Poco expands its lineup with the Poco F7 Ultra , its first Ultra-branded smartphone. It features the Snapdragon 8 Elite for flagship performance, a versatile triple camera, and 120W lightning charging. It's an attractive device that aims for the high-end, but still has some compromises. Here's our full review.
With the F7 Ultra, launched at the end of March 2025, Poco is taking a step forward. This is the first time the brand has dared to add the "Ultra" label to one of its products. And for good reason: a high-end processor, a triple camera module worthy of the name, wireless charging for the first time at Poco, IP68 certification... On paper, everything is in place to shake up the hierarchy. Priced at €517 for the 12/256 GB version, this smartphone is taking on the €1,200 premium smartphones head-on. But does the stated ambition translate into reality? We spent hours mistreating it to find out.
Table of Contents
Design: character to spare
Let's be frank about the design: the Poco F7 Ultra leaves no one indifferent . With its iconic yellow color, it's a real ray of sunshine in the grayness of current smartphones. Xiaomi wanted to break the mold after last year's F6 and F6 Pro, and mission accomplished. For those who prefer discretion, a more sober black color is also available.
The camera module is a poem in itself. A plump circle pressed into the upper left corner, like an eye watching over everything. The edges are particularly neat with a double ring: the first in a shiny metal look, the second forming a golden border reminiscent of the Poco X7 Pro . It's classy, bold, and it goes perfectly with the flashy back. Do you approve of this look or do you prefer discretion? The question divides, but it's impossible to accuse Xiaomi of lacking personality.
Construction-wise, there's no compromise . We're entitled to an IP68 certification that makes the device submersible up to 2.50 meters for 30 minutes, a confidence-inspiring aluminum frame, and a full glass back in its yellow version. The texture of the glass is soft to the touch and leaves virtually no fingerprints. Be careful, however, the texture of the aluminum edges is rather slippery. With its 8.4 mm thickness and 212 grams , the Poco F7 Ultra has a real presence in the hand. Neither too heavy nor too light, just right. It's also less than an iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is still reasonable for a device in this category.
The ergonomics are generally neat. The buttons fall right under the fingers on the right edge: power button and volume control are perfectly positioned. The side edges are flat, a current trend that makes it easier to grip. At the bottom, we find the USB-C port, the speaker grille and the drawer for two SIM cards. Important point: no memory expansion is possible , the smartphone does not support micro SD cards. You will therefore have to choose your storage configuration carefully when purchasing. A gray case is included in the box, but it will completely hide the vitamin color of the back. Too bad.
Poco F7 Ultra screen: excellence at the rendezvous
On the Poco F7 Ultra we have a 6.67-inch AMOLED with particularly thin and uniform borders that optimize the display space. The selfie camera of the Poco F7 Ultra is housed in a discreet punch-hole. True to form, Xiaomi does not do things by halves with this panel which can display an impressive resolution of 2K (1440 by 3200 pixels) or remain in Full HD+ to save battery. Honestly, the difference between the two definitions is very subtle to the naked eye. If it exists, it is not obvious in everyday use.
Let's talk about brightness, and this is serious stuff. The maximum brightness in normal use reaches 1800 nits , which is frankly very high and guarantees perfect readability even in direct sunlight. The peak brightness in HDR even climbs up to 3200 nits , enough to fully enjoy compatible content. The sunlight mode also comes to the rescue of dazzled users by automatically adjusting the display. Even in full sun, there's no need to worry about seeking shade to read your messages.
The refresh rate can go up to 120 Hz with a choice of a fixed rate of 60 Hz or 120 Hz. Fluidity is there at all times, whether scrolling on social networks, navigating through menus or playing games. Nothing to complain about, it's excellent quality. On the other hand, and this is where we can be nervous given the Ultra mention in its name, the screen does not allow you to go below 60 Hz to further save the battery. On a smartphone at this price, we could have hoped for an adaptive frequency going down to 1 Hz like on high-end competitors. It's a shame.
Solidity is not to be outdone. This screen is protected by Poco Shield Glass , announced by the brand as 20 times more resistant to drops than Gorilla Glass. Xiaomi even claims that it would be equivalent to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, but it is difficult to find independent data to verify this. A protective film is applied at the factory, which is appreciable. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is perfectly integrated under the screen, at exactly the right height. In our case, it proved to be a little less effective than that of the Poco X7 Pro for example, but overall it works well and is more efficient than that of the Samsung Galaxy S25.
Whether you're a movie buff, a gamer, or simply a social media addict, the Poco F7 Ultra's display won't let you down. It's a stunning display without compromise.
Sound: Not his strong point
Regarding the Poco F7 Ultra's sound experience, we're treated to two speakers in a stereo configuration : one at the bottom and the earpiece acting as a second speaker. The result? A decent sound with good power and a fairly balanced reproduction for watching videos, playing games, or listening to music occasionally. It's pleasant, it helps out.
But and this is where the problem lies, the sound is not at the level of other high-end devices . We'll talk again about this famous Ultra mention, because frankly, the audio quality would have deserved more attention. Little bass, a lack of general richness, a very slight saturation at high volume... It clearly lacks quality for a product that is positioned to titillate the market giants. We feel that the Poco F7 Ultra does not quite box in the same category as a Galaxy S25, and even less than an iPhone. Really a shame on a device that aims for excellence everywhere else.
Performance: a racing beast
Now let's get to the heart of the Poco F7 Ultra, and let's just say it right away: it's heavy . The processor is a Snapdragon 8 Elite supported by an Adreno 830 GPU . It's simple, it's the most powerful processor currently available on Android before the arrival of its second version. You have the choice between 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM in LPDDR5X, and everything works with UFS 4.1 . Suffice to say that you'll really have to work hard to bring this Snapdragon 8 Elite to its knees.
When it comes to connectivity, Xiaomi has pulled out all the stops: WiFi 7 , Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, dual SIM 5G. It's all there. In raw performance, we got a monumental score of 2,414,300 points on AnTuTu . That's a bit higher than the Galaxy S25 and about 40% higher than the already extremely good Poco X7 Pro. To give you an idea of the power, it's 17 times more powerful than a Redmi A3. Yes, you read that right.
So, there's no need to dwell on pure performance. You can keep in mind that it's perfect all the time : running applications, multitasking, and gaming. It's far too powerful for the uses that most users will have for it. As a result, it never heats up under normal use, even during intensive gaming. The most demanding titles on the Play Store run like clockwork. Benchmarks show a stability of around 70% on 3DMark, which is still very solid in this price range.
Of course, after a good half hour of gaming, you can still feel a certain heat on the back of the smartphone. Nothing prohibitive, it's normal for such a powerful processor, but it's best to avoid hugging it like a hot water bottle in summer. And yes, it can heat up if you run benchmarks repeatedly, which will slightly reduce its performance to protect the components. But in real use, even intensive? You'll never be limited .
Photos and videos: versatility finally here
Xiaomi has finally played the versatility card in photography with this Poco F7 Ultra, and miraculously, the three sensors on the back are really useful . There is a 50-megapixel Light Fusion 800 wide angle with f/1.6 aperture and optical stabilization, a 50-megapixel 2.5x telephoto lens with f/2.0 aperture also stabilized, and a 32-megapixel ultra wide angle with f/2.2 aperture. No Leica partnership here, but the quality is definitely there.
The wide angle is the Swiss army knife of the lot. It captures detailed images with vivid colors and well-balanced contrast, whether in bright light or when night falls. It's the same sensor as on the F6 Pro, so no revolution, but it does the job perfectly. Everyday photos are sharp, bright, and ready to be shared without retouching. We have very good overall quality . The results are very satisfactory, even in dark or night situations, provided you don't move during capture to avoid slight blur. Obviously, we remain a notch below the top-of-the-range models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or the Xiaomi 15 Ultra , but for the price, it's frankly impressive.
The ultra wide angle is the tightrope walker of the trio. It widens the scene, perfect for landscapes or group photos. In broad daylight, it performs honorably. But beware, it sometimes lacks precision, especially at the edges , and its dynamic range is not always there. As usual with this type of lens, there is a slight drop in quality compared to the main module, but nothing really bothersome in good light. As soon as the light drops, however, it prefers to go to bed. Avoid at night, therefore, to avoid unwanted artistic blur.
The 2.5x telephoto lens is the real surprise of this generation. It offers precise and detailed shots day and night, and even allows for some macro prowess thanks to its close-up focusing capability. It's truly a pleasure to use. The digital zoom goes up to 60x, but let's be honest, it's mostly for show. Beyond 10x, the quality quickly deteriorates.
On the app side, Xiaomi still offers a comprehensive interface with creative modes and easy access to different zooms. The colors are well rendered, the sharpness is there, and the whole thing remains consistent across the three modules. We feel that Xiaomi wanted to flex its muscles a little on the photo side, even if it doesn't reach the heights of the premium segment. It's a real pleasure to use on a daily basis.
For video, the Poco F7 Ultra flexes its muscles and boasts filming up to 8K at 24 fps . Useful or gimmicky? It's up to you to decide. Unless you plan to project your videos on the facade of a building, 4K at 60 fps remains more than sufficient for most uses. The main lens also allows slow motion up to 960 fps in Full HD and even 1920 fps in HD . Plenty of fun.
The stabilization does its job well. Your videos remain smooth, even if your hand is a little shaky from your morning coffee. The visual rendering is frankly good with faithful colors and a sharp image, especially on the wide angle where the focus reacts instantly. No need to run after the subject, the camera follows it exactly. A nice little extra: you can switch from one sensor to another in the middle of recording without cutting the scene, allowing you to vary the shots without any hassle. Be careful, however, the ultra wide angle can only film in 1080p maximum.
The selfie lens is a 32-megapixel wide-angle with an f/2.0 aperture. The results are decent, but not exceptional, and are more than sufficient for video conferencing and selfies for social media.
Android 15 and HyperOS 2: Complete but Perfectible
As for the Poco F7 Ultra's OS, we're on familiar ground with Android 15 and HyperOS 2. Broadly speaking, it has the strengths and weaknesses we're familiar with from Xiaomi. The interface is polished, fluid, with new features often powered by artificial intelligence. Between the dynamic wallpapers and the customization options galore, including for the lock screen, there's no getting bored.
You'll get AI features built-in: Google Gemini with visual search (circle to search), writing and speech recognition assistance, gallery editing features with image enhancement and expansion, object or person removal, reflection removal, sky modification, and AI-powered dynamic wallpaper creation. For those curious to go further, there are comprehensive tutorials to help you master all these features.
A real plus: we have a real Always On Display here, always on . Yes, always on. And not deactivated every 10 seconds like on other models in the Poco family. This is useful in everyday life for checking the time and notifications at a glance.
In terms of software longevity, Xiaomi promises 4 years of major updates and 6 years of security patches for . That's nice, even if today Samsung and Google are playing more in the 7-year league. We could have hoped for better on a device positioned in the Ultra category.
Now, let's talk about the flaws, because there are some. As is often the case with Xiaomi, the OS lacks a bit of advanced customization compared to some competitors. More annoying: there are quite a few pre-installed software programs that cannot be uninstalled and that regularly dump their share of ads . For this specific point, it can be annoying, even if it won't be the case for everyone. Tutorials exist to eliminate as many as possible and find a cleaner interface. In fact, we already have ads everywhere: YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Google search... It's up to you to see if it really bothers you or not.
Autonomy and recharging: excellence
The Poco F7 Ultra has a 5300 mAh battery , and the battery life is frankly very good thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor which is particularly optimized in terms of energy consumption. You will easily last two days without any problem with fairly heavy use: web browsing, social networks, streaming and a little gaming to spice things up. The smartphone provides a good day of battery life, or even a little more if you are not the type to chain sessions of Genshin Impact until the end of the night.
For power-hungry users who overdo it with gaming and 4K streaming, you'll naturally need to consider daily charging. The PCMark test shows a very decent score, placing the device in a good average. In real-world use, it's downright comfortable.
But where the Poco F7 Ultra really stands out is in charging. Wired charging is ultra-fast with a maximum power of 120W . It's monumental. Be careful, however, you will need to use the brand's charger to take full advantage of it. With the included adapter, you can aim for a full charge in less than 40 minutes . From 0 to 100% in a flash, time to grab a coffee and hop, ready to go for another ride.
And for the first time at Poco, wireless charging arrives at 50W . This is excellent news. Say goodbye to tangled cables and recharge in quick pause mode on a compatible base. Again, this is very high for wireless charging, and it allows you to quickly recover battery life without plugging in a single cable. Good point.
✔ Exceptional performance: Thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the most powerful Android processor available.
✔ Stunning 2K AMOLED display: 3200 nits peak and 120Hz refresh rate.
✔ Truly versatile triple camera module: Finally, all sensors serve a purpose.
✔ Comfortable battery life of two days in normal use.
✔ Ultra-fast charging: 120W wired and 50W wireless (a first for Poco).
✔ Unbeatable value for money at less than €600.
✔ IP68 certification for water and dust resistance.
✔ Always On Display: Finally available from Poco.
✔ Premium Construction: Aluminum frame and glass back.
✔ WiFi 7 and full connectivity.
✔ Bold design that leaves no one indifferent.
✖ Average speakers: Not at the level of a true flagship.
✖ Ads in HyperOS (although they can be removed).
✖ No micro SD slot: No storage expansion possible.
✖ Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor could be improved: Less responsive than on some models.
✖ Ultra wide angle limited in low light.
✖ Slippery aluminum slices.
✖ Software support: only 4 years of updates (compared to 7 years for Samsung and Google).
✖ Weight of 212 grams: A little heavy for some users.
✖ Screen that does not go below 60 Hz (bad for battery saving).
Verdict: The best Poco ever launched
Xiaomi and Poco have delivered a high-flying with undeniable assets in terms of performance, photos, videos, autonomy and premium design . If we put aside the flashy marketing, we can say that we maintain a certain consistency with a smartphone offered at €517 . This Poco F7 Ultra truly stands out as the best Poco ever launched .
It beefs up its performance, that's not a surprise with the Snapdragon 8 Elite , but above all it progresses where we didn't necessarily expect it. Versatility in photography naturally takes a leap forward, even if we remain a few lengths behind the top dogs from Xiaomi like the 15 and 15 Ultra. The arrival of 50W wireless charging is excellent news. This Poco F7 Ultra proves to be balanced, powerful, versatile and frankly pleasant to use on a daily basis. Xiaomi has found the right recipe to seduce without falling into excess.
When you consider its qualities against its price, it's simply unbeatable . It does have some less successful points, such as the screen that doesn't go below 60 Hz, the speakers that deliver average sound, or the OS ads. But for us, all of this remains acceptable given all its qualities and its reasonable price .
Who is this smartphone recommended for? For those looking for premium smartphone performance without breaking the bank versatile photography enthusiasts who want a truly usable telephoto lens . For mobile users who need battery life and ultra-fast charging . For those who aren't afraid of a design that stands out from the crowd.
Who isn't it suitable for? Audiophiles who want the best possible stereo sound. Those who are allergic to ads in the interface. Users who want at least 7 years of software support. Those who value compactness above all else.
But above all, don't rush into it immediately. Take the time to wait for the price to drop a little further; Xiaomi frequently offers sales . You should also consider looking elsewhere, especially at the Xiaomi 14T and 14T Pro , which remain very good alternatives. These models, released several months ago, still offer excellent value for money, sometimes selling for less than €400 on sale for the 14T Pro. This is an option not to be overlooked.
On the other hand, if you want to stay with Poco and don't particularly care about the rear design of this phone as well as the telephoto lens, you can consider going for the Poco X7 Pro . It is a little less powerful, but the performance is still very high for a significantly lower price. It's up to you to weigh the pros and cons according to your priorities.
In the end, does the Poco F7 Ultra deserve its Ultra rating? Almost. It would have needed to refine a few details like the sound and the adaptive screen to get the perfect rating. But with such a performance/price ratio , it's hard to hold it against it. Xiaomi has succeeded in its bet: offering a premium smartphone that doesn't blush in front of the big names, while remaining affordable .
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