Poco M3 vs. Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC: A Deep Dive into Budget Champions

The Xiaomi Poco M3 and Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver value, they take different approaches: the Poco M3 prioritizes endurance and a surprisingly robust build, while the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC focuses on faster charging and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a reliable experience, the Poco M3 emerges as the winner. Its 154-hour endurance rating and solid build quality outweigh the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s faster charging, especially considering the Snapdragon 662’s efficient power consumption.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco M3 Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28
Launch
Announced2020, November 242021, May 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, November 27Available. Released 2021, June 07
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in)172.8 x 78.3 x 7.8 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 10, MIUI 12Android 11, XOS 7.6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1 - 64GB UFS 2.2 - 128GBUFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome) Auxiliary lens
Single-16 MP, (wide)
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama-
Single8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.09"
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
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, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired 2.5W reverse wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCool Blue, Poco Yellow, Power BlackBlack, Purple, Nordic Secret
ModelsM2010J19CG, M2010J19CIX695C
Price$ 130.00 / ₹ 11,590-
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.60 W/kg (head)     0.81 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 154h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1567:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.5 LUFS (Good)-
Performance AnTuTu: 177904 (v8) GeekBench: 1398 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi Poco M3

  • Exceptional battery life (154h endurance)
  • Efficient Snapdragon 662 processor
  • Durable build quality

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Display lacks vibrancy compared to AMOLED

Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC

  • Faster 33W charging
  • More powerful MediaTek Helio G95 processor
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Less efficient processor (12nm)
  • Likely shorter battery life compared to Poco M3

Display Comparison

The Poco M3 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 439 nits and a 1567:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this is a fairly standard LCD panel. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers similar brightness levels. The Poco M3’s contrast ratio suggests decent black levels for an LCD, but users seeking vibrant colors and deep blacks may find both displays lacking compared to AMOLED alternatives. Neither manufacturer specifies refresh rates, suggesting both operate at the standard 60Hz.

Camera Comparison

Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget-friendly sensors. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s brand positioning suggests a slightly greater emphasis on camera features, but without concrete specs, this remains speculative. Users should temper expectations regarding low-light performance and image detail on both devices.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M3 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), an efficient processor built on an 11nm process. This translates to good power efficiency, contributing to its excellent battery life. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC, however, boasts the MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). While the G95 is built on a slightly less efficient 12nm process, its CPU configuration – 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – offers a performance edge over the Poco M3’s Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver), particularly in graphics-intensive tasks. This makes the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC the better choice for mobile gamers, though thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions due to the less efficient node.

Battery Life

The Poco M3 shines with an impressive 154-hour endurance rating. This is a testament to the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency and likely a larger battery capacity (though not specified). The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC compensates with 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the Poco M3’s 18W charging. This means the Infinix can replenish its battery much quicker, but the Poco M3’s longer endurance means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The Poco M3 also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 if you need exceptional battery life, a durable device, and prioritize a stable, well-optimized software experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC if you prefer faster 33W charging, a slightly more powerful processor for gaming, and are comfortable with potentially more software customization and updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G95 in the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is a capable gaming chip, but its 12nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process. While it offers higher peak performance, it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming. Expect some performance dips after 30-45 minutes of demanding gameplay.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Poco M3 with the 18W charger?
While the Poco M3 supports 18W charging, the included charger may be lower wattage. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s 33W charging will significantly reduce this time, potentially to around 1 hour.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, it indicates that neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department. Both likely utilize budget sensors and image processing. Don't expect flagship-level image quality, especially in low-light conditions.