The Motorola Moto G10 and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver connectivity at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and display implementation. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Moto G10’s Snapdragon 460, and the faster 18W charging mitigates the slightly smaller battery capacity. While the Moto G10 boasts superior contrast, the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s brighter display and overall speed make it the more versatile device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 16 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February 27 | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Water-repellent design | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.2% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 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@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (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 | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Grey, Iridescent Pearl | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | XT2127-2 | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 140 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 152h
|
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 11878:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1475:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 140230 (v8)
GeekBench: 1139 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Motorola Moto G10
- Exceptional battery endurance (152h)
- High contrast ratio for deeper blacks
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Significantly slower processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Dimmer display
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Faster and more efficient Dimensity 700 chipset
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Faster 18W charging
- Shorter battery endurance (121h)
- Lower contrast ratio
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s display significantly outshines the Moto G10 in terms of brightness, achieving a measured 536 nits compared to the G10’s 370 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. However, the Moto G10 counters with a substantially higher contrast ratio of 11878:1 (nominal) versus the Poco’s 1475:1. While the nominal contrast ratio of the Moto G10 is likely inflated, the real-world difference is noticeable, offering deeper blacks. Both displays utilize LCD technology, and neither are expected to offer the color accuracy of OLED panels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s overall focus on delivering a more complete experience, it’s reasonable to assume a more refined image processing pipeline. The inclusion of 5G also allows for faster uploads of photos and videos. The lack of detail regarding sensor size and aperture makes a detailed comparison impossible, and the presence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices suggests limited utility beyond marketing.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a more efficient 7nm process, offers a considerable performance advantage over the Moto G10’s 11nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 460. The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, while its Cortex-A55 cores (6x2.0 GHz) handle background tasks efficiently. The Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores (4x1.8 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz) are simply less capable, resulting in slower app loading times and less fluid multitasking. The Dimensity 700 also unlocks 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Moto G10.
Battery Life
The Moto G10 boasts an endurance rating of 152 hours, indicating superior battery life compared to the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s 121 hours. However, this advantage is partially offset by the Poco’s faster 18W wired charging, compared to the G10’s sluggish 10W charging. While the G10’s larger battery capacity promises longer runtimes, the Poco’s quicker charging allows for faster top-ups, reducing downtime. The Dimensity 700’s 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, mitigating the battery capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G10 if you prioritize maximum contrast ratio and exceptionally long battery endurance, even at the expense of processing power. This phone is ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, quicker charging, and a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions. This is the better choice for users who want a more responsive and feature-rich experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Poco M3 Pro 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with acceptable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Snapdragon 460 in the Moto G10, which may struggle with consistent performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Moto G10 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, the Moto G10 will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is a significant drawback compared to the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s 18W charging, which can reduce charging times to around 1.5-2 hours.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Poco M3 Pro 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, even in areas with limited 5G availability, the Poco M3 Pro 5G can benefit from improved 4G+ speeds and lower latency due to its more advanced modem. It future-proofs the device for wider 5G rollout.
