The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, with its older but potent Snapdragon 860, has long been a performance king. However, the Infinix Zero X Neo attempts to challenge that reign with a more modern, though less powerful, MediaTek Helio G95. This comparison dissects the strengths and weaknesses of each device to determine which offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 provides a significant performance advantage over the Helio G95 in the Zero X Neo. However, the Zero X Neo offers a more balanced package with potentially better efficiency, though it doesn't match the X3 Pro's speed.
| 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, 20, 28, 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 13 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.4 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 | - | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 |
| Single | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 18W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black, Starry Silver, Bahamas Blue | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 210 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) |
Infinix Zero X Neo
- Potentially better power efficiency with Helio G95
- More modern chipset architecture
- Sleek design (assumed based on brand aesthetic)
- Significantly lower processing power compared to Snapdragon 860
- Slower 18W charging
- Missing detailed display specifications
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset for excellent gaming
- Fast 33W charging
- 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- Older chipset architecture
- Potentially higher power consumption
- Larger size and weight (typical for Poco phones)
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 Zero X Neo. The X3 Pro’s display, while not exceptional, is known for its 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother experience for scrolling and gaming. Without comparable data for the Zero X Neo, it’s difficult to assess its display quality beyond basic contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison impossible. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely the Poco X3 Pro has a more capable main sensor. The Zero X Neo may focus on software enhancements to compensate for potentially less impressive hardware. Without further data, assessing camera performance relies heavily on real-world testing and user reviews.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant step up from the Infinix Zero X Neo’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860 features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold core, alongside three additional Gold cores and four Silver cores, offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The Helio G95’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, while competent, simply can’t match the Snapdragon’s processing power. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
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 min, 100% in 59 min) is significantly faster than the Zero X Neo’s 18W charging. This faster charging speed is a considerable advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. While the Zero X Neo might offer similar overall endurance, the X3 Pro’s charging speed provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Zero X Neo if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for casual gaming and media consumption, and value a potentially more efficient chipset. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance above all else, frequently play demanding titles, and are willing to trade some battery efficiency for that extra power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the Poco X3 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions like a copper heat pipe to mitigate throttling. While some performance degradation is possible during very long gaming sessions, it generally remains playable.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Infinix Zero X Neo slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 18W charging is relatively slow compared to the 33W charging on the Poco X3 Pro and other recent smartphones. Expect a longer charging time to reach 100%, potentially taking over two hours depending on battery level.
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Zero X Neo handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G95 can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It won't deliver the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro.
❓ What kind of storage and RAM options are available on each device?
Specific storage and RAM configurations are not provided in the context data. However, the Poco X3 Pro is commonly available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The Zero X Neo likely offers similar options, but confirmation requires further research.
