Motorola Moto G50 vs Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Moto G50 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Moto G50 prioritizes extended battery life and 5G connectivity, while the Poco X3 Pro focuses on delivering flagship-level processing power at a mid-range price. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset offers a significantly more responsive experience, especially for gaming. However, the Motorola Moto G50 excels in battery endurance, making it ideal for users who need a phone that lasts well beyond a single day.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G50 Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India
Launch
Announced2021, March 252021, March 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2021, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back
Dimensions164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.95 x 0.35 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-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 Water-repellent designIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-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
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer (market dependant)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsSteel Gray, Aqua GreenPhantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze
ModelsXT2137-1, XT2137-2M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI
PriceAbout 190 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 133h Endurance rating 112h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1819:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.0 LUFS (Good) -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 286916 (v9) GeekBench: 1620 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 453223 (v8) GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G50

  • Exceptional battery life (133h endurance)
  • 5G connectivity for future-proof networking
  • More affordable price point (likely)

  • Significantly weaker processor performance
  • Slow 15W charging
  • Lower peak display brightness

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
  • Fast 33W charging
  • Superior gaming performance

  • Shorter battery life (112h endurance)
  • Potentially higher price
  • Less efficient chipset (compared to 8nm)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature displays with nominal contrast ratios – 1819:1 for the Moto G50 and 1401:1 for the Poco X3 Pro – suggesting similar black levels. However, the Moto G50 boasts a measured peak brightness of 362 nits, which, while not exceptional, is likely to provide better visibility outdoors compared to the Poco X3 Pro, for which brightness data is unavailable. The difference in contrast ratios suggests the Poco X3 Pro may have slightly less vibrant colors, but without further testing, this remains speculative. Both lack high refresh rate panels, a common omission in this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but details are limited. Without specific sensor information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s higher processing power likely allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which may introduce artifacts in videos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.

Performance

The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Moto G50’s Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm). The 860’s octa-core configuration, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, delivers a noticeable boost in CPU and GPU performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a far superior gaming experience. The Snapdragon 480, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with graphically intensive games. The 7nm process node of the 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged use.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G50 takes the lead in battery endurance with a rating of 133 hours, compared to the Poco X3 Pro’s 112 hours. This suggests the Moto G50 can last significantly longer on a single charge, despite having a smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data). However, the Poco X3 Pro compensates with its 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour. The Moto G50’s 15W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to fully recharge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G50 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, and 5G connectivity is a must-have. It's perfect for travelers or those who frequently find themselves away from a charger. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding apps, and quick charging. This phone is geared towards users who want a smooth, responsive experience and don't want to compromise on performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, and while its 7nm process helps with efficiency, prolonged gaming will generate heat. The Poco X3 Pro's thermal design is adequate for most use cases, but expect some warmth during demanding games. Performance throttling may occur to manage temperatures.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Moto G50 painfully slow in real-world use?
Yes, 15W charging is considerably slower than the 33W on the Poco X3 Pro. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours, making it less convenient for users who need a quick top-up. It's best to charge the Moto G50 overnight.
❓ Can the Moto G50 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Moto G50 can *run* these games, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 480 is not designed for high-end gaming, so don't expect a smooth experience on maximum settings.
❓ Does either phone have a headphone jack?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, the Poco X3 Pro is known to include a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature increasingly rare in smartphones. The Moto G50's inclusion of a headphone jack is less certain and would require further investigation.