It’s become a familiar pattern in the smartphone world as brands now often launch their “Pro” and “Ultra” models before releasing the standard, or “vanilla,” version of a series. This shift can make the regular edition feel like an afterthought and sometimes leaves buyers confused about what really separates each version. The lines between Pro and non-Pro are getting less defined, especially as features and designs often overlap across the whole lineup.

Poco has built its reputation on delivering high-performance phones for gaming enthusiasts and power users, usually at aggressive price points. The new Poco F7 follows that tradition, arriving after its Ultra and Pro siblings launched in March but bringing its own bold style and focus on speed. With performance front and center, the Poco F7 aims to give gamers and demanding users something special, even as the competition between models gets more crowded and complicated. After spending time with all three color variants, here’s how the Poco F7 delivers on that promise.

Designer: POCO

Aesthetics

The Poco F7 looks nothing like the Poco F7 Ultra or Poco F7 Pro, giving it a distinct presence in this year’s F7 series lineup. The Poco F7 is available in three color options, Black, White, and Cyber Silver, all featuring a two-tone design, glass back panels, and metal frames, but with very different visual impact.

The Black and White variants offer a more subtle two-tone effect. On the Black model, the glossy finish is paired with a slightly darker accent, creating a sleek look that feels refined and understated, though it does show fingerprints easily. The White variant features a matte finish that resists smudges and pairs a crisp main shade with a softer, almost pearlescent accent for extra depth.

The Cyber Silver edition is the most distinctive of the three. It features a bold, high-contrast two-tone design, with a glossy metallic lower half and a mechanics-inspired upper section covered in geometric overlays and a prominent Snapdragon logo. This version is unapologetically retro-futuristic and expressive, sure to draw attention, though its dramatic look may not appeal to everyone.

A key visual highlight on all three variants is the camera module. It is an elongated vertical oval set in the upper left corner, with a diagonal divider seamlessly integrated into the frame. This divider, flanked by two vivid green lines, separates the dual camera lenses and injects a pop of unexpected color.

While the green accent adds an energetic, gaming-inspired touch, its purpose is somewhat mysterious and may not fit everyone’s taste. Still, this camera island ensures the Poco F7 is instantly recognizable and reinforces its bold personality.

Ergonomics

The Poco F7’s completely flat display, flat side frame, and curved corners give it an iPhone-like impression at first glance. At 163.1 x 77.9 x 8.2mm and 215.7g, it is a large and fairly hefty phone, which makes one-handed use a challenge, especially for those with smaller hands.

That said, the build quality is nothing to scoff at, with a glass back panel and metal side frame that feel solid and premium in the hand. This sturdy construction not only looks refined but also gives the phone a reassuring sense of durability. The IP68 rating adds peace of mind for accidental splashes or brief drops in water, but the device’s overall heft is always present in daily use.

Both the power and volume buttons are placed on the right side and are easily accessible, though the sheer size of the device may require a stretch for some. The fingerprint scanner sits close to the bottom edge of the display, and while it unlocks quickly, transitioning from unlocking to navigating the interface can feel a bit awkward due to its low placement.

USB-C port and speaker placement are standard at the bottom. The dual-SIM tray, USB-C port, and main speaker are located at the bottom, while the top houses a microphone that also serves as a secondary speaker. The phone wobbles when used on a flat surface because of its camera bump, which can be distracting when tapping or typing on a desk.

Performance

The Poco F7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, which delivers consistently fast and fluid performance for everyday tasks. This chip is part of Qualcomm’s top-tier 8-series family, but it’s designed to make flagship-level speed and efficiency more accessible. In simple terms, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 gives you nearly all the power you’d find in the most expensive Android phones, but at a much friendlier price. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the F7 keeps up without missing a beat.

The 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display is vivid and exceptionally bright, with a tall aspect ratio that is ideal for video streaming, browsing, and gaming. Its impressive color range, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and 3200 nits peak brightness ensure content looks sharp and immersive, even outdoors. TÜV Rheinland certifications and high-frequency PWM dimming help reduce eye fatigue during long viewing sessions. Audio performance is also solid, with the dual speaker system producing clear and well-balanced sound with good volume for games, movies, and music.

The Poco F7 is a strong pick for gamers, handling demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty without any stutter or lag. WildBoost Optimization 4.0 is Poco’s dedicated gaming mode that maximizes performance and helps keep gameplay smooth. Visual enhancement features are also available, allowing you to boost frame rates and resolution. This combination means you can play games like Genshin Impact, which are usually limited to 60 frames per second (FPS) on other Android phones, at up to 120 FPS on the F7.

High performance does create heat, especially during long gaming sessions, but Poco addresses this with an advanced cooling system. The F7 includes a 6,000 mm2 3D Dual-Channel IceLoop system, which is the largest Poco has ever used. In real-world use, the phone can still get uncomfortably hot if you are gaming for a long time, although the performance remains stable and responsive without major slowdowns.

Battery life is a strong point, thanks to the 6500mAh cell, and the 90W fast charging means you can get back to 80% in just 30 minutes. Reverse charging at 22.5W is handy for powering up accessories or other devices. As expecged but still disappointing, there is no wireless charging to be found.

The 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera with OIS performs well in good lighting, capturing images with pleasing dynamic range and solid detail at 1x. It can digitally zoom up to 10x, and photos at higher zoom levels look surprisingly natural, with restrained processing that avoids the overly sharpened look some rivals produce.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera creates cooler-toned photos with good dynamic range, but distortion is noticeable at the edges. The 20MP front camera is decent for selfies, though it tends to make reds look a bit too saturated, sometimes resulting in an orangish skin tone.

As for video capabilities, the main camera supports up to 4K recording at 60 FPS, delivering sharp and fluid footage suitable for casual clips. In contrast, both the ultra-wide and front-facing cameras are limited to 1080p at 30 FPS, which is serviceable for basic video needs.

The new camera UI makes it easier to access advanced features. Swiping up now reveals modes like Slow motion and Long exposure, which is more convenient than the old side-swiping method. However, the main photo and video interface only provides quick access up to 2x magnification, despite supporting up to 10x for photos and 6x for video. To access higher zoom levels, you need to use the on-screen zoom dial, which can be less intuitive in fast-paced situations.

It would be more user-friendly if dedicated buttons for higher magnifications were available by default. For video specifically, you can initially zoom in up to 2x before hitting the record button, but once recording starts, you can continue zooming up to 6x. This approach may slow you down if you want to quickly capture distant subjects, and a more streamlined zoom interface would benefit users who frequently switch between focal lengths during recording. Hopefully, these interface limitations will be addressed in a future update.

Unfortunately, Poco is also known for including a lot of bloatware, and the F7 is no exception. During the setup process, you are presented with a list of recommended apps, which are selected by default. You have to manually uncheck these recommendations before proceeding, which can be annoying if you prefer a clean start.

Sustainability

Sustainability isn’t a headline feature for the Poco F7, but there are a few things here that help the phone last. Poco doesn’t mention using any recycled or eco-friendly materials in the phone’s build, so if you’re looking for a “green” smartphone, this might not be your top pick.

Where the F7 does shine is in durability and long-term support. It’s rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, so you don’t have to stress about everyday spills or a quick splash at the pool. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, which means it’s built to handle bumps, drops, and scratches better than many budget phones out there.

Perhaps best of all, Poco is promising four years of major Android updates and six years of security patches. This kind of long-term software support is fantastic for a phone in the mid-range category, and it means you can keep your device updated and secure for far longer than most competitors. Even if sustainability isn’t front and center, the F7’s durability and software longevity help it stay out of the landfill for years to come.

Value

The Poco F7 is priced competitively at $399 for the 12GB+256GB model and $449 for the 12GB+512GB version, with early bird deals bringing these down to $339 and $399. At this price point, you get a flagship-level Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, a large 6.83-inch AMOLED display, IP68 water resistance, fast charging, and class-leading software support. It’s rare to find this combination of features bundled together in the global mid-range market.

Notable competitors include the iQoo Neo 10, though it is only available in select markets. If wireless charging or top-tier camera performance is your main priority, you might want to look elsewhere. However, for pure performance and features per dollar, the Poco F7 is tough to beat in the mid-range segment.

Verdict

The Poco F7 stands out by blending flagship-grade performance, a vibrant and expansive display, and reliable battery stamina within a bold, modern design. Its powerful performance, massive display, big battery, and solid build make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a premium experience without the typical flagship price tag.

While there are a few minor drawbacks, such as the weight and some software quirks, the overall package is hard to beat in its segment. If you value speed, all-day power, and a futuristic look, the Poco F7 deserves your attention.

The post Poco F7 Review: Flagship Power, Big AMOLED Display, and Bold Design for Under $400 first appeared on Yanko Design.

5G-enabled devices offer so many advantages that are difficult to ignore. If you are interested in getting one but do not want to break the bank, here are the best cheap 5G smartphone options you should explore in 2025.

2024 has been a year of remarkable growth and innovation for Xiaomi. Building upon its success in the smartphone market, the company has expanded its horizons with the launch of its first electric vehicle, the SU7, back in March. The company then proceeded with the launch of its first-ever flip phone, the Xiaomi MIX Flip, as well as the fourth iteration of its flagship foldable, the MIX Fold 4. Impressive sales figures for the SU7 and the positive reception of the MIX Flip and MIX Fold 4 demonstrated Xiaomi’s ability to capture market shares in diverse product categories. It is clear that Xiaomi wants to take advantage of this moment and solidify its position as a leading global technology brand with the launch of the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro. Part of its budget-friendly numbered T series, the Xiaomi 14T Pro boasts flagship features similar to its flagship Xiaomi 14 and 14 Ultra phones, such as cameras co-developed with Leica. But does Xiaomi still have its magic touch or has it spread itself too thin? Read on to find out.

Aesthetics

The Xiaomi 14T Pro’s understated design is its strength. While it doesn’t offer groundbreaking aesthetics, its simplicity is elegant. The familiar design language from its predecessor is carried over into this model. Available in Titan Gray, Titan Blue, and Titan Black, but choosing a color shouldn’t be a challenge as they all offer similar aesthetics. I wish Xiaomi had explored more fun color options. We received the Titan Black variant. The matte black back panel is speckled for a light-catching effect and features a velvety texture that resists fingerprint smudges.

The device’s square camera island is big but maintains a discreet profile that matches the color of the back panel. The camera island’s smooth surface contrasts with the back panel’s textured finish. The arrangement of the cameras and LED light is perfectly symmetrical, centered around the Leica logo. Each camera and LED light is housed in a raised circular enclosure, making it slightly more challenging to clean dust that may accumulate. That said, it carries a sort of LEGO block vibe that makes it stand out a bit, especially from the rest of the Xiaomi 14 series.

The small Xiaomi logo in silver is positioned on the lower left and the regulatory icons and text on the lower right. Overall, 14T Pro offers a clean design, while the matte textured back panel and metallic aluminum alloy frame give it a premium feel. It is simple and direct, a breath of fresh air from the visually noisy designs of recent smartphones.

Ergonomics

Measuring 160.4mm x 75.1mm x 8.39mm and weighing 209g, the Xiaomi 14T Pro leans towards the larger side of the spectrum. Despite its size, the device feels comfortable to hold, whether with one or both hands. All edges slightly curve into the frame giving comfort, while the flat sides provide a better grip when you hold the device in your hand.

The right side of the phone features volume and power buttons with diagonal engraving, while the left side remains clean except for antenna cutouts. The top houses an IR blaster and speaker, while the bottom accommodates a dual SIM slot, microphone, USB-C port, and speaker. The sides might be busy with these many parts, but they visually blend into the frame and stay out of the way of your fingers or your palm when you hold the phone.

The off-center camera module can cause the phone to wobble slightly on flat surfaces which might be a minor inconvenience if they are sensitive to such details. Nothing that a case wouldn’t fix, of course, and it’s a design trait shared by almost all smartphones these days. The Xiaomi 14T Pro is thankfully not uncomfortable to hold and use despite its large size, though it doesn’t stand out as an example of good ergonomics either.

Performance

Xiaomi’s collaboration with Leica has significantly elevated its camera capabilities, resulting in exceptional photo and video quality. This partnership continues as Xiaomi works with Leica on its more budget-friendly flagship models, ensuring high-quality imaging remains accessible. The 14T Pro features a triple camera setup, including a 50MP main camera with an f/1.6 aperture, a 50MP telephoto camera with an f/2.0 aperture, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture. All three cameras offer two Leica photographic styles: “Leica Vibrant” and “Leica Authentic.”

The main camera features a Light Fusion 900 sensor and delivers great photos with nice detail, wide dynamic range, natural colors, and minimal noise in both daylight and low-light conditions. While the dynamic range is generally great, exposure often skews toward the brighter end, leading to washed-out highlights and crushed shadows in some situations. Additionally, HDR performance struggles with motion, especially in low-light environments, leading to blurry images of moving subjects.

The telephoto camera performs well in most scenarios, maintaining good detail and color accuracy. In contrast, the ultra-wide camera produces acceptable photos, but it tends to lack sharpness and detail in challenging conditions.

Portrait mode offers four focal lengths, 23mm, 35mm, 60mm, and 75mm, with the default set to 60mm. While the 60mm and 75mm portraits are captured with the telephoto camera, the 23mm and 35mm portraits are shot with the main camera. All portrait photos I took, regardless of focal length, exhibited impressive subject isolation and pleasing bokeh.

Although color rendering remains consistent across different cameras and magnifications in regular photo mode, a noticeable shift in white balance can be observed between photos captured with the telephoto and main cameras in portrait mode.

On the opposite side, the upgraded 32 MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture takes satisfactory photos, which isn’t that surprising given the hardware. The Xiaomi 14T Pro can record videos up to 8K at 24 or 30 fps with the main camera, while the telephoto and ultra-wide cameras are capable of shooting videos up to 4K at 60 fps. The front-facing camera can record up to 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 60 fps. The 4K footage from the main and telephoto cameras is impressive, showcasing good detail, realistic colors, and a wide dynamic range, all complemented by excellent stabilization.

While the Xiaomi 14T Pro offers incremental hardware improvements compared to its predecessors, its most significant advancements lie in its AI capabilities. The device supports Google Gemini and introduces Circle to Search, a first for Xiaomi devices. Additional AI features include AI Interpreter, AI Notes, AI Recorder, and AI Subtitles. These AI features and Circle to Search will be available via an over-the-air (OTA) update starting September 26th, which means they aren’t accessible during this review period.

One of the AI features I was able to test was AI Erase Pro, and it was remarkably effective. The tool offers four modes: Manual, Remove Object, Remove People, and Remove Lines. The Remove People mode was particularly impressive, accurately recognizing individuals and color-coding them. Even when people were positioned in a staggered formation, the AI could identify each person. However, while erasing people from the photos worked well, the shadows were left unmanipulated.

The other impressive feature of the Xiaomi 14T Pro is a big 6.67-inch AMOLED flat screen that boasts a 1.5K resolution (2,712 x 1,220), a 144Hz refresh rate, and a pixel density of 446 ppi. Supporting 12-bit color depth, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, the display delivers sharp, vibrant visuals. Even under direct sunlight, the peak brightness of 4,000 units ensures excellent visibility while the 3,840 Hz PWM dimming reduces eye fatigue. Also, the stereo speaker is plenty loud and produces nice sounds, making the phone great for enjoying movies.

The 5,000mAh battery provides sufficient power for a full day of use. If you need a quick boost, Xiaomi’s 120W HyperCharge technology allows for incredibly fast wired charging, reaching a full charge in about 19 minutes, as stated by the company. Additionally, the 14T Pro supports 50W wireless charging, a much-welcome upgrade. Xiaomi claims that the device can be fully charged with a wireless charger in approximately 45 minutes. My personal experience aligns with these impressive capabilities.

The device runs HyperOS based on Android 14 and Google services are thankfully available out of the box. Powered by MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9300+ chipset and paired with 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Xiaomi 13T Pro delivers great performance. The device handles multitasking seamlessly, with no noticeable lag or stutter even when running multiple apps simultaneously. Additionally, it does not get hot during extended video shoots or gaming sessions, enhancing the overall user experience.

Sustainability/Repairability

The Xiaomi 14T Pro promises a 1,600 battery life cycle and delivers IP68 dust and water resistance, ensuring both durability and longevity. Its longevity and overall sustainability aspects, however, are not as promising, especially in the area of software updates. This is somewhat disappointing for a company that is becoming one of the industry’s leading players. As the tech industry increasingly emphasizes environmental responsibility, Xiaomi has an opportunity to take a leading role by integrating sustainability into all of its products and, hopefully, it won’t let that opportunity pass it by.

Value

The Xiaomi 14T Pro positions itself as a compelling option for those seeking a high-performance smartphone without breaking the bank. It offers a blend of flagship-level features and a more affordable price point. While its camera may not quite reach the heights of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, it still delivers excellent results for everyday photography and videography. It delivers much of what it promises on paper, but the real question is whether it is something you will reach for in your next smartphone buy.

Xiaomi is definitely not the only player in this field, including in the mid-range market where there are dozens of brands and models to choose from. And while the Xiaomi 14T Pro is definitely good, it doesn’t exactly stand out in any specific way. It’s a well-balanced phone, no doubt, but it might overlooked when placed side-by-side with other mid-range phones with better cameras, higher performance, or, more importantly, lower price tags.

Verdict

The Xiaomi 14T Pro may not be the most exciting phone, but there is no doubt it offers a tempting value proposition. Its solid camera performance, powerful processor, fast-charging capabilities, and vibrant display make it a compelling option for users who prioritize performance and affordability. It may not offer the absolute pinnacle of smartphone technology, leaving that for its more powerful and more expensive non-T siblings, but it doesn’t lag behind in any significant way either. With its combination of features and competitive pricing, the Xiaomi 14T Pro delivers a well-rounded experience that is sure to satisfy the needs of most users.

The post Xiaomi 14T Pro Review: Flagship Features Without the Flagship Price first appeared on Yanko Design.