The Realme 7 (Asia) and Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC represent compelling options in the fiercely competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. Both devices prioritize performance and gaming, but achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature implementation. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained gaming performance and a slightly brighter display, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 732G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, offers a performance edge and better thermal management, despite the Realme 7's faster 30W charging.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 10 | 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 | 162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.37 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 | 196.5 g (6.95 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | 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 (~83.4% 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 MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 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 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (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 | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 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 | Yes (Indonesia only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min | 33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mist Blue, Mist White | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | RMX2151, RMX2163 | M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 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 |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good) |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 283750 (v8)
GeekBench: 1777 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 7 (Asia)
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Slightly brighter display (525 nits)
- Potentially more affordable depending on region
- Less efficient 12nm chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling during prolonged gaming
- Limited camera information
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
- More efficient 8nm Snapdragon 732G chipset
- Better sustained gaming performance
- Solid 125-hour endurance rating
- Slightly slower charging speed
- Display brightness potentially lower than Realme 7
- Price may be higher depending on configuration
Display Comparison
Both the Realme 7 and Poco X3 NFC feature displays with similar contrast ratios around 1300:1, indicating comparable black levels. However, the Realme 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 525 nits, exceeding the Poco X3 NFC’s unspecified brightness. While both are adequate for outdoor visibility, the Realme 7 will perform better in direct sunlight. The lack of information regarding panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) and refresh rate for both devices limits a deeper analysis, but both are likely 60Hz panels given the price point.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is hampered by limited information. Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics like sensor size, aperture, and image processing algorithms are missing. Without this data, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility. The focus should be on the main sensor performance, which remains unknown.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 NFC utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8nm), while the Realme 7 employs the MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 732G’s 8nm process provides a significant advantage in thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The CPU configuration of the Poco X3 NFC (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) also offers a slight clock speed advantage over the Realme 7’s (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Poco X3 NFC.
Battery Life
The Poco X3 NFC has an endurance rating of 125 hours, suggesting solid battery life. While the Realme 7’s battery capacity is not specified, its 30W charging is notably faster than the Poco X3 NFC’s 33W, achieving 50% charge in 26 minutes versus 30 minutes for the Poco. However, both phones reach 100% charge in 65 minutes. The Snapdragon 732G’s efficiency may offset the Realme 7’s faster charging, resulting in comparable real-world battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7 (Asia) if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and frequently top up your phone throughout the day. Its 30W charging gets you to 50% in just 26 minutes. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you value consistent gaming performance, a more efficient chipset, and a slightly better overall user experience, even if it means a marginally slower charging time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Realme 7 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G95 is capable, its 12nm process and lower clock speeds compared to the Snapdragon 732G mean it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended PUBG Mobile sessions. You may experience frame drops or reduced graphics settings to maintain stable performance.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco X3 NFC significantly slower than the 30W on the Realme 7?
The difference in charging speed is minimal. Both phones take 65 minutes to reach 100%, but the Realme 7 gets to 50% slightly faster (26 minutes vs 30 minutes). The Poco X3 NFC’s more efficient chipset may also mean less heat generation during charging.
❓ What RAM and storage options are available for the Poco X3 NFC, and how do they affect the price?
The Poco X3 NFC is available in 64GB 6GB RAM (€229.00), 128GB 6GB RAM (€259.00), and 128GB 8GB RAM (Rp 2,800,000) configurations. The 128GB/8GB model offers the best performance and future-proofing, but comes at a higher cost.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 732G handle multitasking compared to the Helio G95?
The Snapdragon 732G generally offers smoother multitasking due to its more efficient architecture and higher clock speeds. It can handle more apps running in the background without significant performance degradation.
