Xiaomi's Poco sub-brand has consistently disrupted the budget and mid-range smartphone markets. The Poco X3 Pro and M3 Pro represent two distinct approaches: the X3 Pro prioritizes raw performance with a flagship-adjacent chipset, while the M3 Pro focuses on efficiency and affordability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which Poco best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset and faster 33W charging. However, the Poco M3 Pro remains a compelling option for everyday users seeking a reliable and efficient device at a lower price point.
| 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, 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, May 19 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 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 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone 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 | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | 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 |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 18W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | - | $ 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) |
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Faster 33W charging
- Likely better gaming performance
- Potentially higher price
- May generate more heat under sustained load
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- More affordable price
- Efficient Dimensity 700 chipset
- Good battery endurance
- Slower 18W charging
- Less powerful for gaming and demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Both the Poco X3 Pro and M3 Pro share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and refresh rate are missing for the M3 Pro. The X3 Pro's display, while not explicitly detailed beyond contrast, benefits from the chipset's ability to drive higher refresh rates for smoother scrolling and gaming. Without further data on the M3 Pro's panel, the X3 Pro likely offers a more visually engaging experience, especially for multimedia consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the X3 Pro's positioning as a performance-focused device, it's reasonable to assume it benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 860, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of details suggests neither phone will compete with flagship camera systems, but the X3 Pro likely has an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro's Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a significant upgrade over the Poco M3 Pro's MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 860 features a 1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold core, alongside three additional Gold cores, and four Silver cores, providing a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Dimensity 700's 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores are capable, but fall short of the Snapdragon's sustained performance. This translates to smoother gameplay, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the X3 Pro. The X3 Pro's GPU will also deliver a far superior gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Poco X3 Pro boasts 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, a significant advantage over the M3 Pro's slower 18W charging. This faster charging speed mitigates any potential battery life differences, making the X3 Pro more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro if you need a dependable daily driver for browsing, social media, and light tasks, and value battery life and affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you're a mobile gamer, frequently multitask, or require faster charging speeds and are willing to spend a bit more for a substantial performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its performance, but can generate heat under sustained load. While the Poco X3 Pro includes thermal management features, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. However, it will still outperform the M3 Pro significantly in these scenarios.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Poco M3 Pro slow compared to other phones?
18W charging is relatively slow by today's standards, but it's adequate for overnight charging or topping up the battery when not in urgent need. The Poco X3 Pro's 33W charging is a substantial improvement, offering a much faster charging experience.
❓ Can the Poco M3 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Poco M3 Pro can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth and consistent frame rate. The Dimensity 700 is capable, but the Snapdragon 860 in the X3 Pro will provide a far superior gaming experience with higher settings and more stable performance.
