The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Lenovo A7 and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro represent compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The A7 aims for affordability, while the Poco M4 Pro attempts to balance price with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is the superior choice. Its Helio G96 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the A7’s Unisoc SC9863A, and the 33W charging is a substantial advantage. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Poco M4 Pro’s overall experience is smoother and more responsive.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April 13. Released 2019, April 13 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 155 x 75 x 12 mm (6.10 x 2.95 x 0.47 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 179.5 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Power Black, Cool Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | L19111 | MZB0B5VIN, 2201117PI, 2201117PG |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 100.18 |
| SAR | - | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318444 (v9)
GeekBench: 1836 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo A7
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Long battery endurance (similar to Poco)
- Weak processor performance
- Low display brightness
- Slow charging (likely)
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
- Significantly faster processor
- Brighter, more usable display
- 33W fast charging
- Slightly higher price
- May still exhibit some bloatware
- Camera performance is average for the price
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 737 nits, compared to the Lenovo A7’s unspecified brightness. This makes the Poco M4 Pro far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for IPS LCDs), the higher brightness of the Poco M4 Pro is a clear advantage. The A7’s display specifications are minimal, suggesting a lower-quality panel overall. Bezels are likely wider on the A7, further diminishing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price points, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. However, the Poco M4 Pro likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G96, offering potentially better noise reduction and dynamic range. The A7’s Unisoc chipset has a less sophisticated ISP. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Poco M4 Pro’s chipset gives it an edge. We can assume both will include a basic macro lens, but these are often of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M4 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo A7’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The G96 features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, providing a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming compared to the A7’s four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. The 12nm process node of the G96 is also more efficient, potentially leading to better thermal management. The A7’s older, larger-node chipset will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Lenovo A7 and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco M4 Pro’s 33W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC3 support is a game-changer. It can reach 100% charge in just 58 minutes, while the A7’s charging speed is unknown and likely significantly slower. This faster charging capability provides a much more convenient user experience, especially for those who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo A7 if you prioritize absolute minimum cost and basic functionality for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or as a secondary device. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro if you want a more capable device for gaming, streaming, and photography, and value faster charging and a brighter display. It’s ideal for users who demand more from their smartphone without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G96 in the Poco M4 Pro capable of running demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G96 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can run PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but it's a playable experience. The Lenovo A7's Unisoc SC9863A would struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ How does the thermal performance of the Poco M4 Pro hold up during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G96 can generate heat under sustained load. The Poco M4 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions, but some throttling is possible during prolonged gaming. However, the 12nm process node is more efficient than the A7’s 28nm, meaning the Poco M4 Pro will likely maintain higher sustained performance than the A7 before throttling becomes a major issue.
❓ Does the Poco M4 Pro have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired headphones or speakers. The Lenovo A7 also likely includes a headphone jack, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.
❓ What type of storage does the Poco M4 Pro use, and is it expandable?
The Poco M4 Pro utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage commonly found in devices at this price point. This contributes to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. It also supports expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing you to increase the available storage capacity.
