Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs Oppo Reno6 Z: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Oppo Reno6 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 Reno6 Z leans towards a more balanced package with the Dimensity 800U. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset delivers significantly higher performance. However, the Oppo Reno6 Z offers a more refined experience with its 30W charging and potentially more optimized software, making it a viable choice for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno6 Z 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, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 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, July 202021, March 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 14Available. Released 2021, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back
Dimensions160.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.31 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 (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HDM), 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, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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
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
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide)20 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
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, 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 wired 5W reverse wired33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min
TypeLi-Po 4310 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, AuroraPhantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze
ModelsCPH2237M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI
PriceAbout 350 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 Reno6 Z

  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 860
  • Faster 33W charging
  • Potentially higher refresh rate display

  • Software experience may be less refined
  • Camera details are unknown, potentially lagging behind Reno6 Z

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks
  • 30W charging with 5W reverse charging
  • Potentially more optimized camera software

  • Significantly weaker CPU and GPU performance
  • May struggle with demanding games and applications

Display Comparison

Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and panel type are missing. Given the Poco X3 Pro’s gaming focus, it’s likely to have a higher refresh rate (a common feature in gaming phones), which isn’t specified for the Reno6 Z. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a display winner, but the potential for a higher refresh rate gives the Poco X3 Pro an edge for visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture information, or details on image processing algorithms, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Reno6 Z’s marketing often emphasizes camera features, it’s reasonable to assume Oppo has invested more in software optimization. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device suggests reliance on digital stabilization, potentially impacting low-light video quality. The lack of information makes it difficult to assess camera performance beyond basic functionality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) boasts a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, alongside three additional performance cores at 2.42 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.78 GHz. This configuration significantly outperforms the Oppo Reno6 Z’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm) which features a dual-core setup at 2.4 GHz and a hexa-core setup at 2.0 GHz. The Snapdragon 860’s architecture, with its more powerful Kryo 485 cores, translates to superior CPU and GPU performance, particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 860’s design is geared towards sustained performance, making it the better choice for demanding users.

Battery Life

Both the Poco X3 Pro and Reno6 Z achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ. The Poco X3 Pro supports 33W wired charging, reaching 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, while the Reno6 Z offers 30W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging. The Poco X3 Pro’s faster charging is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. The Reno6 Z’s reverse wired charging is a niche feature, useful for charging accessories but not a primary selling point.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno6 Z if you need a phone with a focus on balanced performance, reliable charging, and a potentially smoother software experience. It's ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and those who value a streamlined user interface. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming, demanding applications, and don't mind a potentially more aggressive software experience. It's the better choice for mobile gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its thermal efficiency, but sustained high performance can still generate heat. The Poco X3 Pro incorporates cooling solutions, but prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Reno6 Z useful for more than just earbuds?
While primarily intended for accessories like earbuds or smartwatches, the 5W reverse charging can provide a slow trickle charge to other smartphones in emergencies, though it's not a practical replacement for a dedicated power bank.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high frame rate gaming like 90fps in PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860’s Adreno 640 GPU is capable of handling high frame rates in many games, including PUBG Mobile. However, achieving 90fps will depend on the game’s settings and the device’s thermal management.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Poco X3 Pro and Reno6 Z?
The Poco X3 Pro runs MIUI, which is known for its extensive customization options but can also include pre-installed apps (bloatware). The Reno6 Z runs ColorOS, which generally offers a cleaner and more streamlined experience with a focus on aesthetics and ease of use.