The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A55 and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G both aim to deliver affordable 5G connectivity, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Oppo A55’s Helio G35, making it better suited for demanding tasks and future-proofing. While both offer similar battery endurance and charging speeds, the Poco’s processing power justifies the slight price difference.
| 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, 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 01 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 01 | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG T2X-1 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 550 nits (peak) | 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 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8 26mm (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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 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, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rainbow Blue, Starry Black, Green | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | CPH2325 | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | £ 100.00 | 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)
|
Oppo A55
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Weak processor performance
- Limited gaming capabilities
- Lower display brightness
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Significantly faster processor
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Higher display brightness for outdoor use
- May be slightly more expensive
- MIUI software can be resource intensive
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both phones 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 tangible advantage over the Oppo A55’s unspecified brightness. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While both are likely LCD panels given the price point, the Poco’s superior brightness makes it the more practical choice for users who spend significant time outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price bracket, expecting flagship-level camera performance is unrealistic. The Poco M3 Pro 5G likely benefits from the increased processing power of the Dimensity 700, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Poco’s chipset gives it an edge in computational photography.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Oppo A55’s Mediatek Helio G35, utilizing four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz, fabricated on a less efficient 12nm node. The Dimensity 700’s architecture and smaller process node deliver significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, making the Poco more responsive and capable of handling graphically intensive games. The A55 will struggle with anything beyond casual gaming.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A55 and Poco M3 Pro 5G share an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. Both also support 18W wired charging. This suggests that while the battery capacities may differ, optimizations in software and power management result in similar real-world battery performance. The 18W charging won’t be exceptionally fast, but it’s adequate for topping up the battery overnight.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A55 if you prioritize a simple, streamlined user experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks 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 more powerful processor for long-term usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 700 chipset capable of running demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Dimensity 700 is significantly more capable than the Helio G35 in the Oppo A55. While you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal performance, the Poco M3 Pro 5G can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings, providing a playable gaming experience. The Oppo A55 would likely struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ Does the Oppo A55’s Helio G35 processor struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio G35 is a relatively weak processor. While it can handle basic multitasking (switching between a few apps), it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdown when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s Dimensity 700 offers a much smoother multitasking experience.
❓ What type of display technology do these phones use?
Both phones likely utilize LCD panels, given their price point. Neither manufacturer explicitly states the panel type. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s higher peak brightness suggests a potentially better quality LCD panel.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge both devices with the 18W charger?
While both support 18W charging, the actual 0-100% charge time will vary depending on usage patterns and battery health. Expect approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge on both devices. The charging speed isn't particularly fast, but it's sufficient for overnight charging.
