The Realme Narzo 30 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both aim to deliver strong performance without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches. The Narzo 30 leverages MediaTek’s Helio G95, while the Poco X3 Pro boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 – a chip previously found in higher-end devices. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone is the better fit for your needs.
🏆 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, and its 33W charging is noticeably faster. While the Narzo 30 offers respectable performance, the Poco X3 Pro delivers a more future-proof and responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 18 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 20 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 580 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 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 MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | 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, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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, (wide), 1/3.06", 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 65 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Blue, Racing Silver | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | RMX2156 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 460 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
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Respectable battery endurance
- Inferior chipset compared to Snapdragon 860
- Slower charging speed
- Likely less capable camera system
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 860 processor
- Faster 33W charging
- Likely superior camera performance
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potential for higher thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 7nm process)
- Similar battery endurance to Narzo 30 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing. Given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning, it likely features an IPS LCD with a higher refresh rate (typically 120Hz, based on market trends), offering smoother scrolling and animations compared to the Narzo 30, which is likely a standard 60Hz panel. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means they won't offer the variable refresh rate benefits of premium displays.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s overall focus on performance, it likely incorporates a more capable main sensor and image processing pipeline. The Narzo 30 may prioritize cost savings in this area. It's reasonable to assume the Poco X3 Pro will deliver better low-light performance and more detailed images, though software optimization plays a crucial role.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant step up from the Realme Narzo 30’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, deliver substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The Helio G95’s Cortex-A76 cores, while capable, are less efficient and offer lower peak performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Poco X3 Pro. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, charging speeds differ significantly. The Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging can reach 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, while the Narzo 30’s 30W charging takes 65 minutes to reach full charge. This faster charging speed on the Poco X3 Pro is a practical advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 30 if you prioritize a balance of features and value, and aren't a demanding mobile gamer. It's a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you're a mobile gaming enthusiast or frequently use resource-intensive applications. The Snapdragon 860 provides a substantial performance boost, making it ideal for demanding users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, it's known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the 7nm process node and Xiaomi's thermal management solutions (likely including graphite sheets and heat pipes) help mitigate throttling. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Narzo 30 sufficient for daily use, or is the Poco X3 Pro's 33W a significant improvement?
The 33W charging on the Poco X3 Pro is a noticeable improvement. Reaching 59% charge in 30 minutes is significantly faster than the Narzo 30's charging speed. For users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, the Poco X3 Pro offers a more convenient experience.
❓ How does the Helio G95 in the Narzo 30 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G95 can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro will provide a significantly better gaming experience, allowing you to play at higher settings with more stable performance.
