Poco M3 Pro vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing camera quality and software experience, the Google Pixel 5a 5G is the better choice. However, the Poco M3 Pro offers a compelling value proposition for those focused on maximizing performance within a tight budget, particularly for gaming and general multitasking.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 19 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue | Mostly Black |
| Models | - | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | - | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 122h |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro
- Potentially higher raw performance for the price.
- 5G connectivity at a budget price point.
- 18W fast charging.
- Less refined software experience.
- Camera quality likely inferior to the Pixel 5a 5G.
- Display specifications are less detailed.
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera quality and image processing.
- Bright and vibrant display with high contrast.
- Clean and consistently updated software experience.
- Performance may be slightly lower than the Poco M3 Pro in some scenarios.
- 18W charging is relatively slow compared to some competitors.
- Higher price point than the Poco M3 Pro.
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 861 nits, compared to the Poco M3 Pro’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While both feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Pixel 5a’s higher brightness is a clear advantage. The Poco M3 Pro’s display specifications are less detailed, leaving questions about color accuracy and panel technology unanswered, while the Pixel 5a offers a more refined viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 5a 5G’s camera system is a key differentiator. While specific sensor sizes aren’t provided, Google’s computational photography prowess is well-known. The Pixel 5a excels in image processing, delivering consistently high-quality photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Poco M3 Pro’s camera specifications are less detailed, and its image processing is unlikely to match the Pixel 5a’s sophistication. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Poco M3 Pro is a notable disadvantage, potentially leading to blurrier photos and videos in low light.
Performance
Both devices utilize 7nm process nodes, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 5a 5G features a more sophisticated CPU architecture with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, alongside a 2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core, and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores. This contrasts with the Poco M3 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, which employs a dual-cluster configuration of 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 765G’s architecture suggests a performance edge in single-core tasks and sustained workloads. The Pixel 5a 5G’s GPU is also likely to offer better graphics performance, though both phones are capable of handling most mainstream mobile games.
Battery Life
Both the Poco M3 Pro and Pixel 5a 5G share an endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Pixel 5a 5G supports PD2.0 charging, offering potentially faster and more efficient charging compared to the Poco M3 Pro’s standard 18W wired charging. While both charge at 18W, the Pixel 5a’s PD2.0 support could result in slightly quicker 0-100% charge times, and better compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro if you need a phone primarily for gaming and everyday tasks, and value raw processing power and a potentially smoother experience in demanding applications. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize camera quality, a clean and consistently updated software experience, and a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions.