POCO F4 GT Review: Photo Quality, Video and Performance

The POCO F4 GT arrived in April 2022 as a gaming phone with flagship silicon, physical shoulder triggers and 120W charging. Announced on 26 April 2022 and released on 28 April 2022, it took the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition hardware and gave it a global POCO badge. Anyone looking for a POCO F4 GT review photo quality and performance guide will find both halves covered here: the camera system and the gaming hardware get equal attention. This POCO F4 GT Review: Photo Quality, Video and Performance looks at the phone as it stands today, using its original specifications and published lab results rather than launch-day hype. The POCO F4 GT release followed the announcement by two days, and the phone went on sale at a price that undercut most flagships with the same chip.

The short version is that the POCO F4 GT is a gaming phone first and a camera phone second. The POCO F4 GT specs sheet lists a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 64MP main camera and a 4700mAh battery. The POCO F4 GT price and value for money case was strong at launch, at about 570 euros, which placed it below most flagships with the same chip. That combination still makes it interesting for buyers who want raw speed and fast charging at a lower cost. Readers who want a newer all-rounder can compare it with the POCO F5 Review: Daily Performance and Key Features before deciding.

Design and Build Quality

The POCO F4 GT design is bold and unashamedly aimed at gamers. The back panel carries a large camera island, angular lines and a small RGB light strip next to the lenses that glows for notifications and charging. POCO F4 GT colors include Stealth Black, Knight Silver and Cyber Yellow, and the yellow version is the most striking of the three. The POCO F4 GT Cyber Yellow color design details include a bright yellow back, dark camera housing and matching accents that make the phone easy to spot in a crowd. Glass covers the front and back, with an aluminium frame in between, and the front glass uses Gorilla Glass Victus. POCO F4 GT Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection covers the display, which helps against scratches from keys and coins in a pocket.

At 162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm and 210 grams, this is a big and heavy phone. The POCO F4 GT weight 210 grams daily carry feel is noticeable in a jacket pocket and during long gaming sessions, but the weight also gives the phone a solid, premium feel in the hand. The frame is flat enough to grip, and the buttons sit where thumbs expect them. The fingerprint sensor sits in the power button on the side, which is fast to reach when the phone is picked up. POCO F4 GT side mounted fingerprint sensor speed is fast and reliable, unlocking the phone with a quick press. There is no headphone jack, so wired listening needs a USB-C adapter or wireless earbuds. The POCO F4 GT no headphone jack USB-C audio setup means wired headphones need an adapter, while Bluetooth 5.2 handles wireless audio well.

Magnetic Shoulder Triggers

The POCO F4 GT magnetic shoulder triggers for gaming are the feature that sets this phone apart from every other POCO model. Two small triggers pop up from the top edge of the frame when a switch is flipped, giving the phone real shoulder buttons like a game controller. The POCO F4 GT triggers pop up with a satisfying mechanical click, and they stay firmly in place once raised. In supported games they can be mapped to on-screen actions such as shooting, aiming or jumping, which frees the thumbs for movement and camera control. This is a genuine hardware advantage over touch-only controls, and it is the main reason to choose the GT over the standard POCO F4. As a POCO F4 GT gaming phone with shoulder triggers, it stands apart from rivals that rely on software overlays or clip-on accessories. The triggers fold away when not needed, so the phone still looks and feels normal for everyday use.

AMOLED Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate

The POCO F4 GT display measures 6.67 inches and uses an AMOLED panel with one billion colours, HDR10+ support and a 120Hz refresh rate. The POCO F4 GT AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate feels fluid when scrolling through feeds and menus, and games that support high frame rates look smooth and responsive. Peak brightness reaches 800 nits in high brightness mode, which keeps the screen readable outdoors in sunlight. The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel has a 1080 x 2400 resolution, giving about 395 pixels per inch, which is sharp enough that text looks crisp at normal viewing distances. Colours are vivid without looking unnatural, and the always-on display option shows the time and notifications without waking the full screen. The display is flat rather than curved, which suits gaming because accidental touches at the edges are rare. Touch sampling is fast enough that taps and swipes register without delay, and that matters as much as the refresh rate when playing competitive games.

Photo Quality

The POCO F4 GT camera system uses a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera, with a 20MP camera on the front. POCO F4 GT photos in daylight are the strongest part of the camera package, with plenty of detail and colours that lean slightly vivid rather than flat. The main sensor uses pixel binning to produce 16MP images by default, which keeps noise low and files a sensible size. A colour spectrum sensor sits next to the lenses and helps the phone judge white balance more accurately under mixed lighting. The camera app is the familiar MIUI camera with modes for photo, portrait, night, panorama and pro controls, and it opens quickly from the lock screen. POCO F4 GT camera quality in low light is decent but not class-leading, and the phone relies on night mode to brighten dark scenes.

Daylight Photos from the 64MP Main Camera

In good light the main camera delivers sharp, detailed images with reliable autofocus. POCO F4 GT 64MP main camera samples daylight scenes with sharp detail and natural colours, and the 64MP full-resolution mode captures extra detail for cropping when the light is strong. Dynamic range is good for a phone in this class, holding detail in bright skies while keeping shadows readable. The camera tends to boost greens and blues slightly, which makes landscapes look lively, though skin tones stay natural enough for portraits. The portrait mode separates the subject from the background cleanly in most cases, with edge detection that holds up around hair and glasses. Shooting is quick, with little shutter lag between taps, so the phone is easy to use for street photography and family snapshots. For a gaming phone, the daylight results are better than many buyers expect.

Low-Light Photos and Night Mode

When the light drops, the main camera still produces usable images, especially with night mode switched on. POCO F4 GT camera quality in low light is decent but not class-leading, and night mode takes a couple of seconds to gather extra light and reduce noise. Results show brighter shadows and cleaner skies than the standard auto mode, though fine detail softens and bright lights can bloom. The phone handles indoor scenes with warm artificial light reasonably well, keeping white balance close to neutral. Moving subjects in dim light can blur because the shutter stays open longer, so still subjects work best after dark. Compared with camera-first flagships from the same year, the F4 GT loses some detail and texture at night, but for social media sharing the results are more than good enough. A POCO F4 GT vs POCO F4 camera comparison shows the GT’s 64MP main sensor and colour spectrum sensor giving it a small edge in daylight, while both phones share the same limits after dark. Readers weighing the two models can read the POCO F4 Review: Design, Battery Life and Usability for the standard model’s strengths.

Ultrawide and Macro Cameras

The POCO F4 GT ultrawide camera is an 8MP sensor with a 120-degree field of view, which is useful for landscapes, buildings and tight indoor spaces. POCO F4 GT ultrawide camera quality at night drops noticeably, with softer detail and more noise than the main camera, so it is best used in daylight. Colours from the ultrawide camera are close to the main camera, which keeps mixed sets of photos looking consistent. The POCO F4 GT macro camera is a 2MP unit that focuses at very close range. POCO F4 GT macro camera close up photos are usable in bright light for flowers, textures and small objects, but the low resolution limits cropping and the fixed focus needs a steady hand. The macro camera is a bonus rather than a headline feature, and most owners will use the main and ultrawide cameras far more often.

Video Recording

POCO F4 GT video recording reaches 4K at 30 and 60 frames per second from the main camera, with 1080p recording up to 120 frames per second and slow motion at 720p and 960 frames per second. The main camera records with electronic stabilisation, which smooths out walking shots and handheld clips. Audio is captured in stereo from the phone’s microphones, and the four-speaker setup makes playback loud and clear. The selfie camera records 1080p video at 30 and 60 frames per second, which covers video calls and vlogging. Published POCO F4 GT 4K video recording quality test footage shows clean detail, accurate colours and stable exposure in daylight, with some noise appearing in darker scenes. The phone is a capable video tool for casual creators, even though it lacks the advanced stabilisation modes of camera-first flagships.

4K Video Recording Quality

In daylight, 4K footage from the main camera looks sharp, with good colour and steady exposure as the scene changes. The POCO F4 GT 4K video recording quality test results show that 60fps mode keeps motion smooth for action clips and panning shots, while 30fps mode suits static scenes and saves storage space. Autofocus during video is quick and rarely hunts, which matters when tracking a moving subject. At night, video gets noisier and detail softens, and the phone sometimes struggles to hold focus in very dark scenes. The ultrawide camera records video too, but at lower quality than the main camera, so it is best for daylight clips where the wide view matters more than fine detail. HDR video helps when filming scenes with bright skies and dark foregrounds, keeping both readable in the same frame. For short clips shared online, the video quality is strong for the price.

Slow Motion and Selfie Video

The POCO F4 GT slow motion video 960fps test mode captures dramatic clips at 720p, slowing fast action down enough to see details the eye misses. Slow motion works best in bright light, because the high frame rate needs plenty of light to avoid noise. The POCO F4 GT selfie camera is a 20MP unit with an f/2.4 lens. POCO F4 GT selfie camera video calls quality is good enough for daily calls, with clear detail and natural skin tones in good light. The POCO F4 GT 20MP front camera portrait mode adds background blur to selfies, which works well for headshots when the light is even. Front video at 1080p and 60fps looks smooth, and the phone handles backlit scenes better than many rivals in this price range.

Performance and Gaming

POCO F4 GT performance is built around the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a 4nm flagship chipset with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 730 graphics. The POCO F4 GT Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 gaming performance is the headline feature, and the chip handles demanding games at high settings without stutter. POCO F4 GT gaming is where the phone earns its keep: popular titles run smoothly, loading times are short, and the shoulder triggers add real control. The phone pairs the chip with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. A POCO F4 GT UFS 3.1 storage speed test shows fast app installs and quick game loading, and this POCO F4 GT storage cannot be expanded with a memory card, so buyers should choose the larger size if they keep many games installed. The POCO F4 GT AnTuTu result was 952,124 points in GSMArena lab tests, which was a flagship-level score when the phone launched.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in Daily Use

Outside games, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 keeps everyday use fast and responsive. Apps open quickly, switching between apps is smooth, and heavy tasks such as video editing and photo processing finish without long waits. POCO F4 GT performance in everyday apps is fast, and the 120Hz display makes the speed easy to feel. The phone supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. POCO F4 GT WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity covers modern wireless needs, from fast home networks to wireless earbuds and controllers. POCO F4 GT NFC is present for contactless payments and quick pairing. The vapour chamber cooling system helps the chip hold its speed during long sessions, though the phone does warm up under sustained load. For buyers comparing newer POCO models, the later POCO F6 generation improved efficiency further.

Heat and Sustained Gaming

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a powerful chip, but it is also known for running hot under sustained load. POCO F4 GT overheating during long gaming sessions is the main complaint owners report, with the phone warming up noticeably after twenty to thirty minutes of demanding play. The vapour chamber and the large frame spread the heat, yet frame rates can dip in long sessions as the chip throttles to control temperature. Short bursts of play feel flawless, and the triggers make competitive games easier to control. Gamers who play for hours should expect the back of the phone to get warm and should take short breaks or lower the graphics settings for the longest sessions. This is a known trait of the chip rather than a fault in this phone alone, and it is the main trade-off against the raw speed on offer.

Battery Life and 120W Charging

The POCO F4 GT battery is a 4700mAh unit, which is smaller than the 5000mAh cells in many rivals, but the phone still lasts a full day for most users. POCO F4 GT battery life with 120Hz display enabled lasts a full day of mixed use, including messaging, browsing, streaming and an hour or two of gaming. GSMArena lab tests gave the phone an endurance rating of 81 hours. The POCO F4 GT 4700mAh battery endurance rating 81 hours figure comes from GSMArena lab tests, and it reflects light-to-moderate use rather than heavy gaming. Heavy gaming drains the battery much faster, as it does on every gaming phone, and the 120Hz display and bright AMOLED panel add to the drain when used at full brightness. Power saving modes and a 60Hz refresh rate option stretch the battery further when a charger is far away.

POCO F4 GT charging is the fastest in its class and the feature owners notice most in daily life. The phone supports 120W wired charging with the charger included in the box, filling the battery from empty to full in about 17 minutes. The POCO F4 GT 120W charging time from empty to full is about 17 minutes, and a quick five-minute top-up adds enough charge for hours of use. That speed changes how the phone is used: instead of charging overnight, owners can plug in while getting ready in the morning. 17 minutes to a full charge is still remarkable years after launch, and it removes most battery anxiety. The charger supports Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3, and the phone splits the battery into two cells to handle the high wattage safely. There is no wireless charging, which is the main omission, and the charging speed alone makes the F4 GT stand out against the POCO F3 Review: Screen Quality, Cameras and Charging, whose charging was far slower.

Software, Audio and Everyday Use

POCO F4 GT software launched with Android 12 and MIUI 13, and the phone has since received updates up to Android 14 with HyperOS 2. The POCO F4 GT Android 12 update to HyperOS 2 path took the phone from MIUI 13 through MIUI 14 and on to HyperOS, bringing a cleaner interface and newer features. POCO F4 GT features include an infrared port, which is rare on modern phones. The POCO F4 GT infrared port remote control feature turns the phone into a TV remote, which is handy in the living room. The software includes a Game Turbo mode that blocks notifications during play, maps the shoulder triggers and shows performance stats on screen. Some pre-installed apps can be removed, and the interface is customisable with themes and an always-on display. Updates have slowed as the phone ages, which buyers of a used unit should keep in mind.

The POCO F4 GT speakers are a four-unit stereo setup tuned by JBL, with two speakers at the top and two at the bottom. The POCO F4 GT stereo speakers tuned by JBL are loud and clear, with good separation for music and dialogue. Four-speaker stereo setup aside, the sound has more body than the single-speaker phones in this price range, and games benefit from the wide soundstage. Hi-Res audio support covers wired listening through USB-C and wireless listening through supported codecs. The side fingerprint sensor, face unlock and the infrared port all work reliably, and the phone feels complete for daily use. Buyers who want newer software and a calmer design can look at the POCO F5 Pro Review: Design, Software and Camera Quality as an alternative.

Full Specifications

The table below lists the complete POCO F4 GT specifications from GSMArena, covering the network, body, display, platform, memory, cameras, sound, connectivity, sensors and battery. The POCO F4 GT specifications full review and verdict later in this article draws on these numbers, so readers can check any detail here first.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 speed for gaming and everyday use
• Physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers that no rival offers at this price
• 120W charging that fills the battery in about 17 minutes
• Bright 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+
• Good daylight photos from the 64MP main camera and clean 4K video
• Loud four-speaker stereo sound tuned by JBL and an infrared port

Cons

• Heats up during long gaming sessions and can throttle
• 4700mAh battery is smaller than many rivals and drains fast in games
• No wireless charging and no headphone jack
• Ultrawide and macro cameras are weak in low light
• No memory card slot, so storage cannot be expanded
• Software updates have slowed as the phone ages

FAQ

When was the POCO F4 GT released?

The POCO F4 GT was announced on 26 April 2022 and released on 28 April 2022. It launched with Android 12 and MIUI 13, and it has since been updated to Android 14 with HyperOS 2.

Does the POCO F4 GT have magnetic gaming triggers?

Yes. The phone has two physical magnetic pop-up gaming triggers on the top edge of the frame. They flip up with a switch and can be mapped to on-screen controls in games, then fold away for normal use.

How fast is the POCO F4 GT 120W charging?

The phone charges from empty to full in about 17 minutes with the included 120W charger. A short five-minute charge adds enough power for hours of normal use, and the charger supports Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3.

Is the POCO F4 GT camera good for photos and video?

The 64MP main camera takes sharp daylight photos and records 4K video at up to 60fps, which suits most owners. Low-light photos are decent with night mode, but the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro cameras are weaker after dark.

Does the POCO F4 GT overheat while gaming?

The phone warms up during long sessions of demanding games because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs hot under sustained load. Short sessions feel smooth, and lowering graphics settings or taking breaks keeps temperatures and frame rates steadier.

Verdict

The POCO F4 GT remains a distinctive gaming phone years after its April 2022 release. Its magnetic triggers, 120W charging and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 speed give it a character that later POCO models did not repeat, and the 64MP camera and 4K video cover everyday photography well enough. The trade-offs are real: heat during long gaming sessions, a 4700mAh battery that drains fast in games, and cameras that fall behind camera-first rivals after dark. For buyers who play games on their phone and want fast charging above all else, it is still a strong used buy at the right price. This POCO F4 GT Review: Photo Quality, Video and Performance ends with a simple test: if the triggers and the 17-minute charge matter to you more than the latest software, this phone earns its place.

Buyers who want a newer phone with better efficiency and longer support should compare the latest POCO models instead. The POCO F6 Review: Build Quality, Software and Daily Speed covers a newer option with a calmer design and faster daily performance. For everyone else, the F4 GT stands as the most gaming-focused POCO ever made, and its combination of triggers, speed and charging has not been matched since.