The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the LG W41+ and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G are two contenders vying for your attention. While both offer 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware and target user. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a substantial performance uplift over the LG W41+'s Helio G35. While both phones share an identical endurance rating, the Poco's superior processing power makes it better suited for demanding tasks and future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 22. Released 2021, March 03 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 77.3 x 9.3 mm (6.56 x 3.04 x 0.37 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 | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 900 x 1600 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 118.3 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | 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 MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 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 | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, 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 | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Laser Blue | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | LMK610IM, LM-K610IM | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 170 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 W41+
- Potentially lower price point (depending on region)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Identical battery endurance to Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio G35)
- Less efficient 12nm manufacturing process
- Likely limited gaming performance
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Faster and more efficient processor (Dimensity 700)
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- 18W fast charging support
- May be slightly more expensive than the LG W41+
- Display brightness is good, but not exceptional
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both the LG W41+ and Poco M3 Pro 5G feature displays with a 1475:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 536 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. While the LG W41+'s display brightness isn't specified, the Poco's higher figure indicates a more usable experience in bright sunlight. Both displays share the same nominal contrast ratio, meaning color reproduction and black levels will be comparable in controlled environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning of the Poco M3 Pro 5G suggests a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with better image processing algorithms. The LG W41+ likely focuses on basic photography needs, while the Poco aims for a more versatile experience. The presence of a dedicated 5G modem in the Poco also allows for faster uploads of photos and videos.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, utilizes Cortex-A76 performance cores alongside efficient A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the LG W41+'s Helio G35, which relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores across all eight threads and is built on a less efficient 12nm process. The Dimensity 700’s architecture translates to a noticeable improvement in CPU and GPU performance, making the Poco M3 Pro 5G better equipped for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the LG W41+ and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G supports 18W wired charging, potentially allowing for faster top-ups compared to the LG W41+, where charging speed is unspecified. While the mAh capacity isn't provided for either device, the Dimensity 700's 7nm efficiency could contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance despite the identical endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG W41+ if you prioritize a simple, no-frills experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding applications, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the benefits of a faster processor and 5G connectivity for smoother streaming and downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco M3 Pro 5G's Dimensity 700 handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the LG W41+'s Helio G35, which would likely struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Poco M3 Pro 5G a significant improvement over the LG W41+ if the charging speed of the LG is unknown?
Yes, even a moderate difference in charging speed can be noticeable. 18W charging on the Poco M3 Pro 5G will likely result in a faster 0-100% charge time compared to a phone with a slower or unspecified charging rate. This is particularly useful for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Poco M3 Pro 5G impact real-world usage beyond faster download speeds?
Beyond faster downloads, 5G connectivity on the Poco M3 Pro 5G can improve streaming quality, reduce latency in online games, and enable smoother video calls. It also future-proofs the device for wider 5G network availability.
