Poco X3 Pro vs Coolpad Cool 20: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Coolpad Cool 20 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget and mid-range smartphone market. The Cool 20 aims for affordability, while the Poco X3 Pro prioritizes gaming performance. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 860 chipset. However, the Coolpad Cool 20 offers a compelling value proposition for everyday tasks and users on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Coolpad Cool 20 Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India
Launch
Announced2021, May 26. Released 2021, June 012021, March 22
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back
Dimensions164.3 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199.6 g (7.05 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP3Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, CoolOS 2Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8 (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single5 MP20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single5 MP20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, WhitePhantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze
Models-M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI
PriceAbout 90 EUR$ 128.04 / £ 249.99
SAR-0.99 W/kg (head)     0.67 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.57 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 112h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 453223 (v8) GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Coolpad Cool 20

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially better battery endurance for light use
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks

  • Significantly weaker performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro
  • Limited gaming capabilities
  • Missing detailed display and camera specifications

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor for gaming and multitasking
  • Faster 33W charging
  • 120Hz display for smoother visuals

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 7nm process)
  • May not offer significantly better battery life than Cool 20 for light users

Display Comparison

Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for the Coolpad Cool 20. The Poco X3 Pro, while lacking advanced features like LTPO, benefits from a 120Hz refresh rate (not specified for the Cool 20), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. This is a significant advantage for gaming and fast-paced content consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with better low-light performance and image stabilization. The Cool 20 likely focuses on providing acceptable image quality for casual use, but won't compete with the Poco X3 Pro in challenging conditions. We can assume the Poco X3 Pro will have more advanced features like 4K video recording.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Coolpad Cool 20’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, clocked up to 2.96 GHz, deliver significantly higher CPU and GPU performance. The G80’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz are adequate for daily tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and multitasking. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Poco X3 Pro is built for sustained performance, while the Cool 20 is geared towards efficiency.

Battery Life

Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging (59% in 30 minutes, 100% in 59 minutes) is a significant advantage over the Coolpad Cool 20, which lacks detailed charging specifications. Faster charging minimizes downtime and allows for quicker top-ups, crucial for power users and gamers. While the mAh capacity isn't specified for either, the Snapdragon 860's efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the Poco X3 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the Coolpad Cool 20 if you need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and value affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you're a mobile gamer, frequently multitask, or demand a smoother, more responsive experience with demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, it's known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the 7nm manufacturing process and the Poco X3 Pro's cooling system (details not provided in the context data, but common in gaming phones) help mitigate throttling. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it shouldn't be severe.
❓ Is the Coolpad Cool 20 suitable for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Coolpad Cool 20's Helio G80 chipset is not ideal for playing graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings. You may be able to play at lower settings with reduced frame rates, but the experience won't be optimal. It's better suited for less demanding games.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming?
Yes, the Poco X3 Pro's 120Hz display can be leveraged in compatible games to provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience. However, not all games support high refresh rates, and enabling it may impact battery life.
❓ What type of storage does the Coolpad Cool 20 use, and is it expandable?
The context data does not specify the storage type or expandability of the Coolpad Cool 20. However, given its budget positioning, it likely uses eMMC storage, which is slower than UFS. Expandability via microSD card is probable, but not confirmed.