Would a more expensive ‘Ultra’ model even make sense?
We can categorically answer that question now that the Poco F7 Ultra is here.
Not everything in the package is quite so competitive with the top tier.
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Given the elevated circles the Poco brand is now moving in, its design feels somewhat brash and heavy.
Nor is there any disputing the effect that the Poco X7 Ultra’s 5,300mAh battery has on stamina.
This is a phone that will last two days of moderate usage without issue.
The camera set-up is unlikely to scare any of the flagship brigade.
However, the overall image quality is still competing with the mid-range crowd solid, rather than downright impressive.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS software continues to be filed in the negative column.
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It’s fluid and stable enough, but it’s also overstuffed with pointless apps and heavy-handed services.
This continues to be a weak point for even thebest Xiaomi phones.
There’s also a step-up model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which costs 699.
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The OnePlus 13R is also comparable in terms of price and positioning, though it uses a previous-generation processor.
Both of those rivals lack the Poco F7 Ultra’s wireless charging, too.
Another phone that can be considered a rival is theSamsungGalaxy S24 FE.
It’s got a similar flat black rim, albeit slightly less rounded at the edges.
It’s obviously much bigger, with a 160.26 x 74.95 x 8.39mm footprint and slightly-too-heavy weight of 212g.
Here, it’s a single raised circle containing the three cameras, and offset to one side.
The black surround again pops nicely against that mellow yellow tone.
It’s as dust and water-resistant as any iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S equipment you care to mention.
Not that there’s much in the way of advancement over thePoco F6 Pro’sscreen.
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The stated 3200-nit peak brightness here is actually lower than that of the 4000-nit Poco F6 Pro.
This applies to a limited portion of the screen duringHDRplayback scenarios, however.
It’s nicely sized, pin-sharp, and well calibrated.
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It’s with these secondary cameras that the Ultra bump can be felt.
However, this main camera didn’t stand out from a 2024-era 500 smartphone crowd.
Again, these are decent mid-range results rather than flagship results, but still.
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There’s also a 32MP camera around front, which does a reasonable job with selfies.
It does quite well with selfie portraits, too, with the subject popping against a nicely blurred background.
Those are phones that sell for literally double the price.
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That latter phone goes all out on gaming performance, of course, with a price to match.
Of course, benchmark tests don’t tell anything like the full story.
What matters far more is practical performance, and on that front, I have no complaints whatsoever.
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That’s the same amount as the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
On the storage front, you have the choice of either 256GB or 512GB.
The phone is certainly not under-equipped, though a 128GB entry model for 599 would have been compelling.
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With the same sort of horsepower underpinning it, the UI moves along at a similarly rapid clip.
It’s a well-optimised interface from a purely technical perspective.
However, this remains a busy, overstuffed UI.
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Part of the problem here is bloatware.
It’s a niche provision, but one that I’ve always appreciated.
The latter could be seen as a unique selling point, but it too suffers from profound bloat.
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Cut through the clutter, and HyperOS is a perfectly functional Android-based UI.
But even then, you’ll have Xiaomi’s slightly clumsy icons and menus to contend with.
Xiaomi is offering four OS upgrades and six years of security patches for the Poco F7 Ultra.
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Xiaomi has hopped on board the artificial intelligence hype train, with a selection of AI-boosted apps and services.
Those things aren’t unique to the Poco F7 Ultra, of course.
The result is blissfully dependable stamina.
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When it comes time to recharge, the Poco X7 Ultra supports Xiaomi’s speedy 120W HyperCharge standard.
Indeed, it’s better than most full-on flagship phones.
A full charge took just over 30 minutes, which is incredibly brisk.
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Should I buy the Poco F7 Ultra?
We are, however, yet to review the Nubia Z70 Ultra.
It’s also more refined, both in terms of its hardware and software.
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