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Poco’s Latest Smartphones: A Closer Look at the F7 Series and X7 Pro

The recently launched F7 series from Poco departs from tradition by omitting a standard model, offering only Pro and Ultra variants. In discussions about value for money—the cornerstone of Poco’s appeal—it appears that the Poco X7 Pro is regarded by some as a more compelling option than the F7 Pro.

Currently, the Poco X7 Pro is priced starting at €320, with an opportunity to enhance the device by adding 4GB of RAM for an additional €20, and increasing storage capacity at the same rate. While it may not feature a flagship-grade chipset, the Dimensity 8400 Ultra stands out due to its configuration of eight Cortex-A725 cores. Furthermore, the device boasts a premium display with a resolution of 1220p+, supporting 12-bit colors, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.

Although the X7 Pro utilizes a plastic frame—a downgrade from the F7 Pro—it compensates with a superior IP rating of IP69. The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 20MP selfie camera, which, while not groundbreaking, is competitive with the offerings of the F-series. Additionally, both models house a robust 6,000mAh battery capable of 90W wired charging.

When weighing options, it’s prudent to evaluate the previous generation, the Poco F6. Equipped with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the F6 may not match the speed of the X7 Pro, yet it remains a competent choice. It shares the same display and camera technology but has a smaller 5,000mAh battery (still supporting 90W charging) and a more modest IP64 water resistance rating. Given the minimal price difference of €20, the X7 Pro seems to be the better investment.

For those who might consider a more budget-friendly option, the standard Poco X7 is available at approximately €70 less than the Pro variant. However, it features the Dimensity 7300 Ultra, significantly reducing its performance capabilities due to its reliance on UFS 2.2 storage, as opposed to the Pro’s UFS 4.0. Furthermore, the battery is slightly smaller at 5,110mAh and offers 45W charging. The display and camera specifications are comparable, yet the reduced processing power makes the Pro a more attractive choice.

Apple’s iPad Air Offerings: M2 vs. M3 Performance

Shifting focus to Apple, last year marked the release of new iPad Air tablets equipped with the M2 chip, which have recently been updated to M3-based models this year. However, the iPadOS platform seems not to fully harness the additional performance capabilities of the M3, contrasting with the efficiencies observed in macOS. Consequently, users may not discern significant differences between these two generations.

The iPad Air 13 (2024) presents pricing that is €125 to €230 less than that of its 2025 counterpart, dependent on the storage configuration chosen. Thus, for some, prioritizing storage over raw performance may be a sensible approach.

Similarly, the smaller iPad Air 11 (2024) is priced between €120 and €160 less than the latest model.

Xiaomi’s Android Tablet Alternatives

For enthusiasts of Android tablets, the Xiaomi Pad 7 and Pad 7 Pro are currently available at a discount of €70. Both tablets feature 11.2-inch IPS LCD displays with a 144Hz refresh rate, 12-bit color support, Dolby Vision capabilities, stylus compatibility, quad speakers, and substantial 8,850mAh batteries. The primary distinction lies in their chipsets—the vanilla model is powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, while the Pro variant boasts the more robust Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.

The Pad 7 Pro also excels in camera quality, featuring a 50MP rear camera versus a 13MP sensor on the standard model and a 32MP front camera compared to an 8MP lens. Additionally, the Pro variant supports faster charging at 67W, in contrast to the 45W on the base model, though it comes at an added cost of €50. In terms of performance metrics, however, the Pro’s advantages may not be as substantial as its higher specifications suggest.

The Versatile Amazon Fire Max 11

Lastly, the Amazon Fire Max 11 is a practical solution for those in search of a versatile tablet suitable for streaming, work, and light gaming. With a quality 11-inch IPS LCD display (resolution of 2,000 x 1,200 pixels, 60Hz) and stereo speakers, it offers a solid user experience. Users can also expand storage for local media as an alternative to streaming. However, it’s worth noting that this version includes ads, which can be removed for an additional €15.

Source
www.gsmarena.com