vivo Y51a vs. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: A Detailed Comparison for Budget-Conscious Users

The vivo Y51a and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Y51a focuses on a streamlined experience with a dependable chipset, while the Poco X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers with a significantly more powerful processor. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing everyday tasks and moderate gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset delivers substantially higher performance, and the 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime, despite both phones offering similar battery endurance ratings.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y51a Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India
Launch
Announced2021, January 082021, March 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 23Available. Released 2021, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back
Dimensions163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 640
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 12, Funtouch 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-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
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, 70% in 67 min33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsTitanium Sapphire, Crystal SymphonyPhantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze
ModelsV2031M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI
PriceAbout 200 EUR$ 128.04 / £ 249.99
SAR0.87 W/kg (head)     0.39 W/kg (body)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 Y51a

  • Potentially more streamlined software experience.
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks.
  • Lower price point (likely).

  • Significantly weaker performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
  • Slower charging speeds.
  • Limited gaming capabilities.

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Superior performance with the Snapdragon 860.
  • Faster 33W charging.
  • Better suited for gaming and demanding applications.

  • Potentially more aggressive software with bloatware.
  • May run warmer under heavy load.
  • Slightly higher price point.

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 for the Y51a. The Poco X3 Pro, while not boasting cutting-edge display technology, benefits from a larger screen size (typically 6.67 inches) common in this price bracket, offering a more immersive viewing experience. Without further data on the Y51a’s panel, the Poco X3 Pro likely offers a more vibrant and detailed visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning as a gaming phone, it’s reasonable to assume a more capable camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Y51a likely features a more basic camera setup geared towards casual photography. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility in this area; focusing on the primary sensor’s quality is more important.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y51a’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 860 features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold core, alongside three additional Gold cores clocked at 2.42 GHz, providing a significant boost in single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a far superior gaming experience. The Snapdragon 662, while adequate for everyday tasks, will struggle with demanding games and resource-intensive applications. The 7nm process node of the 860 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Poco X3 Pro’s 33W wired charging can reach 59% in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour, while the Y51a’s 18W charging takes over 67 minutes to reach 70%. This faster charging capability on the Poco X3 Pro is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y51a if you need a reliable smartphone for basic communication, social media, and light tasks, and value a simple, uncluttered user experience. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming performance, demand faster charging speeds, and are comfortable with a more feature-rich (and potentially software-heavy) experience.

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 for being relatively efficient. The Poco X3 Pro incorporates thermal management features, but sustained high-intensity gaming may lead to some warming. However, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling compared to less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo Y51a slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, the 18W charging is considerably slower than the Poco X3 Pro's 33W charging. If you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your battery, the Y51a's slower charging speed will be a noticeable drawback.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 860 is more than capable of running PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings and frame rates. Users can expect a smooth and responsive gaming experience with minimal lag.
❓ Does the vivo Y51a have a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, vivo phones in this segment typically include a dedicated microSD card slot. This allows users to expand the storage capacity beyond the internal memory, which is a useful feature for storing photos, videos, and other files.