The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and vivo iQOO U3 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a strong user experience, they take different approaches. The Poco X3 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 860 for raw power, while the iQOO U3 opts for MediaTek’s Dimensity 800U, prioritizing efficiency. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, particularly in gaming, and the 33W fast charging is a substantial benefit over the iQOO U3’s 18W charging. While the iQOO U3 is a capable device, the Poco X3 Pro offers more power for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 14. Released 2020, December 18 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 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 | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 460 nits (typ) | 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, IQOO UI 1.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 1.3 MP | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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 |
|---|
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, IM | - |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-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 |
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gray, Aurora | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | V2061A | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 200 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) |
vivo iQOO U3
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Efficient Dimensity 800U chipset
- Competitive endurance rating
- Slower 18W charging
- Less powerful CPU/GPU compared to Snapdragon 860
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset for gaming
- Fast 33W wired charging
- Excellent performance-to-price ratio
- Potentially lower battery efficiency due to higher power draw
- 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, color gamut coverage, and panel type are missing. Given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning, it likely features a higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Poco X3 Pro’s market segment suggests a more robust display 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 Xiaomi’s history of incorporating larger sensors in their Poco line, the X3 Pro likely has an advantage in low-light photography. The iQOO U3 may focus more on software-based image enhancement, but without concrete data, this remains speculative. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
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 significantly outperforms the iQOO U3’s Dimensity 800U (7nm) with its 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Snapdragon 860’s superior CPU and GPU translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The iQOO U3’s Dimensity 800U is still capable, but will struggle with demanding titles at higher settings. The Snapdragon 860’s Adreno 640 GPU is a substantial upgrade over the Mali-G57 MC3 in the Dimensity 800U.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve 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, achieving 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes. The iQOO U3’s 18W charging is considerably slower. While both have similar battery capacity (unspecified), the faster charging of the Poco X3 Pro provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U3 if you prioritize a more balanced approach to power and efficiency, and are less concerned with pushing the absolute limits of mobile gaming. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you’re a mobile gamer or power user who demands maximum performance and faster charging speeds, even if it means slightly reduced battery efficiency.
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 unspecified) will play a crucial role in mitigating this. Expect slightly reduced frame rates after extended play, but generally a smooth experience.
❓ Is the Dimensity 800U in the iQOO U3 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’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. It won’t deliver the same level of performance or visual fidelity as the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro, especially at higher settings.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming?
The Poco X3 Pro features a 120Hz display, which can significantly enhance the gaming experience in supported titles. However, not all games natively support 120Hz. You may need to enable it within the game settings if available, or use a Game Booster app to force a higher refresh rate (results may vary).
