The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Realme Q3 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a 5G experience, they take drastically different approaches to achieving it, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 860. However, the Realme Q3 5G offers a more balanced package with 5G connectivity and potentially lower cost, making it suitable for everyday users and those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 29 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 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 | 189 g (6.67 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 (~83.9% 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 (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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, 26mm (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; 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) | 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 | 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, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 63 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | RMX3161 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 170 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 Q3 5G
- 5G Connectivity for future-proof networking
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor than the Poco X3 Pro
- Limited performance for demanding games
- Missing detailed display specifications
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 for excellent gaming performance
- Faster 33W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Potentially higher price than the Realme Q3 5G
- 5G connectivity may not be a priority for all users
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for the Realme Q3 5G. The Poco X3 Pro’s display, while not explicitly detailed beyond contrast, benefits from the processing power of the Snapdragon 860 to drive higher frame rates in supported games. Without further data on the Q3 5G’s panel, the X3 Pro likely offers a more visually refined experience, especially for gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s focus on performance, it’s reasonable to assume its image signal processor (ISP) benefits from the more powerful Snapdragon 860, potentially leading to faster image processing and better low-light performance. The Realme Q3 5G’s camera performance will likely be adequate for casual use, but unlikely to compete with the X3 Pro in challenging conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant step up from the Realme Q3 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The 860 features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold core alongside three additional Gold cores and four Silver cores, offering substantially higher peak performance. The 750G’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 configuration is geared towards efficiency rather than outright speed. This translates to a noticeable advantage for the X3 Pro in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 7nm process of the 860 also generally leads to better thermal management under sustained load compared to the 8nm 750G, potentially reducing throttling.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the Poco X3 Pro’s more power-hungry chipset. This is likely achieved through software optimization and battery capacity management. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging (100% in 59 minutes) is faster than the Realme Q3 5G’s 30W charging (100% in 63 minutes), offering a quicker top-up when needed. The X3 Pro also reaches 59% charge in just 30 minutes, a significant advantage for users who need a quick boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3 5G if you need a reliable 5G phone for everyday tasks, streaming, and light gaming, and value affordability. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize demanding mobile gaming, need the fastest possible processing speeds within a budget, and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery efficiency for that performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, and while it generally manages heat well, it can experience throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming. The Poco X3 Pro's thermal design will play a crucial role, and users may want to consider using a cooling accessory for extended play.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Realme Q3 5G actually useful if I don't have 5G coverage in my area?
Not immediately. The 5G modem adds cost to the device. If 5G isn't available, the phone will fall back to 4G LTE, and you won't see any benefit from the 5G hardware. However, it future-proofs the device for when 5G infrastructure expands.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 750G in the Realme Q3 5G compare to older Snapdragon 700 series chips?
The Snapdragon 750G represents an improvement over older 700 series chips, particularly in 5G modem capabilities and efficiency. However, it still falls short of the performance offered by the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro, especially in GPU-intensive tasks.
