Another contender has emerged in the high-end smartphone market. And it’s by an unexpected player — Poco, the Xiaomi sub-brand known for its value-oriented smartphones.
Poco held the global launch of its flagship Poco F7 Ultra and Poco F7 Pro smartphones in Singapore yesterday.
The F7 Ultra marks a significant leap for the brand, offering top-tier specifications at competitive price points. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, Qualcomm’s most advanced chipset that is also at the heart of premium offerings by the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, and Oppo.
The new Poco offering boasts an impressive AnTuTu score of 2,843,461 for lightning-fast performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
While slightly less powerful, the F7 Pro still impresses with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset that matches the performance of many current flagship devices.
Both phones run on Xiaomi’s new HyperOS 2, which aims to optimise system fluidity and cross-platform connectivity.
As for cameras, the F7 Ultra stands out with its triple-lens setup, including a 50MP main camera, a 32MP ultra-wide and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom. This array puts it on par with more expensive flagships in terms of photography capabilities.
Battery life is another area where Poco aims to outshine the competition. The F7 Pro features a massive 6,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, while the F7 Ultra comes with a 5,300mAh cell. Both devices support rapid charging, with the Ultra capable of 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Staying true to its roots, Poco scores on pricing. The F7 Ultra is priced from US$649 for the 12GB/256GB model, significantly cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S25 series and OnePlus 13.
However, price isn’t everything. Software optimisation and long-term support are areas where established brands such as Samsung still have an edge.
Availability
Both smartphones are now available — the Poco F7 Ultra in yellow and black with 12GB+256GB and 16GB+512GB variants, and the Poco F7 Pro in black, silver and blue with 12GB+256GB and 12GB+512GB options.
Consumers can enjoy early bird prices as well as exclusive gifts until April 9, 2025. They also get an additional S$40 off for purchases on mi.com, Lazada and Shopee.
Entelechy Asia 