The Xiaomi Poco M2 and Realme 7 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches. The Poco M2 focuses on affordability, while the Realme 7 Pro prioritizes faster charging and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 7 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage, and the blazing-fast 65W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Poco M2 is cheaper, the performance trade-offs aren't worth it for all but the most budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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, 38, 40, 41 - Asia |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 08 | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 15 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 160.9 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 34 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brick Red, Pitch Black, Slate Blue | Mirror Blue, Mirror Silver |
| Models | MZB9919IN, M2004J19PI | RMX2170 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.73 W/kg (head) 0.52 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,499 | - |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 3,498,000 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 10,799 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 278414(v8)
GeekBench: 1811 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M2
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Decent performance for basic tasks.
- Acceptable battery life for light users.
- Slower processor compared to the Realme 7 Pro.
- Significantly slower charging speed.
- Likely inferior camera performance.
Realme 7 Pro
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset.
- Blazing-fast 65W charging.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Higher price compared to the Poco M2.
- May be overkill for users with very basic needs.
- No expandable storage (assumed based on market trends)
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 585 nits, compared to the Poco M2’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price bracket), the Realme 7 Pro’s higher peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggest a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. Bezels are likely comparable, but the Realme’s display is the clear winner for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Realme 7 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally provides superior image processing. Sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, but the Realme 7 Pro’s chipset suggests more advanced computational photography features. The Poco M2’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the Realme 7 Pro is expected to deliver more detailed and dynamic images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both will have a standard array of lenses, but the Realme 7 Pro will likely have better software optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) is built on a smaller, more efficient process node than the Poco M2’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). This means the Snapdragon 720G delivers better performance per watt, resulting in less heat generation and potentially less throttling during sustained tasks. The Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, also outperform the Helio G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Realme 7 Pro’s 8GB of RAM (vs. 6GB in the Poco M2) further enhances multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Both devices have an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the Poco M2’s unspecified mAh capacity. However, the Realme 7 Pro’s 65W charging is a game-changer. It can charge from 0% to 50% in just 12 minutes and reach 100% in 34 minutes. The Poco M2’s 18W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to fully replenish the battery. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for the Realme 7 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M2 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. It's suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 7 Pro if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and significantly quicker charging – especially if you're a heavy smartphone user or gamer.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G80 in the Poco M2 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G80 can run PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 720G in the Realme 7 Pro offers a significantly better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates, even on higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the Realme 7 Pro compared to the 18W charging on the Poco M2 in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 7 Pro can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 34 minutes, while the Poco M2 will take well over two hours. This means you can quickly top up the Realme 7 Pro during short breaks, whereas the Poco M2 requires overnight charging for a full refill.
❓ Is the 8GB of RAM in the Realme 7 Pro a significant advantage over the 6GB of RAM in the Poco M2?
Yes, 8GB of RAM allows the Realme 7 Pro to handle more apps running in the background simultaneously without slowdowns. This results in a smoother multitasking experience and faster app switching, especially noticeable when using demanding applications.
❓ Given the similar endurance ratings, does the Poco M2 have a larger battery capacity than the Realme 7 Pro?
While both have an endurance rating of 113 hours, the Realme 7 Pro’s faster charging mitigates the need for a larger battery. The Snapdragon 720G’s efficiency also contributes to comparable battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The exact mAh of both devices is unknown, but the Realme 7 Pro’s charging speed is the key advantage.
