One look at the specs of the newly launched POCO F7 Pro and I am reminded of Adam Sandler’s 100% Fresh Special on Netflix, wherein he did a number with the title “Phone Wallet Keys.”
The rap song, if you may call it that, focuses on the three most basic things one needs — phone, wallet, and keys.
Which brought me to the three most basic things that a smartphone should offer, at least decently — battery, camera, performance.
The R&D guys of the POCO F7 Pro, which was launched recently at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre with its more powerful sibling, the F7 Ultra, offers those three — and with flying colors.
Camera
Admittedly, past POCO phones won’t win you any photo contest awards.
Not anymore.
Makers of the POCO F7 Series have made it conscious effort to boost its camera system and give users an amazing mobile photography experience. Our group of some 40 journalists and bloggers could attest to this during a tour at the Gardens By The Bay in Singapore.
From the Supertee Grove all the way to the Flower Dome and Floral Fantasy, photos taken using the POCO F7 Pro’s 50MP main camera, bolstered by the Light Fusion 800 sensor, produced stunning shots with exceptional clarity and vibrant detail. Don’t take our word for it, just look at the wonderful photos we took.
Meanwhile, the 8MP ultra-wide lens expands your perspective, allowing you to effortlessly capture breathtaking panoramas and inclusive group photos.
Even the AI enhancements are a gem as they provide the tools to refine and enhance your photos and videos, transforming them into captivating works of art.
Battery
Recognizing the ever-increasing demand for sustained smartphone usage, POCO has prioritized ultra-efficient battery performance in its latest devices. The POCO F7 Pro’s twin, the F7 Ultra boasts of a substantial 5,300mAh battery, designed to keep you powered throughout the day. But for those requiring even longer endurance, the POCO F7 Pro features a massive 6,000mAh battery, paired with 90W HyperCharge, providing hours of uninterrupted performance for even the most intensive tasks.
The POCO F7 Pro’s advanced charging chipsets significantly enhance charging speed and prolong battery lifespan, achieving optimized charging efficiency and maintaining battery health over time. Even after 1,600 charging cycles, the battery retains over 80% of its original capacity, demonstrating exceptional longevity.
During our two-day Singapore trip, I charged the POCO F7 Pro just once and went by all my smartphone businesses without any worries.
Performance
For gamers seeking uncompromising performance, the POCO F7 Pro delivers with its Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 chipset and Xiaomi HyperOS 2. WildBoost Optimization 4.0 ensures ultra-smooth and responsive gameplay.
I am not a gamer myself, but to test its gaming capabilities, I let my nephew take it for a spin playing Genshin Impact. By activating its Super Resolution and Smart Frame Rate, the extended gaming experience proved to be exciting, with smooth visuals and ultra-responsive controls, as it went on without any lags and the phone staying cool. This was due to its LiquidCool Technology 4.0, 3D dual-channel IceLoop system with a 5400mm loop heat pipe, effectively reducing SoC temperatures by up to 3°C¹º and preventing thermal throttling.
I myself was able to use it for two days, closing and editing the sports pages of the Manila Standard without any hassle when I was in Singapore.
Design, Durability, More
The POCO F7 Pro features a unique gloss-matte glass back, a smooth metal frame, and a stylish camera ring. It’s also durable, with IP68 dust and water resistance and Gorilla Glass 7i, so you can take it to the beach, or go hiking without any worries.
Recognizing that flagship performance demands an equally exceptional user experience, the POCO F7 Pro, according to its press release, also significantly enhances connectivity and entertainment. A dedicated signal enhancement chipset, the Surge T1S tuner, boosts cellular performance by up to 37% in mid-high frequencies, ensuring a more stable and reliable connection. Additionally, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance are improved by up to 16%, providing seamless wireless experiences. For immersive entertainment, the device features Stereo Dual Speakers that deliver powerful and clear audio.
Furthermore, AI Super Cinema technology elevates both audio and visuals, transforming every moment into a captivating cinematic experience, whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or enjoying multimedia content.
Verdict
The POCO F7 Pro is a well-rounded device that delivers on its promises. It successfully addresses the three core aspects of a modern smartphone — performance, camera, and battery life, and does so with significant improvements over previous POCO models.
Product availability
The POCO F7 Pro, offered in Black, Silver, and Blue, is available in 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB configurations and is sold exclusively on Shopee.