Poco X3 Pro vs Cubot X30: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides significantly faster performance, crucial for gaming and demanding applications, while the 33W charging offers a substantial convenience advantage. The Cubot X30 remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot X30 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| - | IP53, dust and splash resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Penta | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lenses | - |
| 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 |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Gradient Green | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | - | $ 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) |
Cubot X30
- Significantly lower price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance (112h)
- Outdated Helio P60 chipset
- Poor gaming performance
- Likely inferior camera quality
- Slower charging (assumed)
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Fast 33W charging
- Smooth 120Hz display
- Superior gaming performance
- Higher price compared to Cubot X30
- May experience some throttling under heavy load
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like brightness (nits) and panel type are missing for the Cubot X30. The Poco X3 Pro's display, while not featuring advanced technologies like LTPO, benefits from a 120Hz refresh rate, absent in the Cubot X30, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. This difference is particularly noticeable during gaming and video playback.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are lacking for the Cubot X30. The Poco X3 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 860. While sensor size and aperture details are missing, the Snapdragon’s ISP generally provides better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The absence of specific camera details for the Cubot X30 suggests a more basic camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot X30’s Mediatek Helio P60 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, deliver significantly higher CPU and GPU performance. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio P60, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with demanding games and multitasking. The Poco X3 Pro’s superior GPU will translate to higher frame rates and better graphics settings in games.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes. The Cubot X30’s charging speed is unknown, but likely considerably slower. This faster charging capability minimizes downtime and provides greater convenience for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X30 if you prioritize absolute affordability and basic smartphone functionality, primarily for calls, texts, and light social media use. You'll need to accept compromises in performance and camera quality. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you value smooth gaming, faster app loading times, and quicker charging, even if it means spending a bit more. It's the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.