The Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches – the Narzo focusing on rapid charging and the Poco prioritizing raw processing power. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, particularly in gaming, outweighing the Narzo 30 Pro 5G’s faster charging. However, the Narzo is a viable alternative for those who prioritize charging speed above all else.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 24 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 04 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75.1 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.36 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 g (6.91 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| 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 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz , 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-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 | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 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) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, PD, 50% in 25 min, 100% in 65 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sword Black, Blade Silver | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | RMX2117 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 200 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) |
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G
- Faster initial charging speed (50% in 25 mins)
- PD charging support for wider compatibility
- Slightly quicker full charge time (65 mins)
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 800U)
- Likely limited to 60Hz display
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Significantly more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 860)
- Likely features a 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- Better sustained performance for gaming
- Slower initial charging speed (59% in 30 mins)
- Slightly longer full charge time (59 mins)
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and panel type are missing. Given the market positioning, we can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rate information is notable; the Poco X3 Pro is known to have a 120Hz display, a significant advantage for smoother scrolling and gaming, while the Narzo 30 Pro 5G is likely limited to a standard 60Hz panel. This difference impacts the overall user experience, making the Poco more responsive.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market segment, it’s reasonable to expect similar camera performance. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a key omission; its presence would significantly improve low-light photography and video stability. We can assume both phones include a standard set of lenses, but the image quality will likely depend more on software optimization than hardware prowess.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold prime core, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold performance cores, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver efficiency cores – compared to the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm) with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This translates to a noticeable performance gap, especially in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 860’s architecture is geared towards sustained performance, making it the clear winner for users who push their phones to the limit. The lack of LPDDR5X RAM specification for either device makes it difficult to assess memory bandwidth, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The Poco X3 Pro supports 33W wired charging, reaching 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes. The Narzo 30 Pro 5G, with its 30W wired charging (and PD support), achieves 50% in 25 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. While the Poco’s peak wattage is higher, the Narzo’s faster initial charge rate and slightly quicker full charge time give it a slight edge in charging convenience. The similar endurance ratings mean the faster charging of the Narzo is more impactful for users who frequently need to top up.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly and value the convenience of 30W charging. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer, a power user who demands snappy performance, or simply want the most processing power for your money in this price bracket.
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 generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the chip is designed to maintain stable performance without significant throttling. The Poco X3 Pro also incorporates cooling solutions to further mitigate heat buildup.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Narzo 30 Pro 5G enough for daily use, or should I consider a faster charger?
30W charging is reasonably fast and should be sufficient for most users. The Narzo 30 Pro 5G reaches 50% charge in just 25 minutes, providing a quick boost when needed. While faster charging is available, the 30W implementation is a good balance between speed and convenience.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high frame rate gaming, like 90fps in PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps and potentially higher with optimized settings). The 120Hz display further enhances the gaming experience by providing smoother visuals.
