The Lenovo K12 Pro and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. The K12 Pro prioritizes efficiency with a Snapdragon 662, while the Poco X3 Pro swings for the fences with the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage over the K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662. While the K12 Pro offers a more efficient processor, the Poco X3 Pro’s faster charging and overall power make it the better choice for power users.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 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 | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.1 x 76.8 x 9.7 mm (6.78 x 3.02 x 0.38 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.1% 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 Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | 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/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Violet, Metallic Sage | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | XT2091-8, XT2091-7 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 130 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) |
Lenovo K12 Pro
- More efficient processor (Snapdragon 662)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially lower price point
- Significantly weaker performance compared to Poco X3 Pro
- Slower charging speed (20W)
- Missing detailed display specifications
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Much faster processor (Snapdragon 860)
- Faster charging speed (33W)
- Better suited for gaming and demanding tasks
- Potentially lower battery efficiency
- No reverse wired charging
- May run warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, panel type (IPS vs AMOLED), and refresh rate are missing for the K12 Pro. The Poco X3 Pro’s display, while not specified beyond the contrast ratio, benefits from the chipset’s ability to drive higher refresh rates, potentially offering a smoother visual experience. Without further data on the K12 Pro’s panel, the Poco X3 Pro likely has the edge in overall display quality due to its more powerful processor.
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 impossible. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s focus on overall performance, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from a more capable image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 860, potentially leading to better image quality and faster processing times. The K12 Pro’s camera is likely adequate for casual use, but the Poco X3 Pro is expected to offer a more refined photographic experience.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Lenovo K12 Pro’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 860 features a Kryo 485 Gold core clocked at 2.96 GHz, alongside three additional Gold cores at 2.42 GHz, and four Silver cores at 1.78 GHz. This contrasts with the K12 Pro’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver configuration. The 7nm process node of the 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, allowing for sustained performance during intensive tasks. Gamers and power users will overwhelmingly benefit from the Poco X3 Pro’s superior processing power.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging (59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min) is significantly faster than the K12 Pro’s 20W charging. This faster charging capability is a major advantage for users who prioritize convenience and quick top-ups. The K12 Pro does offer 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Poco X3 Pro, but its utility is limited.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 Pro if you need a reliable, efficient device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption, and value longer battery life over raw performance. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to trade some battery efficiency for a significant performance boost.
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 for being relatively efficient. However, sustained gaming will generate heat. The Poco X3 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions, but prolonged, high-intensity gaming may lead to some throttling to maintain stable performance. It's less prone to overheating than earlier Snapdragon 865 devices.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Lenovo K12 Pro slow compared to the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W?
Yes, 20W charging is considerably slower than 33W. The Poco X3 Pro can reach 100% charge in approximately 59 minutes, while the K12 Pro will take significantly longer. This difference is noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 860 is more than capable of running PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings and frame rates. Users can expect a smooth and responsive gaming experience, even with demanding visual effects.
❓ Does the Lenovo K12 Pro have a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Lenovo phones in this price range typically include a microSD card slot. However, it's best to confirm this specification with the retailer or Lenovo's official website before purchasing.
