The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Samsung Galaxy M21s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver value, they take drastically different approaches. The M21s prioritizes a balance of features at a lower price point, while the X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers and performance enthusiasts with a flagship-level chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, crucial for gaming and demanding applications, and its 33W charging drastically reduces downtime. While the M21s offers a more affordable entry point, the X3 Pro’s performance advantage justifies the price difference.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2020, November 06. Released 2020, November 06 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | 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, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | SM-F415F, SM-F415F/DS | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 230 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Decent battery endurance for basic usage.
- Samsung’s One UI offers a familiar software experience.
- Exynos 9611 struggles with demanding games.
- Slow 15W charging.
- Likely utilizes a less advanced display panel.
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Snapdragon 860 delivers exceptional performance.
- 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- Higher price compared to the Galaxy M21s.
- May run warmer under sustained load.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI can be polarizing for some users.
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 for the M21s. Given its market positioning, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD, while the X3 Pro’s display benefits from the more powerful GPU driving smoother visuals. The absence of high refresh rate information for the M21s further highlights the X3 Pro’s advantage for gaming, where a smoother display is critical.
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 X3 Pro’s overall focus on performance, it’s reasonable to assume a more capable camera system. The M21s likely relies on software processing to enhance image quality, while the X3 Pro’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Snapdragon 860 can deliver better dynamic range and detail. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; these are often included for marketing purposes rather than genuine photographic benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy M21s’ Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, clocked up to 2.96 GHz, provide a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. More importantly, the Adreno 640 GPU in the X3 Pro vastly outperforms the Mali-G52 MP3 in the M21s, translating to a far superior gaming experience. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Exynos 9611, while capable, will struggle with demanding titles at higher settings.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. It can reach 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour, significantly reducing downtime. The M21s’ 15W charging is considerably slower, requiring much longer to fully replenish the battery. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21s if you need a reliable, all-rounder smartphone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, fast charging, and a smoother overall user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy M21s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning its performance will decrease to manage heat. While it won't necessarily become dangerously hot, you'll likely experience frame drops and stuttering in demanding games after a short period.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras often lack the resolution and optical quality to produce truly detailed close-up shots. They are primarily included as a marketing feature and typically deliver underwhelming results. Expect soft images with limited clarity.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro consistently maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro is capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings. You may even be able to push it to higher frame rates depending on your specific settings and the game's optimization.
❓ How does MIUI (Xiaomi's software) compare to Samsung's One UI in terms of bloatware and customization options?
MIUI is known for being more heavily customized and often includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than Samsung's One UI. However, MIUI also offers a wider range of customization options, allowing users to personalize the interface to a greater extent. One UI is generally considered cleaner and more streamlined.
