The iQOO Z3 and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver strong performance without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The iQOO Z3 prioritizes a balanced experience with 55W fast charging, while the Poco X3 Pro leans heavily into raw processing power with the Snapdragon 860. This comparison dissects their key differences 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 noticeable performance advantage in demanding tasks like gaming, offsetting the slightly slower 33W charging compared to the iQOO Z3. However, the iQOO Z3 remains a viable option for those prioritizing charging speed and a more streamlined software experience.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 25 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 01 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 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 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO (China) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 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, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 4400 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ace Black, Cyber Blue, Silver | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | V2073A | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 220 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 Z3
- Significantly faster 55W charging
- Potentially more streamlined software experience (vivo's Funtouch OS)
- Balanced performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful Snapdragon 768G chipset
- Gaming performance lags behind the Poco X3 Pro
- Missing detailed camera specifications
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Superior gaming performance
- Competitive endurance rating
- Slower 33W charging
- Software experience (MIUI) can be feature-rich but bloated
- Missing detailed camera specifications
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, panel type (IPS vs AMOLED), and refresh rate are missing. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs. The absence of information on PWM dimming rates makes it difficult to assess suitability for users sensitive to flicker. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this segment. Without further data, a clear display winner is difficult to determine.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture information, or details on image processing algorithms, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality. The Poco X3 Pro’s potential for 4K video recording, given the Snapdragon 860’s ISP capabilities, is a possible advantage, but this remains unconfirmed. We can assume both offer standard camera features for social media and casual photography.
Performance
The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) significantly outpaces the iQOO Z3’s Snapdragon 768G (7nm) in raw CPU and GPU power. The 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores clock at 2.96 GHz, compared to the 768G’s 2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and substantially better gaming performance. While both utilize 7nm fabrication, the 860’s architecture is a generation newer and more efficient. The iQOO Z3’s octa-core CPU is well-balanced, but it cannot match the 860’s peak performance. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM specification for either device makes it difficult to assess memory bandwidth, but both likely utilize LPDDR4X, common in this price bracket.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO Z3 and Poco X3 Pro boast an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The iQOO Z3’s 55W wired charging is significantly faster than the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W. The Poco X3 Pro reaches 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, while the iQOO Z3’s 55W charging likely achieves a full charge in under an hour. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The actual battery capacity (mAh) is unknown for both devices, but the faster charging of the iQOO Z3 partially mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z3 if you need exceptionally fast charging and a generally smooth, responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and value convenience. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize raw performance for gaming and resource-intensive applications. This phone is geared towards users who demand the most processing power for their money and are willing to trade off slightly slower charging for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 860 in the Poco X3 Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its strong performance, but it can generate heat under sustained load. The Poco X3 Pro's thermal management system is adequate for most gaming scenarios, but prolonged, high-intensity gaming may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. This is a common trade-off for maximizing performance in this price range.
❓ Is the 55W charging on the iQOO Z3 compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the iQOO Z3 supports 55W charging, it's crucial to use the included charger or a charger specifically supporting vivo's Flash Charge protocol to achieve the maximum charging speed. Standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers may charge the device at a slower rate.
❓ How does MIUI on the Poco X3 Pro compare to Funtouch OS on the iQOO Z3 in terms of bloatware and customization?
MIUI is generally known for being feature-rich but also includes a significant amount of pre-installed apps (bloatware). Funtouch OS, while improving, historically had a reputation for being more heavily customized and less intuitive. Both offer extensive customization options, but MIUI's sheer volume of features can be overwhelming for some users.
