The Oppo A56 5G and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, but diverge in areas like charging speed and display characteristics, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious consumers seeking 5G connectivity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the same Dimensity 700 chipset, the Poco M3 Pro’s 18W charging and measured 536 nits of display brightness provide a tangible advantage over the Oppo A56 5G’s slower 10W charging and unspecified display brightness.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 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, 28, 41, 77, 78 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2021, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 16 | Available. Released 2021, May 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.45 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 | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda / Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 / UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 |
|---|
| 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | 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 | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Violet | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue |
| Models | PFVM10 | M2103K19PG, M2103K19PI, M2103K19PY |
| Price | About 220 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 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1475:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
Oppo A56 5G
- Minimalist design aesthetic
- Identical CPU performance to Poco M3 Pro
- Reliable 5G connectivity via Dimensity 700
- Slow 10W charging
- Unspecified display brightness
- Limited camera details
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display (536 nits)
- Stronger endurance rating
- Identical CPU performance to Oppo A56 5G
- Camera details are vague
- Potentially bulkier design
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A56 5G and Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G feature displays with a 1475:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar image quality in controlled lighting. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 536 nits, a significant advantage over the Oppo A56 5G, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Poco’s superior brightness makes it the more practical choice for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. This vagueness makes a direct comparison difficult. It’s reasonable to assume both will offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is likely a marketing tactic, as these sensors typically deliver limited detail and usefulness. Without further specifications, the camera performance is likely comparable, leaning towards adequate rather than exceptional.
Performance
At the heart of both devices lies the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) chipset, paired with an Octa-core CPU configuration of 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical between the two. The real-world impact of this chipset is smooth performance for everyday tasks and adequate handling of moderately demanding games. Neither device is positioned as a gaming powerhouse, but the Dimensity 700 provides a solid foundation for casual gaming. RAM configurations are not specified, but will likely impact multitasking performance.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G and Oppo A56 5G both achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco M3 Pro 5G’s 18W wired charging significantly outperforms the Oppo A56 5G’s 10W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time for the Poco, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed gives the Poco M3 Pro a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A56 5G if your priority is a minimalist design and you rarely push your phone’s battery to its limits, accepting slower charging as a trade-off. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G if you value faster charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a slightly more robust endurance rating, making it ideal for users who actively stream media or game on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 700 is capable of running Genshin Impact, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable framerate. Neither phone is optimized for high-end gaming, but the Dimensity 700 provides a sufficient experience for casual gaming.
❓ Is the 121-hour endurance rating realistic for typical smartphone usage?
The 121-hour endurance rating is based on a standardized test and represents a conservative estimate. Actual battery life will vary depending on your usage patterns, including screen-on time, app usage, and network conditions. Expect closer to 1-1.5 days of typical use.
❓ How does the 18W charging on the Poco M3 Pro 5G compare to other phones with 33W or 67W charging?
18W charging is considerably slower than 33W or 67W charging technologies. While it's a significant improvement over the Oppo A56 5G's 10W charging, it will still take considerably longer to fully charge the device – typically around 2-3 hours from 0 to 100%.
