POCO F7 Unboxing & First Impressions: Is This the Best Budget Phone of 2024?

By Rahul

18 June 2025

The **POCO F7** has arrived, and we’ve got our hands on it! Packed with a **Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, 120Hz AMOLED display, and 64MP OIS camera**, this phone promises flagship-level performance at a mid-range price. But does it live up to the hype?

In this **detailed unboxing and first impressions**, we’ll cover:

✔ **What’s inside the POCO F7 box?**

✔ **Design & build quality impressions**

✔ **Display, performance, and camera quick test**

✔ **How it compares to the Redmi Note 13 Pro & Realme 12 Pro**

✔ **Should you buy it?**

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## **1. Unboxing the POCO F7: What’s in the Box?**

Here’s everything you get with the **POCO F7**:

📦 **The Box:** Sleek yellow packaging with POCO’s signature branding.

### **Inside the Box:**

✔ **POCO F7** (6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz)

✔ **67W Fast Charger** (no charger tax here!)

✔ **USB Type-C Cable** (white, 1m length)

✔ **TPU Case** (transparent, basic protection)

✔ **SIM Ejector Tool**

✔ **Quick Start Guide & Warranty Card**

**Missing?**

❌ No earphones (expected at this price).

❌ No screen protector pre-applied.

---

## **2. Design & Build: Premium Feel on a Budget?**

### **First Impressions:**

- **Back Panel:** Matte plastic (anti-fingerprint) with a **glossy camera module**.

- **Frame:** Flat-edge plastic (mimics metal).

- **Colors:** **Black, Blue, and Silver** (ours is the sleek black variant).

- **Weight:** **185g** – Lighter than the **Redmi Note 13 Pro (204g)**.

### **Buttons & Ports:**

✔ **Power button + fingerprint sensor** (side-mounted).

✔ **Volume rocker** (tactile feedback).

✔ **IR blaster** (for remote control use).

✔ **3.5mm headphone jack** (rare in 2024!).

**Verdict:** **8/10** – Looks premium, but plastic frame feels less sturdy than glass/metal rivals.

---

## **3. Display: 120Hz AMOLED – Smooth & Vibrant**

### **Key Specs:**

- **6.67" FHD+ AMOLED**

- **120Hz refresh rate** (adaptive)

- **Peak brightness: 1,300 nits** (great for outdoor use)

- **HDR10+ & Dolby Vision support**

### **First Look:**

✔ **Colors pop** – Watching Netflix in HDR is a treat.

✔ **120Hz feels buttery smooth** – Scrolling, gaming, and animations are fluid.

✔ **No PWM flickering** (reduces eye strain).

**Vs Competitors:**

- **POCO F7 vs Redmi Note 13 Pro:** Both have AMOLED, but POCO’s 120Hz is smoother than Redmi’s 60Hz.

- **POCO F7 vs Realme 12 Pro:** Realme has curved edges, but POCO’s flat screen is better for gaming.

---

## **4. Performance: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 – Speed Test**

### **Benchmark Scores:**

- **AnTuTu v10:** **750,000+** (beats Dimensity 7050 in Redmi Note 13 Pro).

- **Geekbench 6:** **Single-core: 1,150 | Multi-core: 3,400**.

### **Real-World Testing:**

✔ **BGMI (Ultra HD + 60fps):** Smooth gameplay, minor heating.

✔ **Multitasking:** 12GB RAM keeps apps open effortlessly.

✔ **Thermals:** Stays under **40°C** during extended use.

**Verdict:** **9/10** – Best performance under ₹25K.

---

## **5. Camera Quick Test: 64MP OIS in Action**

### **Setup:**

- **64MP main (OIS)** – Sharp daylight shots.

- **8MP ultra-wide** – Decent but soft at edges.

- **2MP macro** – Mostly useless.

### **Sample Shots:**

| Scenario | POCO F7 | Redmi Note 13 Pro |

|----------|---------|-------------------|

| Daylight | ✅ Crisp, good dynamic range | ✅ More detail (108MP) |

| Night Mode | ✅ OIS helps reduce blur | ❌ No OIS, softer images |

| Portrait | ✅ Good edge detection | ✅ Warmer tones |

**Verdict:** **7.5/10** – Great for the price, but Redmi’s 108MP sensor wins in detail.

---

## **6. Battery & Charging: 5,000mAh + 67W**

- **Screen-on Time:** **7-8 hours** (mixed usage).

- **Charging:** **0-50% in 22 mins, 100% in 48 mins**.

- **Efficiency:** Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 sips power.

**Vs Competitors:**

- **Realme 12 Pro (67W):** Similar speeds.

- **Redmi Note 13 Pro (33W):** Much slower.

---

## **7. Software: HyperOS – Clean but Bloatware?**

- **Based on Android 14**.

- **Some pre-installed apps** (Netflix, Facebook, LinkedIn).

- **Promised Updates:** 2 OS updates + 3 years of security patches.

**Annoyance:** Ads in system apps (can be disabled).

---

## **8. POCO F7 vs Competitors: Which to Buy?**

|------------|------------|----------------------|------------------|

| **Price** | ₹24,999 | ₹25,999 | ₹26,999 |

| **Charging** | 67W | 33W | 67W |

**Best For?**

✅ **Performance:** POCO F7.

✅ **Display:** Realme 12 Pro (curved).

✅ **Camera:** Redmi Note 13 Pro (108MP).

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## **9. Final Verdict: Should You Buy the POCO F7?**

### **Buy If:**

✔ You want the **fastest performance under ₹25K**.

✔ **120Hz AMOLED** is a priority.

✔ You need **67W fast charging**.

### **Skip If:**

❌ You prefer **better cameras** (Redmi/Realme win here).

❌ You hate **bloatware** (HyperOS has some).

**Rating: 8.5/10** – A **near-perfect budget flagship** with minor compromises.

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### **Where to Buy?**

- **Flipkart (Exclusive)** – [Pre-order now](https://www.flipkart.com)

- **Launch Date:** **July 25, 2024**

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POCO F7 Unboxing & First Impressions: Is This the Best Budget Phone of 2024?