuring a lightweight yet durable build.
The textured faux leather backing serves both aesthetic and practical purposes, effectively minimizing fingerprint accumulation while providing enhanced grip security.
Weighing approximately 185-190 grams with an 8.4mm thickness profile, the X7 maintains comfortable ergonomics for extended usage periods.
The durability credentials are particularly impressive. The device achieves water resistance up to 1.5 meters depth, accompanied by comprehensive IP69 rating protection against dust and water intrusion.
This level of environmental protection typically remains reserved for significantly more expensive devices.
Display Excellence
The visual experience represents one of the X7’s strongest selling propositions. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display delivers QHD resolution of 1220×2712 pixels with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The screen technology supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content, ensuring compatibility with premium streaming services.
Peak brightness reaches 1200 cd/m² with a remarkable contrast ratio of 5000000:1, making outdoor visibility exceptional even under direct sunlight conditions.
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection shields the display from scratches and impact damage, adding another layer of durability assurance.
The adaptive refresh rate technology intelligently adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on content type, optimizing battery consumption without compromising visual fluidity.
Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the responsive touch sampling rates that enhance competitive gaming performance.
Performance Capabilities
Under the hood, the X7 houses the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra processor, constructed using advanced 4nm architecture.
This chipset delivers impressive AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores of 728,840 points, placing it competitively within its price segment.
Memory configurations include 8GB and 12GB LPDDR4X RAM options, paired with either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB UFS 2.2 storage variants.
The absence of expandable storage might concern some users, though the generous base storage options should accommodate most usage patterns.
Gaming performance proves particularly noteworthy, with the device maintaining stable frame rates across popular titles including PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty, and Genshin Impact.
The integrated cooling system effectively manages thermal performance during extended gaming sessions, preventing throttling issues that commonly plague mid-range devices.
Camera System Analysis
Photography capabilities center around a versatile triple-camera arrangement.
The primary 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor features an f/1.5 aperture with optical image stabilization (OIS) support. This configuration enables impressive low-light performance and reduces motion blur in challenging conditions.
An 8MP Sony IMX355 ultra-wide lens with f/2.2 aperture expands creative possibilities for landscape and group photography.
The third sensor comprises a 2MP macro lens for close-up detail capture, though its practical utility remains limited compared to the primary and ultra-wide options.
Video recording capabilities extend to 4K resolution at 24/30fps with dual OIS and EIS stabilization, delivering professional-grade footage stability.
The front-facing 20MP camera handles selfie duties competently, with automatic 0.8x zoom adjustment for group selfies.
Daylight photography delivers excellent results with good detail retention, accurate color reproduction, and sharp image quality.
However, low-light performance shows room for improvement, with noticeable softness and noise levels that could benefit from further optimization.
Battery Life and Charging
Power management represents a significant strength of the X7 experience. The 5110mAh battery capacity provides exceptional all-day endurance for most usage patterns.
The high-density battery technology allegedly improves performance in sub-zero temperatures, making it suitable for diverse climate conditions.
45W fast charging support enables rapid power replenishment when needed, though some markets may not include the charging adapter in the retail package.
Real-world testing indicates approximately 50 minutes for complete charging cycles, which aligns competitively with similar-priced alternatives.
Battery life testing reveals an 11:03h Active Use Score, demonstrating solid endurance across various usage scenarios including calling, streaming, and gaming activities.
Software Experience
The X7 operates on HyperOS based on Android 14, representing Xiaomi’s latest software evolution.
The interface offers extensive customization options and feature-rich functionality, though some users may find the abundance of pre-installed applications overwhelming.
POCO promises three years of major OS updates, ensuring long-term software support that rivals more expensive alternatives.
However, the software experience includes some bloatware and advertisements that may detract from the overall user experience.
Connectivity and Additional Features
Modern connectivity standards include Bluetooth 5.4, dual SIM support, NFC for contactless payments, and WiFi 6 compatibility.
An infrared port enables remote control functionality for various appliances. The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint traditional audio enthusiasts, though USB-C adapters provide alternative solutions.
Market Position and Value Proposition
Priced at ₹19,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant and ₹21,999 for the 8GB/256GB model in India, the X7 delivers exceptional value within its segment.
The combination of premium display technology, solid performance, robust build quality, and comprehensive feature set creates a compelling package that challenges more expensive alternatives.
POCO X7 display is 7 inch with HD resolution
The POCO X7 successfully establishes itself as a formidable mid-range contender that refuses to compromise on essential features.
While camera performance and software experience leave room for refinement, the overall package delivers tremendous value for budget-conscious consumers seeking flagship-level features without premium pricing.
The device particularly excels for multimedia consumption, gaming, and users prioritizing display quality and battery life over absolute camera excellence.