The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme V15 5G and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options for users seeking performance without a flagship price tag. While both devices target similar consumers, they diverge in their core philosophies: the Poco X3 Pro prioritizes raw processing power with the Snapdragon 860, while the Realme V15 5G focuses on a balanced experience with the Dimensity 800U and exceptionally fast charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing gaming and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Realme V15 5G’s Dimensity 800U. However, the Realme V15 5G’s 50W charging is a compelling feature for those who value quick top-ups.
| 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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 07 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 15 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm / 8.3 mm | 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 | 176 g / 179 g (6.21 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 (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 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 | No | 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 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 | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (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 | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | 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, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 50W wired, 50% in 18 min, 100% in 47 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 4310 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Silver, Nebula, Blue | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 190 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 V15 5G
- Significantly faster 50W charging
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially more efficient chipset (Dimensity 800U)
- Less powerful processor than the Poco X3 Pro
- Gaming performance may be limited compared to the competition
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Superior gaming performance with Snapdragon 860
- Higher CPU clock speeds for demanding applications
- Likely better GPU performance for graphics-intensive tasks
- Slower 33W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both the Realme V15 5G and Poco X3 Pro 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 Poco X3 Pro’s focus on gaming, it’s likely to have a display tuned for lower latency, while the Realme V15 5G might prioritize color accuracy for media consumption. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Poco X3 Pro’s larger screen size (typically found in this series) could offer a more immersive gaming experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. The absence of information makes a direct comparison impossible. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s overall focus on performance, it’s reasonable to assume Xiaomi invested in a more capable camera system. The Realme V15 5G likely prioritizes a balanced camera experience, suitable for everyday photography. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this price bracket suggests both phones may include such a sensor, but its utility is questionable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) boasts a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, significantly higher than the Realme V15 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 800U’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, combined with its Adreno 640 GPU, will deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. While the Dimensity 800U is a capable chip, it’s positioned a tier below the Snapdragon 860. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 860 is known to generate more heat, potentially leading to throttling under sustained load, a factor the Poco X3 Pro’s cooling solution must address.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme V15 5G’s 50W wired charging is substantially faster, reaching 50% in 18 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes, compared to the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging (59% in 30 minutes, 100% in 59 minutes). This faster charging is a major advantage for the Realme V15 5G, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. While the Poco X3 Pro’s battery life is comparable, the slower charging speed may be a drawback for some users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme V15 5G if you need consistently fast charging and a balanced everyday experience. Its 50W charging capability, reaching 100% in 47 minutes, is ideal for users who frequently need to replenish their battery. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prefer uncompromising gaming performance and are willing to trade some charging speed for a more powerful processor. The Snapdragon 860 excels in demanding titles and offers a smoother experience for mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known to generate heat under sustained load. The Poco X3 Pro likely incorporates a cooling system to mitigate this, but some throttling is possible during extended gaming. Monitoring temperatures and adjusting graphics settings can help manage thermal performance.
❓ How much faster is the Realme V15 5G’s 50W charging in real-world use compared to the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W?
The Realme V15 5G’s 50W charging provides a noticeable advantage. Reaching 100% in 47 minutes versus 59 minutes for the Poco X3 Pro saves approximately 12 minutes per full charge. This difference is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the Dimensity 800U in the Realme V15 5G sufficient for playing popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 800U can handle PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve consistently smooth frame rates. The Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro will provide a superior gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates.
