Poco M3 Pro 5G vs LG K52: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a significantly faster experience than the LG K52’s Helio P35, and the inclusion of 5G future-proofs the device. However, the K52 remains a viable option for those who prioritize simplicity and don't need cutting-edge performance.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | LG K52 | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Australia | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 23. Released 2020, November 23 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| MIL-STD-810G compliant* *does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n or Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White, Blue, Red | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | LMK520, LM-K520, LMK520E, LM-K520E, LMK520Y, LM-K520Y, LMK520H, LM-K520H | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 121h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1475:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.9 LUFS (Good) |
LG K52
- Reliable and predictable performance for basic tasks
- Potentially simpler software experience
- Good battery endurance for light usage
- Significantly slower processor than the Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Lower peak display brightness
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Faster processor for smoother multitasking and gaming
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Software experience may be less refined than LG's
- Potentially more aggressive battery drain under heavy load
- May require more technical knowledge to optimize
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a contrast ratio of 1475:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 536 nits, significantly exceeding what we’d expect from the K52, which lacks published brightness data. This brighter display will be noticeably better outdoors and in direct sunlight. While both likely use IPS LCD panels, the Poco’s higher brightness translates to a superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s more powerful processor allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The LG K52’s camera system is likely geared towards basic photography, while the Poco offers more potential for creative shooting and improved image quality.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, features two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores alongside six efficiency cores. This contrasts sharply with the LG K52’s Helio P35 (12nm), which relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores for peak performance and another four for efficiency. The Dimensity 700’s architectural advantage and smaller node size deliver significantly faster CPU and GPU performance, making the Poco far more capable for gaming and demanding applications. The Poco also benefits from the efficiency gains of the 7nm process, potentially leading to better battery life under load.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s 18W wired charging is faster than what’s typically found on LG K52 models, allowing for quicker top-ups. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Dimensity 700’s 7nm efficiency could offset any capacity differences, providing similar real-world battery performance despite the faster processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG K52 if you need a dependable device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and value a predictable user experience over raw speed. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you want 5G connectivity, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps, even if it means potentially sacrificing some software polish.