The Realme 6S and Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC represent compelling options in the fiercely competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a premium experience without the premium price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches – Realme prioritizing raw processing power with the Helio G90T, while Xiaomi focuses on a more efficient chipset with the Snapdragon 732G and a larger battery. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and battery longevity, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 732G offers a more balanced experience, coupled with a respectable 125-hour endurance rating. While the Realme 6S boasts faster 30W charging, the Poco X3 NFC’s efficiency and overall package are more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 26. Released 2020, June 02 | 2020, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 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-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1
|
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Lunar White | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | RMX2002 | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | € 259.00 |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | Rp 2,800,000 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | € 229.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 119.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 125h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1299:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 6S
- Faster 30W wired charging.
- Potentially higher peak CPU performance in short bursts.
- Aggressive pricing may make it more affordable.
- Less efficient Helio G90T chipset leads to potential throttling.
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the Poco X3 NFC.
- Camera performance is generally considered inferior.
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- More efficient Snapdragon 732G chipset for sustained performance.
- Excellent 125-hour battery endurance.
- Generally better camera performance.
- Charging is slightly slower than the Realme 6S.
- May be slightly more expensive depending on RAM configuration.
- IPS LCD display may not be as vibrant as some competitors.
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 6S and Poco X3 NFC share a nominal contrast ratio of 1299:1, suggesting similar visual quality in terms of black levels and color depth. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing. Given the Poco X3 NFC’s market positioning, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel, common for this price range. The Realme 6S, while also likely IPS LCD, may have a slightly higher peak brightness to compensate for the more power-hungry Helio G90T. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the focus should be on real-world viewing experience rather than raw specs.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both will rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially macro/depth sensors. The Poco X3 NFC’s camera system is generally regarded as more capable in real-world testing, offering better dynamic range and detail. The Realme 6S’s camera is adequate but doesn’t stand out in the same way. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm) is built on a more efficient process node than the Realme 6S’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm). This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. While the G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores clock slightly higher (2.05 GHz vs 2.3 GHz on the Kryo 470 Gold), the Snapdragon 732G’s architecture and efficiency gains provide a more consistent experience. The Poco X3 NFC’s CPU scores will likely be higher in sustained workloads, preventing throttling. The availability of 6GB or 8GB RAM options for the Poco X3 NFC also provides a potential advantage for multitasking.
Battery Life
The Poco X3 NFC boasts an endurance rating of 125 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Realme 6S’s battery capacity is not specified, the more power-hungry Helio G90T likely necessitates a smaller battery to maintain a competitive price point. The Poco X3 NFC’s 33W charging is slightly faster than the Realme 6S’s 30W, reaching 62% in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes, compared to the Realme’s 55 minutes for a full charge. However, the Snapdragon 732G’s efficiency means the Poco X3 NFC will likely require less frequent charging overall.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6S if you are a power user who frequently engages in graphically demanding mobile gaming and values the fastest possible charging speeds. The Helio G90T’s raw CPU and GPU performance will provide a noticeable edge in those scenarios. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you prioritize a smoother, more consistent experience across all tasks, longer battery life, and a more refined software experience. It’s the better choice for everyday users and those who value efficiency over peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G90T in the Realme 6S overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The MediaTek Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 732G. While the Realme 6S has cooling solutions, extended gaming at high settings can lead to noticeable throttling, reducing performance over time. The Poco X3 NFC’s Snapdragon 732G maintains more consistent performance under sustained load.
❓ Is the 64GB storage option on the Poco X3 NFC sufficient for most users?
64GB can be limiting, especially with modern app sizes and media storage. While expandable via microSD, the 128GB option is highly recommended for a smoother experience, particularly if you plan to record a lot of video or install numerous games. The Realme 6S storage options are not specified, but 128GB is preferable if available.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Xiaomi's MIUI?
MIUI, found on the Poco X3 NFC, is known for its extensive customization options but can also include pre-installed bloatware. Realme UI, on the Realme 6S, aims for a cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience. Both offer regular updates, but MIUI generally receives more frequent feature additions, while Realme UI prioritizes stability.
