Edward
The POCO F7 has taken the Indonesian market by storm, hailed by many as the “Flagship Killer Killer” of 2025. With top-tier specs like the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, up to 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, and a massive 6500mAh battery, it promises performance that punches far above its price class. But while initial reviews praise its speed and value, several crucial aspects remain underexplored or missing altogether. In this article, we go deeper—uncovering what most reviews didn’t tell you.
Massive Battery, But With Trade-Offs
Many reviews highlight the POCO F7’s enormous 6500mAh battery as a game-changer—especially when paired with 90W Turbo Charging. However, what they fail to mention is that wireless charging and reverse charging are entirely absent, a limitation that places it a step behind true flagship devices. Users looking for full charging flexibility may be disappointed.
Moreover, although POCO claims a full charge in 30–40 minutes using the bundled 90W charger, some competitors in 2025 offer 100W+ wired AND wireless charging. In other words, while fast, it’s no longer unmatched.
No Headphone Jack, No microSD—Flexibility Cut
A major point that’s often glossed over is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot. This restricts media and audio flexibility—especially for users with wired headphones or those who rely on expandable storage. For gamers or creators who juggle large files, this could be a dealbreaker.
Stunning Display, But How Bright Is It Really?
In theory, the POCO F7’s 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen can reach a maximum brightness of 3200 nits and has a refresh rate of 120 Hz. However, independent lab tests show the screen peaks at 1000 nits in bright sunlight, with around 620 nits indoors—a far cry from the 3200 nits claim.
Still, the panel offers vibrant colors, good contrast, and excellent touch response. It also features Gorilla Glass 7i protection, an in-display fingerprint reader, and Always-On Display support. For the price, this remains one of the best screens in the mid-range segment—just don’t expect flagship-tier brightness.
Camera Performance: Good, Not Groundbreaking
With an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor with OIS, the POCO F7 produces crisp, balanced photos in the daytime.. However, low-light performance and dynamic range could be inconsistent—something few reviews have demonstrated with real-world samples.
Flexibility is limited when a telephoto or macro lens is not used. Although it doesn’t have autofocus, the 20MP front camera takes good selfies. The phone supports up to 4K 60fps video recording and 960fps slow-mo at 1080p, which is impressive—but again, sample footage is sparse across most current reviews.
Performance: A Real Beast, But Where Are the Benchmarks?
Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 (4nm), the F7 delivers raw power for gaming, multitasking, and intensive use. Most reports mention AnTuTu scores above 1.3 million, putting it in near-flagship territory. Yet, there’s a surprising lack of detailed gaming benchmarks—such as FPS data in Genshin Impact or throttling behavior in extended sessions.
POCO’s HyperOS 2.0, based on Android 15, introduces Smart Frame Rate and Game Turbo features for smoother gaming. But again, long-session performance metrics are missing from most reviews. This is key information for mobile gamers, and it deserves more attention.
Premium Build, Bulky Size
The F7 features a glass body with a metal frame, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a clean, minimalist design. However, weighing 216 grams and measuring 8.2mm thick, it’s not ideal for one-handed use—a fact rarely addressed. That weight largely comes from its giant battery, so it’s a trade-off between endurance and ergonomics.
Audio & Connectivity: Powerful, But Not Perfect
Stereo speakers deliver loud, crisp sound, and POCO retains its classic IR blaster—useful for controlling TVs and other devices. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and 5G are supported by the phone. But again, the lack of a headphone jack and microSD slot reduces overall connectivity convenience.
One misconception worth correcting: while some sources mention 120W charging, the retail box only includes a 90W charger, and no wireless charging is supported.
Final Verdict: A Flagship Killer With Caveats
For IDR 5.6 to 6 million, the POCO F7 is undeniably one of the fastest, most feature-packed smartphones in its class. It’s ideal for tech-savvy users, gamers, and budget-conscious buyers who prioritize raw performance, display quality, and battery life.
However, if you’re looking for wireless charging, microSD expansion, or a headphone jack, this might not be the all-rounder you’re hoping for. For now, it remains a strong contender in the mid-flagship race, but to truly dominate, POCO must address the small gaps that prevent this “flagship killer” from being the flagship itself.
