Both the Oppo A53 5G and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G target the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both offer 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge in key areas like processing power, display quality, and charging speed. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the better choice. Its slightly faster CPU, brighter 536-nit display, and significantly faster 18W charging outweigh the Oppo A53 5G’s marginally lower price. The Poco offers a more refined user experience without a substantial price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 18. Released 2020, December 21 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.31 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 | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 30 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4040 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Purple | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | PECM30, PECT30 | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) | 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)
|
Oppo A53 5G
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Acceptable battery endurance (121h)
- 5G connectivity
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful processor (Dimensity 720)
- Display brightness likely lower than Poco
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display (536 nits)
- Slightly more powerful processor (Dimensity 700)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance to Oppo A53 5G
- Camera specs are vague
Display Comparison
The Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 536 nits, compared to the Oppo A53 5G’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1475:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. While the contrast ratio is identical on paper, the higher brightness of the Poco will translate to better visibility in outdoor conditions. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Oppo A53 5G makes a comprehensive comparison difficult, but the Poco’s measured brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Without this information, a meaningful camera comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will perform adequately in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light scenarios. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes camera performance as a key selling point. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing tactic with limited real-world benefit.
Performance
Both phones utilize Mediatek’s Dimensity series, but the Poco M3 Pro 5G features the Dimensity 700, while the Oppo A53 5G uses the Dimensity 720. The Poco’s CPU has slightly higher clock speeds (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 vs 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76), suggesting a marginal performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. Both chipsets share the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores running at 2.0 GHz. While the difference isn’t massive, the Poco’s CPU offers a small edge in responsiveness. Both devices likely share similar RAM configurations, impacting multitasking performance equally.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A53 5G and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G significantly outperforms the Oppo A53 5G in charging speed, offering 18W wired charging compared to the Oppo’s sluggish 10W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time for the Poco, reducing downtime and improving convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Poco is a substantial advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 5G if your primary concern is absolute minimum cost and you prioritize a simple, no-frills 5G experience. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a slightly more responsive processor for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Dimensity 700 in the Poco M3 Pro 5G powerful enough for gaming?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of handling most mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it provides a smooth experience for popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. Expect some frame drops in demanding scenes, but overall, it's a competent gaming chip for the price.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Oppo A53 5G with its 10W charger?
With its 10W charging, the Oppo A53 5G will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge – likely exceeding 3 hours from 0% to 100%. This is a significant drawback compared to the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s 18W charging, which can top up the battery much faster.
❓ Does the Poco M3 Pro 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi?
Support for VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your mobile carrier to confirm compatibility before purchasing the Poco M3 Pro 5G to ensure you can make and receive calls reliably.
❓ What type of storage does the Poco M3 Pro 5G use, and is it expandable?
While the exact storage type isn't specified in the provided data, most phones in this price range utilize UFS 2.1 or 2.2 storage. The Poco M3 Pro 5G does include a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the storage capacity if needed.
