Poco F7 5G Review: Best Value Gaming Smartphone You Can Buy Under 30K
Introduction
Budget gaming phones in India have evolved massively, and Poco has been one of the brand leaders in this space. The Poco F7 5G continues that legacy by offering flagship-like performance at a mid-range price. After using the device for months, this long-term review covers everything—design, gaming performance, battery life, camera quality, and whether it still remains the best gaming phone under 30K in 2025.
Design & Build Quality
- 6.83” 1.5K Ultra-bright Display
- Refresh rate: Up to 120 Hz
- Touch sampling rate: Up to Hz
- Instant touch sampling rate: 2560 Hz * 2560 Hz. Instant touch sampling rate is activated under Game Turbo Mode.
- Wet Touch display 2.0. Type brightness: 700 nits
- HBM brightness: 1700 nits
- Peak brightness: 3200 nits, covering 25% of the display area
- Contrast ratio: 8,000,000:1.
- Resolution: 2772*1280: 447
- Colour gamut: DCI-P3
- Colour depth: 68 billion
- Pro HDR display
- Adaptive HDR
- Reading mode
- Cycle mode 2.0
- Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
- Dolby Vision HDR 10+
The Poco F7 5G carries a clean, modern, and slightly aggressive design language that matches its gaming DNA. Even after months of daily use, the phone shows minimal scratches thanks to its strong plastic-polycarbonate frame and Gorilla Glass protection.
The flat-frame design gives it a solid feel, and the phone weighs just right—not too heavy for long gaming sessions, not too light to feel cheap. The buttons are tactile, the fingerprint scanner is quick, and the matte back finish prevents smudges. Overall, Poco has balanced style and practicality excellently.
Display Quality
The front houses a vibrant AMOLED display that instantly stands out in this segment. The 120 Hz or 144 Hz high refresh rate (depending on the variant) ensures every animation feels ultra-smooth, especially during gaming.
Key Display Highlights
- Deep blacks and punchy colors
- High touch sampling rate for fast gaming response
- Excellent brightness for outdoor conditions
- HDR support for streaming
In long-term use, the display shows no signs of burn-in or tint issues. And for gamers, the fast touch response makes aiming in BGMI or CODM incredibly accurate.
Performance & Gaming Test
This is where the Poco F7 5G truly shines. Powered by a flagship-grade Snapdragon 8s Gen4 processor, the phone delivers exceptional performance even months after heavy usage.
Real-World Performance
- Apps open instantly
- Multitasking is lag-free
- Zero stutters even with 20+ apps in the background
- No performance throttling under daily use
Gaming Performance
We tested BGMI, COD Mobile, Genshin Impact, Free Fire Max, and Asphalt 9.
BGMI: Plays smoothly at 90 fps with consistent frame rates.
COD Mobile: Ultra Graphics + Max FPS runs perfectly.
Genshin Impact: Medium to high settings give 50–55 fps stable gameplay.
Heating: The heat management is surprisingly good. Even during long sessions, the phone stays warm but never uncomfortably hot.
Long-Term Observation:
Even after months, the phone’s gaming performance hasn’t dropped. No micro-lags, no frame skips, and no thermal throttling issues—this is a big win for Poco.
Software Experience
Poco’s software (HyperOS or MIUI-based) is stable, smooth, and more polished than older versions. The UI is faster, transitions feel refined, and the notification system works flawlessly.
Software Notes
- Minimal ads
- Good level of customisation
- Clean animations
- Regular security updates
- Few pre-installed apps, but removable
Long-term, the phone remains fast without UI slowdowns. With 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security updates, the device will stay relevant for years.
Camera Performance
While the Poco F7 5G is mainly a gaming phone, its cameras perform surprisingly well for the price. The primary sensor captures clean, detailed shots in daylight and maintains accurate colours.
Camera Details
Rear camera
- 50MP main camera Sony IMX882f/1.51.6μm super pixel (4-in-1) 6.
- 8MP ultra-wide camera OV08F
Front camera
- 20MP front camera OV20B (1/4″ sensor size) f/2.24p lens,
- portrait mode
- HDR
- Palm Shuttle
- Voice Shutter
- Dynamic shot
- Selfie timer
Camera Breakdown
- Daylight Photos: Sharp, vibrant, and well-exposed.
- Low-Light: Decent; night mode improves dynamic range.
- Video: Stable 4K recording with good detail.
- Selfies: Skin tones are natural, and portrait mode works nicely.
Is it the best camera phone under 30K? No. But it’s definitely good enough for social media uploads and casual photography.
Battery Life & Charging
Gaming phones need strong battery performance, and Poco F7 5G does not disappoint.
Battery Performance
- 7550 mAh+ battery
- 90W HyperCharge
- 22.5W Reverse Charging
- Easily lasts a full day
- up to 10 hours screen-on time
- Smooth performance even at high refresh rate
Gaming Drain
- BGMI at fps: 12–14% per hour
- Genshin Impact: 15–18% per hour
The included fast charger juices up the phone extremely quickly. You can go from 0 to 100% in around 45–55 minutes, depending on the variant.
Long-Term Battery Health:
After months of usage, battery degradation is minimal—around 3–5%, which is excellent.
Connectivity & Audio
- Dual speakers
- Dolby Atmos certification
- Hi-Res Audio certification
- Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification
The Poco F7 5G supports all essential 5G bands in India, ensuring reliable speeds. WiFi connectivity is stable, Bluetooth audio works smoothly, and call quality remains sharp.
The dual speakers offer loud, balanced audio—great for gaming and media consumption. Haptics are also surprisingly good for this price range.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Outstanding gaming performance under 30K
- Superb AMOLED display
- Fast charging with strong battery life
- Great value for money
- Smooth UI experience
- Solid build and heat management
Cons
- Camera performance is good, but not class-leading
- Some pre-installed apps
- Plastic frame (though strong)
Price in India
The Poco F7 5G offers multiple storage variants:
- 12GB RAM + 256GB: ₹30,999/-
- 12GB RAM + 512GB: ₹32,999/-
For the performance it delivers, the pricing is unbeatable.
Long-Term Verdict
After months of heavy use, it’s clear that the Poco F7 5G remains one of the best performance-focused smartphones you can buy under ₹30,000.
If your priority is gaming, speed, display smoothness, and long-term performance, the Poco F7 5G stands out as the best value-for-money option in this entire price segment.
It’s fast, cool, reliable, and built to handle gaming for years.
Final Conclusion
The Poco F7 5G delivers everything a gamer or power user needs—excellent performance, a fluid display, a dependable battery, and stable long-term usage. While the camera is decent rather than exceptional, the overall package under 30K is unbeatable.
If you’re looking for a gaming beast with the best value, the Poco F7 5G should be your top choice.
