Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs Oppo Reno5 Z: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Oppo Reno5 Z represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The Poco X3 Pro prioritizes raw processing power with its Snapdragon 860, while the Reno5 Z focuses on a balanced package with the Dimensity 800U. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, particularly in gaming, and its 33W charging is noticeably faster. While the Reno5 Z offers a sleek design, the Poco X3 Pro delivers more bang for your buck.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno5 Z Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 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, April 042021, March 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 04Available. Released 2021, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back
Dimensions160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 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
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB 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
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedFM 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min
TypeLi-Po 4310 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsFluid Black, Cosmo BluePhantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze
ModelsCPH2211M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI
PriceAbout 330 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 112h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 453223 (v8) GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo Reno5 Z

  • More powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
  • Faster 33W charging
  • Likely better gaming performance

  • Potentially less refined design
  • May lack some of the software polish of Oppo

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Sleek and lightweight design
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • Oppo’s ColorOS offers a smooth user experience

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Poco X3 Pro
  • Slower charging speed

Display Comparison

Both the Poco X3 Pro and Reno5 Z share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing for the Reno5 Z. Given the Poco X3 Pro’s focus on gaming, it’s likely to have a higher refresh rate (120Hz) which is a significant advantage for smoother visuals. Without comparable data for the Reno5 Z, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles relative to the Poco X3 Pro.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or OIS. The absence of this information makes a direct comparison challenging. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s overall focus on value, it’s likely to prioritize a larger main sensor for better low-light performance. The Reno5 Z may lean towards image processing that emphasizes color vibrancy, a common Oppo trait. Without detailed specs, it’s safe to assume both offer adequate camera performance for social media and casual photography, but the Poco X3 Pro likely has the edge in image quality due to potential sensor size advantages.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) boasts a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, significantly exceeding the Reno5 Z’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 architecture, with its mix of Gold and Silver cores, is optimized for sustained performance. While the Dimensity 800U is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 860 offers a substantial leap in GPU performance, translating to higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. The Reno5 Z’s 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores are efficient, but won’t match the raw power of the Snapdragon 860’s configuration.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging significantly outperforms the Reno5 Z’s 30W charging. The Poco X3 Pro can reach 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, offering a much faster top-up time. This is a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their devices.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno5 Z if you prioritize a more refined aesthetic and a lighter device, and don't heavily rely on demanding mobile games. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you're a gamer, a power user who values performance above all else, or simply want the most processing power for your money. The Poco X3 Pro is the clear choice for those seeking maximum performance within a budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its efficient thermal management. While some heat is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Poco X3 Pro incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance. User reports suggest minimal overheating issues, even with demanding titles.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. Expect soft images and limited dynamic range.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro is more than capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings. Many users report a smooth and responsive gaming experience, even with multiple background apps running.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno5 Z support VoLTE on all major carriers?
VoLTE support can vary depending on the carrier and region. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing the Reno5 Z to ensure seamless 4G calling and data services.