Realme 7i vs. Poco X3 NFC: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Realme 7i and Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a strong feature set without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Realme 7i focuses on efficient power management with the Snapdragon 662, while the Poco X3 NFC aggressively targets performance with the Snapdragon 732G and a significantly faster charging solution. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and rapid charging, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 732G offers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 33W charging is a game-changer. However, the Realme 7i remains a viable option for those seeking a more power-efficient device at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 7i Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC
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, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, September 17. Released 2020, September 182020, September 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, September 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 618
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 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 lens64 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
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoFM 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired, 62% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsAurora Green, Polar BlueCobalt Blue, Shadow Gray
ModelsRMX2103M2007J20CG, M2007J20CT
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 100 EUR
SAR1.10 W/kg (head)     0.53 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 RAMRp 2,950,000Rp 2,800,000
64GB 4GB RAM₹ 12,990-
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 7i

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
  • Good battery endurance (125h)

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Poco X3 NFC
  • Limited display information

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC

  • Faster Snapdragon 732G chipset
  • 33W fast charging (62% in 30 min)
  • 120Hz display (implied)

  • Slightly higher price
  • Potentially less efficient chipset
  • Limited camera details

Display Comparison

Both the Realme 7i 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 specifications like peak brightness, color gamut coverage (DCI-P3), and panel type are missing for the Realme 7i. The Poco X3 NFC's display, while not explicitly detailed beyond the contrast ratio, is known for its 120Hz refresh rate, a significant advantage for smoother scrolling and gaming. This higher refresh rate is absent on the Realme 7i, making the Poco X3 NFC the superior choice for visually demanding users.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a camera setup focused on versatility, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Realme 7i's camera is described as 'Photo / Video' without specifics. The Poco X3 NFC also lacks detailed camera specs in the provided data. However, given the market positioning of both devices, it's likely both rely on a primary sensor for most image capture. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. The presence of a dedicated Night Mode and AI scene detection on the Poco X3 NFC suggests a more refined image processing pipeline, potentially offering better low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 NFC’s Snapdragon 732G (8nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Realme 7i’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 732G features Kryo 470 Gold cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, compared to the 662’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores. This, combined with the more efficient 8nm process, translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Poco X3 NFC in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both phones offer 6GB/8GB RAM options, the superior chipset in the Poco X3 NFC will better utilize that RAM. The Realme 7i's efficiency might offer slightly better sustained performance under *very* long loads, but the Poco X3 NFC's headroom is significantly higher.

Battery Life

The Poco X3 NFC boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 62% in 30 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The Realme 7i is limited to 18W charging, resulting in a considerably slower charging experience. Both phones have an endurance rating of 125 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the faster charging of the Poco X3 NFC mitigates any potential battery life concerns, allowing for quicker top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 7i if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and aren't heavily invested in demanding mobile games. It's ideal for users who prioritize efficiency and a smooth, consistent experience over peak performance. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC if you prefer a phone capable of handling graphically intensive games, appreciate incredibly fast charging, and want a device that feels more responsive in everyday tasks. It's the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 732G in the Poco X3 NFC get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 732G is a powerful chip, it's generally well-managed in the Poco X3 NFC. Reports indicate moderate warming, but not to the point of significant throttling. The phone's thermal design helps dissipate heat, allowing for sustained performance during gaming. However, prolonged, demanding gaming will inevitably lead to some heat buildup.
❓ Is the NFC functionality on the Poco X3 NFC compatible with Google Pay and other mobile payment services?
Yes, the NFC functionality on the Poco X3 NFC is fully compatible with Google Pay and other popular mobile payment services. It supports a wide range of NFC-enabled applications, making it convenient for contactless payments and data transfer.
❓ How does the Realme 7i handle multitasking with several apps open simultaneously?
The Realme 7i, with its available 4GB or 8GB of RAM, can handle moderate multitasking without significant slowdowns. However, compared to the Poco X3 NFC, it may exhibit more app reloading when switching between numerous applications due to the less powerful chipset. It's suitable for everyday multitasking but may struggle with extremely demanding scenarios.