The gap between flagship and midrange phones continues to close, thanks to devices like Xiaomi’s Poco X7 Pro. Starting at just $350 (£309), you get a large screen, silky performance, and bags of stamina. The hardware includes generous storage, fast charging, and an IP68 rating. The usual compromises are here, like no wireless charging, a boatload of bloatware, and a mediocre camera system, but this is still a bargain.
My limited-edition Iron Man–themed review unit looks different but is nearly identical to the regular Poco X7 Pro on the inside, adding extra RAM and storage for a price bump to $399 (£349). For anyone seeking a solid Android phone that nails the important features, the Poco X7 Pro demands a spot on your short list. Xiaomi phones are not usually available in the US, but the Poco X7 Pro is available on Amazon. Just be careful, because it won’t support the bands necessary for some US carriers. The listing suggests it’s suitable for T-Mobile’s network, including Mint and Tello. I’ve been testing it with EE in the UK and it works great.
Fine Fundamentals
Photograph: Simon Hill
Xiaomi goes for a fun feel with its Poco brand, so the X7 Pro looks very different from the company’s Redmi Note 14 Pro (even though the specs are very similar). Xiaomi has gone all out with its Marvel partnership in my Iron Man model, with lots of red and gold, a fully themed box, SIM tool, red USB-C cable, and a minimal case that leaves the Iron Man art and Avengers logo on display. Internally, the regular X7 Pro is the same and comes in two-tone black, green, or Poco’s signature yellow and black.
It’s a straightforward design with two large camera lenses on the back, a flat screen, and a thick frame that makes it very easy to handle. Despite being a large phone, it’s relatively lightweight. The screen has Gorilla Glass 7i protection, and the Poco X7 Pro scores an IP68 rating, which means it can survive a dunk in the pool, a rarity at this price, though Motorola’s new Moto G Power also just added an IP68/69 rating for the first time.
The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is one of the most enticing things about the Poco X7 Pro and boasts a 2,170 x 1,220-pixel resolution, 12-bit color depth, and 120-Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for movie streaming. It’s also pretty bright at around 700 nits, with a 1,400 nit maximum and peak brightness up to 3,200 nits for HDR highlights. It’s a strong all-rounder that looks great, even side by side with a much more expensive flagship.
Photograph: Simon Hill