The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, with the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G and the Micromax In 1 vying for attention. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieve this. The Poco leverages Mediatek’s more advanced Dimensity 700 chipset, while the In 1 opts for the Helio G80. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Micromax In 1’s Helio G80 (12nm). While both offer 18W charging and similar battery endurance ratings, 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, March 19. Released 2021, March 26 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 77 x 9 mm (6.50 x 3.03 x 0.35 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 440 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | E6746 | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.96 W/kg (head) | 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)
|
Micromax In 1
- Potentially lower price point
- Locally supported brand (Micromax)
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful processor (Helio G80)
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- More powerful processor (Dimensity 700)
- More efficient 7nm process
- Integrated 5G modem
- Brighter display (536 nits)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Xiaomi's MIUI software can be polarizing
Display Comparison
Both phones lack detailed display specifications beyond the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s measured 536 nits of peak brightness and 1475:1 contrast ratio. The Poco’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Poco’s contrast ratio suggests potentially better color reproduction. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment, but the Poco’s brighter display provides a more vibrant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering little concrete detail. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning of the Poco M3 Pro 5G suggests a potentially more refined camera system. The Dimensity 700 chipset also includes an enhanced image signal processor (ISP) that could lead to better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and shouldn't be a primary consideration.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This is a significant upgrade over the Micromax In 1’s Helio G80 (12nm), which uses two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 700 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning sustained performance will be higher. The A76 cores in the Poco also provide a performance boost over the A75 cores in the In 1. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Dimensity 700’s integrated 5G modem is a key advantage.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. Both also support 18W wired charging, and 2.5W reverse wired charging. The Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency *could* translate to slightly longer battery life under heavy use, but the difference is likely minimal. The 18W charging speed is relatively slow compared to some competitors, meaning a full charge will take over two hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Micromax In 1 if you prioritize a locally-supported brand and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Helio G80 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you want a more powerful processor for gaming, multitasking, and a smoother overall experience, and if 5G connectivity is a key requirement. The Dimensity 700 offers a significant step up in performance and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 700 chipset handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Helio G80 in the Micromax In 1, thanks to its more powerful CPU and GPU.
❓ Is the 18W charging speed on both phones sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
No, 18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take over two hours. It's adequate for overnight charging, but won't provide a significant boost in a short amount of time. Both phones would benefit from faster charging capabilities.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Micromax In 1 and the Poco M3 Pro 5G?
The Micromax In 1 runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a clean and bloatware-free experience. The Poco M3 Pro 5G runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, which is heavily customized and includes numerous features, but also comes with pre-installed apps and a different user interface that some users may find less appealing.
