The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Q3s and Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro are two strong contenders. Both offer impressive specs at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X5 Pro edges out the Realme Q3s thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and potentially better camera capabilities. While both share the same powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset, the Poco's added features make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 19 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 600 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora, Dark Blue | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | - | 22101320G, 22101320I |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 531398 (v9)
GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Q3s
- Balanced performance
- Good value
- Decent display
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
- Potentially weaker camera
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Fast charging (67W)
- Brighter display (912 nits)
- Potentially better camera
- Excellent battery life
- Software experience can be polarizing
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, but the Poco X5 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 912 nits, significantly brighter than the Q3s. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. The Poco X5 Pro also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a nominal value. The Q3s display is still good, but the Poco X5 Pro takes the lead here.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Poco X5 Pro is generally expected to have a slight edge. The Poco X5 Pro likely features a more advanced image processing pipeline and potentially better sensors. Specific camera specs are not fully detailed, but reviews generally favor the Poco X5 Pro's camera performance. Both offer standard photo and video capabilities.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, ensuring smooth performance for everyday tasks and even demanding games. CPU and GPU performance are virtually identical, so you won't notice a significant difference in speed. However, software optimization could play a role in real-world usage.
Battery Life
The Poco X5 Pro boasts an impressive endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Realme Q3s' battery life is not explicitly stated, but it's likely to be good, though not as exceptional as the Poco X5 Pro. The Poco X5 Pro's 67W fast charging is a major advantage, fully charging the phone in just 45 minutes, compared to the Q3s' 30W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q3s is a great option for users prioritizing a balanced experience and potentially a slightly lower price point. The Poco X5 Pro is ideal for those who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and a more feature-rich camera system.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is expected to have better battery life, with an endurance rating of 113 hours. The Realme Q3s' battery life is good, but not as exceptional.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G chipset enough for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset that can handle most mobile games smoothly. Both phones should provide a good gaming experience.
