Poco F7 5G Long-Term Review: A Mid-Range Powerhouse That Delivers

The Poco F7 5G, launched in mid-2025, continues the brand’s legacy of offering flagship-grade performance at a mid-range price. Priced starting at ₹31,999 in India (approximately $400 globally), it packs a punch with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a massive 7,550mAh battery, and a vibrant 6.83-inch AMOLED display. After using the Poco F7 5G for several months, I’ve put it through its paces—gaming marathons, daily multitasking, and media consumption—to see if it lives up to the hype as a “flagship killer.” Here’s my in-depth long-term review.

Design and Build: Premium Yet Practical

The Poco F7 5G immediately feels like a premium device. Its flat-frame design, with a glass back and aluminum alloy frame, gives it a sturdy and polished look. Available in Black, White, and the standout Cyber Silver Edition, the phone’s aesthetic is bold yet refined, with a two-tone finish that adds character. The Cyber Silver variant, in particular, has a sci-fi vibe with its glossy mirror finish and subtle sparkles under light.

Weighing 222 grams due to its massive battery, the Poco F7 5G is slightly heavier than competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A56 or iQOO Neo 10. However, the weight is evenly distributed, making it comfortable for extended use, whether gaming or browsing. The IP68 and IP69 ratings, along with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection, ensure durability against drops, scratches, and water exposure. After months of use without a case, my unit has minor scuffs but no major damage, a testament to its robust build.

Display: A Visual Treat

The 6.83-inch 1.5K pOLED display (2800 x 1280 pixels) is a highlight. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 3,200 nits peak brightness, and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, it delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. Whether streaming Netflix, scrolling through social media, or playing games like Genshin Impact, the display remains fluid and immersive. The 3840Hz PWM dimming and Wet Touch 2.0 technology make it comfortable for long sessions and usable in wet conditions.

Over time, I noticed the display’s brightness holds up well under direct sunlight, and the customizable color profiles (Original Colour Pro, Vivid, Custom) allow for tailored viewing experiences. However, it lacks an LTPO panel for dynamic refresh rate adjustments, which could have improved battery efficiency.

Performance: A Gaming Beast

Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB UFS 4.1 storage, the Poco F7 5G is a performance juggernaut. It handles everything from casual apps to demanding games like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI with ease. Over months of use, I experienced no slowdowns or app crashes, even with multiple apps open. Benchmarks like Geekbench 6 (1978 single-core, 6210 multi-core) and AnTuTu place it close to last year’s flagship chips, making it a top performer in its class.

Gaming is where the F7 shines. Features like Wild Boost 4.0 and a 3D dual-channel IceLoop cooling system keep frame rates stable during extended sessions. However, the phone can get warm (up to 45°C under heavy load), though it never becomes uncomfortable or throttles significantly. Bypass charging is a thoughtful addition, reducing heat during gaming by powering the phone directly.

Battery Life: A Marathon Runner

The 7,550mAh silicon-carbon battery is the largest in its segment, offering exceptional longevity. With moderate use—social media, browsing, and occasional gaming—it consistently lasts two days on a single charge. Even with heavy use, including hours of gaming and video streaming, I ended the day with 30-40% battery remaining. In testing, it achieved around 16-21 hours of screen-on time, outpacing rivals like the Realme GT 7 or iQOO Neo 10.

The 90W HyperCharge adapter (included in the box) charges the phone from 0 to 50% in about 20 minutes and fully charges in 45-60 minutes. The absence of wireless charging is a minor drawback, but the 22.5W reverse charging feature is handy for juicing up accessories. Over months, the battery health remained strong, with Poco claiming 1,600 charge cycles for long-term durability.

Cameras: Decent but Not the Star

The Poco F7 5G’s camera system prioritizes performance over photography. The 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor (f/1.5, OIS) captures decent daylight shots with natural colors and good detail, but it struggles with dynamic range and highlight clipping. The 8MP ultrawide lens is underwhelming, producing soft images with limited detail, especially in low light. The 20MP front camera is adequate for selfies but lacks autofocus and struggles with edge detection in portraits.

Video recording is stable at 4K (main lens only), but the ultrawide is limited to 1080p. For casual users, the cameras are serviceable, but if photography is a priority, alternatives like the Vivo T4 Ultra or Motorola Edge 60 Pro offer better results.

Software: HyperOS 2.0 with Some Bloat

Running Android 15 with HyperOS 2.0, the Poco F7 5G offers a smooth and customizable experience. Animations are snappy, and AI features like image editing, real-time translation, and battery optimization add value. However, the software comes with significant bloatware—over 60 pre-installed apps, including games and social media. Most can be uninstalled, but the process is tedious.

Poco promises four OS updates and six years of security patches, ensuring relevance until 2031. While not as generous as Google or Samsung’s seven-year support, it’s solid for the price. The software remained stable over months, with no major bugs, though occasional minor lags occurred during quick gaming movements.

Audio and Connectivity

The stereo speakers are loud but lack depth, sounding average compared to rivals. For better audio, headphones are recommended. Connectivity is robust, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, and support for multiple 5G bands. Call quality is clear, and the under-display fingerprint scanner is reliable, though facial recognition is less secure.

Verdict: A Stellar Mid-Ranger with Minor Flaws

After months of use, the Poco F7 5G proves itself as a top contender in the mid-range segment. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, massive battery, and vibrant display make it a dream for gamers and power users. The premium design and long-term software support add to its appeal, while the 90W fast charging ensures minimal downtime. However, the average cameras, bloatware-heavy software, and occasional heating hold it back from perfection.

Compared to rivals like the iQOO Neo 10 or Samsung Galaxy A56, the Poco F7 5G offers unmatched battery life and performance for the price. If you prioritize speed, stamina, and display quality over camera prowess, the Poco F7 5G is a no-brainer at ₹31,999 ($400).

Success Story