The Tecno Pova 2 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a lot for the money, they take distinctly different approaches. The Pova 2 prioritizes long-lasting battery life and affordability, while the Poco X3 Pro focuses on delivering near-flagship performance thanks to its Snapdragon 860 chipset. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 offers a significant leap over the Tecno Pova 2’s Helio G85. However, if battery life and a lower price point are paramount, the Tecno Pova 2 presents a viable alternative.
| 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, June 03 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.3 x 78.8 x 9.6 mm (6.82 x 3.10 x 0.38 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 | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits | 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 | 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 |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | 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 | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 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 | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar Silver, Power Blue, Dazzle Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | LE7, LE7n | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 140 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 Pova 2
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on usage)
- May be more readily available in certain markets
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely less refined camera system
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 860
- Faster 33W charging
- Likely better camera performance
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Pova 2
- May run slightly 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 peak brightness and panel type are missing for the Tecno Pova 2. The Poco X3 Pro’s display, while not explicitly detailed beyond the contrast ratio, benefits from the processing power of its chipset to drive smoother visuals. Without knowing the Pova 2’s refresh rate, the X3 Pro likely offers a more fluid experience, assuming it supports a higher refresh rate (common for this chipset).
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. The lack of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system with better image processing algorithms. The Tecno Pova 2 likely focuses on providing adequate camera performance for social media sharing, while the Poco X3 Pro aims for more detailed and versatile photography. We can assume the Poco X3 Pro will have better low-light performance due to its more powerful ISP.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Tecno Pova 2’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores, clocked up to 2.96 GHz, deliver significantly faster processing speeds and superior GPU performance. The Helio G85, while capable, is geared towards efficiency rather than outright power. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a far more enjoyable gaming experience on the Poco X3 Pro. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life *under similar usage conditions*. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging (59% in 30 minutes, 100% in 59 minutes) is significantly faster than the Tecno Pova 2’s 18W charging. This means the Poco X3 Pro can be quickly topped up when needed, mitigating any potential battery life concerns. While the Pova 2 might offer slightly longer runtimes in certain scenarios, the X3 Pro’s faster charging provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova 2 if you need a phone that can reliably last a full day (and potentially longer) on a single charge, and if your primary use cases are social media, browsing, and light gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer who demands high frame rates and smooth performance in demanding titles, and are willing to compromise slightly on battery endurance for that power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 860 is a powerful chip, it's also relatively efficient thanks to its 7nm process. The Poco X3 Pro incorporates thermal management solutions, but some warmth is expected during extended gaming. However, it's less prone to severe throttling compared to older, less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Tecno Pova 2 slow compared to the Poco X3 Pro's 33W?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than 33W. The Poco X3 Pro can reach 100% charge in under an hour, while the Tecno Pova 2 will take significantly longer. This difference is most noticeable when you need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Can the Tecno Pova 2 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Tecno Pova 2 can *run* these games, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Helio G85 isn't designed for maximum performance in demanding titles, so expect compromises in visual fidelity.
❓ What kind of storage does the Poco X3 Pro use, and is it expandable?
The Poco X3 Pro typically comes with UFS 3.1 storage, which is significantly faster than the eMMC storage often found in budget phones. This results in quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. It also supports expandable storage via microSD card.
