Unboxing Flagship POCO F7 Ultra

POCO has long been recognized for its upper mid-range smartphones, but the new F7 Ultra represents a significant leap forward. This device, essentially a rebranded version of the China-only Redmi K80 Pro, promises flagship-tier features at a competitive price point.

Design and Build: POCO F7 Ultra – Fresh Take on Smartphone Aesthetics

The POCO F7 Ultra stands out with its distinctive design elements:

• Two-toned rear cover with a shiny circular camera housing
• Anti-glare glass back reminiscent of early Pixel phone designs
• Impressive IP68 rating, a rarity in the POCO lineup

Performance Powerhouse: Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the device offers intriguing performance characteristics:

• Conservative CPU performance profile focusing on battery efficiency
• Stable GPU performance with around 70% stability
• Smooth real-world performance in gaming and multitasking
• Ability to run demanding games like GRID Legends and Genshin Impact without significant issues

Thermal Considerations: Managing High-Performance Challenges

While the phone demonstrates impressive capabilities, it does come with some thermal management challenges:

• Peak temperatures ranging from 48.1 to 50.8 degrees Celsius during stress tests
• Despite high temperatures, real-world usage remains smooth and consistent
• Potential concern for users who push the device to its absolute limits

Camera System: A Versatile Photography Experience

The F7 Ultra introduces a compelling camera setup:

• 50MP 2.5x telephoto camera with OIS
• 50MP main camera (1/1.55-inch) with f/1.6 aperture
• 32MP ultrawide lens
• Notable features include:
  • 8K video recording
  • AI Zoom toggle
  • Long-exposure modes
  • Motion capture capabilities

Camera Performance Highlights

• Flagship-grade image quality
• Impressive 2.5x telephoto performance
• Lossless 5x zoom capability
• Limitations in ultrawide and macro photography modes

POCO F7 Ultra : Display and User Experience

The smartphone boasts impressive display specifications:

• 6.67-inch QHD+ OLED screen
• LTPO technology
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Peak brightness of 3,200 nits
• Ultra-fast ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor

Battery and Charging: Balancing Capacity and Speed

Key battery and charging specifications include:

• 5,300mAh battery
• 120W wired charging (100% charge in 34 minutes)
• 50W wireless charging
• Battery rated for 1,600 charging cycles

POCO F7 Ultra : Software and Additional Features

The device runs on Hyper OS 2 atop Android 15, offering:

• Reduced bloatware
• Four years of OS upgrades
• Six years of security patches
• Additional features like IR blaster and dual stereo speakers

Pricing and Value Proposition

Ultra Pricing

• 12GB/256GB variant: $649 (early bird price $599)
• 12GB/512GB variant: $699 (early bird price $649)

Pro Pricing

• 12GB/256GB variant: $499 (promotional price $449)

POCO F7 Ultra : Conclusion

The POCO F7 Ultra offers an impressive package for budget-conscious flagship seekers. While it isn’t perfect, its combination of performance, camera capabilities, and competitive pricing makes it a compelling option in the 2025 smartphone market.

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Versatile camera system
• Strong performance
• IP68 rating

Cons

• High thermal performance under extreme stress
• No eSIM support
• Uncertain back glass protection