The Infinix Zero X and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The Poco X3 Pro prioritizes raw processing power with the Snapdragon 860, while the Infinix Zero X focuses on a balance of performance and fast charging with the Helio G95. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, particularly in gaming, and its endurance rating matches the Infinix. While the Zero X boasts faster charging, the Poco X3 Pro’s overall power and value are more compelling.
| 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, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 13 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 17 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.7 x 7.8 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.31 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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak) | 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 | 16 MP, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, 5x optical zoom, OIS
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 40% in 15 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Black, Starry Silver | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 320 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
- Faster initial charging speed (40% in 15 mins)
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Helio G95 offers decent everyday performance
- Inferior chipset compared to Snapdragon 860
- Less efficient 12nm process node
- Limited display information available
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Better thermal management for sustained performance
- 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- Slower initial charging speed compared to Infinix Zero X
- May be slightly more expensive
- Charging takes almost an hour for a full charge
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 panel type are missing for the Infinix Zero X. The Poco X3 Pro’s display, while not exceptional, is known for its 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and gaming. Without comparable data for the Zero X, it’s difficult to assess its display quality beyond the shared contrast ratio. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means they won't dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. The absence of this information makes a direct comparison challenging. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely the Poco X3 Pro benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally provides superior image quality and video stabilization. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility. Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Poco X3 Pro likely holds an advantage due to its chipset’s ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant step up from the Infinix Zero X’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, clocked up to 2.96 GHz, deliver substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm process node also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Zero X’s Cortex-A76 cores offer respectable performance, they simply can’t match the Snapdragon 860’s raw power. The Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner for demanding applications and gaming.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The Infinix Zero X supports 45W wired charging, claiming a 40% charge in 15 minutes. The Poco X3 Pro, with 33W charging, takes 30 minutes for 59% and 59 minutes for a full charge. While the Zero X charges faster initially, the Poco X3 Pro’s overall charging time isn’t drastically slower. The comparable endurance ratings suggest that the more efficient Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro offsets the slightly slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Zero X if you prioritize extremely fast charging and frequently top up your phone throughout the day. Its 45W charging is a clear advantage. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you’re a gamer or power user who demands consistent performance, longer gaming sessions, and a more robust chipset capable of handling demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 860 offers a noticeable edge in sustained performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its relatively efficient thermal performance. While some throttling is possible during extremely demanding games, the 7nm process node and Qualcomm’s thermal management features help mitigate overheating, providing a more consistent gaming experience compared to the 12nm Helio G95 in the Infinix Zero X.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Infinix Zero X significantly faster in real-world use than the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging?
While the Infinix Zero X charges faster initially (40% in 15 minutes), the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging isn’t drastically slower. A full charge takes 59 minutes, which is only moderately longer than the time it would take to reach a similar charge level on the Zero X. The difference in charging speed is noticeable, but not a game-changer.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming, like 90fps or 120fps in popular titles?
The Poco X3 Pro’s 120Hz display and powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset allow for high refresh rate gaming in many popular titles, such as PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. However, achieving consistently high frame rates depends on the game’s settings and optimization. Expect to be able to push frame rates higher than the Infinix Zero X.
