The Tecno Camon 18i and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Camon 18i focuses on providing a solid all-around experience at a very competitive price, while the Poco X3 Pro prioritizes raw performance, particularly for gaming, at a slightly higher cost. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing everyday tasks and battery life, the Tecno Camon 18i offers excellent value. However, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner for gamers and power users who demand significantly higher processing power, thanks to its Snapdragon 860 chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2021, November 01 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.01 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 | - | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~271 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 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 MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | 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/2.0 | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | 18W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Sea, Frost Silver, Tranquil Green | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | CG6 | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 150 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) |
Tecno Camon 18i
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset
- Good value for basic smartphone use
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower quality camera system
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 860
- Faster 33W charging
- Likely better camera quality
- Higher price tag
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life due to more powerful processor
- May run warmer under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like brightness (nits) and panel type are missing for the Camon 18i. Given its price point, it likely utilizes an IPS LCD, while the Poco X3 Pro’s display benefits from a higher refresh rate (typically 120Hz, though not specified in the data) for smoother scrolling and gaming. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means they won't dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the Poco X3 Pro, being a higher-tier device, likely features a more capable main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. It's reasonable to assume the Camon 18i's camera will be adequate for casual photography, but the Poco X3 Pro will likely offer superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Tecno Camon 18i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 cores, with a prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, deliver substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio G85, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with demanding games and multitasking compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging (0-59% in 30 mins, 100% in 59 mins) is significantly faster than the Tecno Camon 18i’s 18W charging. This faster charging capability is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. While both have similar endurance, the Poco X3 Pro minimizes downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 18i if you need a reliable daily driver for social media, browsing, and light tasks, and value long battery life and affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize mobile gaming, demanding applications, and are willing to spend a bit more for a substantial performance boost and faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, it's known to manage thermals reasonably well. However, sustained gaming at maximum settings *may* lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. The Poco X3 Pro's cooling system (details not provided) will play a crucial role in mitigating this.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Tecno Camon 18i slow compared to other phones?
18W charging is considered relatively slow by today's standards, especially compared to the Poco X3 Pro's 33W. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the Camon 18i. However, if you typically charge your phone overnight, the slower charging speed may not be a major inconvenience.
❓ Can the Tecno Camon 18i handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Tecno Camon 18i's Helio G85 can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect some stuttering or lag during intense gameplay compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming?
The Poco X3 Pro typically features a 120Hz display (though not explicitly stated in the provided data). This allows for smoother visuals and a more responsive gaming experience in supported games. However, not all games support high refresh rates, and enabling it may impact battery life.
