The Realme X7 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag, but they achieve this through different approaches. The X7 leverages MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U, prioritizing a balanced experience, while the Poco X3 Pro opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 860, heavily emphasizing raw processing power. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw gaming performance and sustained frame rates, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance advantage. However, the Realme X7’s 65W charging is a game-changer, offering significantly faster top-ups, making it ideal for users constantly on the move.
| 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, 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 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 | 2020, September 01. Released 2020, September 08 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.32 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 | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | 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 | AMOLED | 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 | 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)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 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 (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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 | 65W wired, 100% in 33 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Rainbow | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | RMX2176 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 330 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 X7
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially better color calibration (based on Realme's reputation)
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 860
- Limited performance headroom for demanding games
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Superior gaming performance with Snapdragon 860
- Strong CPU performance for multitasking
- Competitive endurance rating
- Slower 33W charging
- Potentially less optimized for general use cases
Display Comparison
Both the Realme X7 and Poco X3 Pro share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the Poco X3 Pro’s focus on gaming, it’s likely to have a display tuned for lower latency and potentially higher refresh rates (though not specified). The Realme X7, while lacking specific display details, benefits from Realme’s generally good color calibration. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Poco X3 Pro’s gaming focus hints at potential display optimizations.
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 plausible it might prioritize faster image processing. The Realme X7, aligning with Realme’s marketing, may emphasize AI scene detection and image enhancement. Without concrete sensor details, judging camera quality relies on real-world testing, which is beyond the scope of this data-driven comparison.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) boasts a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, alongside three additional performance cores at 2.42 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.78 GHz. This configuration provides a substantial performance uplift compared to the Realme X7’s Dimensity 800U (7nm) with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Snapdragon 860’s architecture is geared towards sustained performance, crucial for gaming. While the Dimensity 800U is capable, it’s designed for a more balanced power profile. The Poco X3 Pro will demonstrably outperform the X7 in CPU-intensive tasks and graphically demanding games.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Realme X7’s 65W wired charging can reach 100% in just 33 minutes, a significant advantage over the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging, which takes 59 minutes for a full charge. While the Poco X3 Pro’s battery life is comparable, the X7’s charging speed provides a far more convenient user experience, especially for those who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Poco X3 Pro reaches 59% charge in 30 minutes, still slower than the X7's full charge in the same timeframe.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X7 if you need exceptionally fast charging and a balanced smartphone experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It’s the better choice for users who value convenience and quick power-ups. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize maximum gaming performance and are willing to trade off charging speed for a more powerful processor. This phone is geared towards enthusiasts who demand the highest frame rates and responsiveness in demanding mobile titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its efficient thermal management, especially compared to earlier Snapdragon 8xx series chips. While some heat generation is inevitable during extended gaming, the Poco X3 Pro incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate throttling and maintain consistent performance. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Realme X7 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
The Realme X7 utilizes Realme’s proprietary SuperDart Charge protocol for its 65W charging. While it may work with some PD chargers, it’s unlikely to achieve the full 65W charging speed. Using the included charger is recommended for optimal charging performance.
❓ Does the Dimensity 800U in the Realme X7 support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the MediaTek Dimensity 800U is a 5G-enabled chipset, meaning the Realme X7 supports both Sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G networks, depending on regional availability. This allows for faster download and upload speeds where 5G infrastructure is present.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Xiaomi's MIUI on these devices?
Realme UI is generally considered to be closer to stock Android, offering a cleaner and more streamlined experience. MIUI, on the other hand, is heavily customized with numerous features and pre-installed apps. User preference plays a significant role here; some appreciate MIUI’s extensive customization options, while others prefer Realme UI’s simplicity.
