The Xiaomi Poco M3 and Tecno Camon 17 Pro represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Poco M3 prioritizes a long-lasting battery and efficient processor, while the Camon 17 Pro focuses on faster charging and a more powerful chipset, making this a crucial comparison for value-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a stable experience, the Poco M3 emerges as the better choice. Its 154-hour endurance rating and efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset offer a more consistent experience, despite the Camon 17 Pro’s faster charging and slightly brighter display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 24 | 2021, May 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, November 27 | Available. Released 2021, June 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) | 168.9 x 77 x 9 mm (6.65 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 25W / 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cool Blue, Poco Yellow, Power Black | California Silver, Malibu Blue |
| Models | M2010J19CG, M2010J19CI | CG8, CG8h |
| Price | $ 130.00 / ₹ 11,590 | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 154h |
Endurance rating 140h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1567:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 781:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.5 LUFS (Good) |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 177904 (v8)
GeekBench: 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 309107 (v8)
GeekBench: 1668 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M3
- Exceptional battery life (154h endurance)
- Efficient Snapdragon 662 processor
- Higher contrast ratio for vibrant visuals
- Lower peak display brightness
- Slower charging speeds (18W)
Tecno Camon 17 Pro
- Faster charging (25W/33W)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- More powerful Helio G95 chipset for gaming
- Shorter battery life (140h endurance)
- Lower contrast ratio
- Potentially higher thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro boasts a brighter display at 538 nits compared to the Poco M3’s 439 nits, making it more visible outdoors. However, the Poco M3 counters with a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1567:1 versus the Camon 17 Pro’s 781:1, resulting in richer, more vibrant colors. While both displays are adequate for media consumption, the Poco M3’s superior contrast provides a more visually engaging experience, even if it’s not as bright. Neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, suggesting both likely utilize IPS LCDs, meaning viewing angles will be similar.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on multi-camera setups with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. The absence of sensor size information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the Camon 17 Pro’s focus on camera features in its marketing suggests a potentially more refined camera experience, though image quality will ultimately depend on software processing. We can assume both will struggle in low-light conditions without dedicated night modes.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 17 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) chipset offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Poco M3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The G95 features more powerful Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.05 GHz) compared to the Poco’s Kryo 260 Gold cores (4x2.0 GHz). This translates to better performance in graphically intensive tasks and gaming. However, the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency contributes to the Poco M3’s superior battery life. The G95’s 12nm process also suggests potentially higher thermal output under sustained load, potentially leading to throttling. The Poco M3’s 11nm process is more efficient.
Battery Life
The Poco M3’s endurance rating of 154 hours significantly surpasses the Camon 17 Pro’s 140 hours. This is a direct result of the Snapdragon 662’s power efficiency. While the Camon 17 Pro offers faster charging – 25W/33W versus the Poco M3’s 18W – the larger battery life of the Poco M3 means you’ll likely need to charge it less frequently. The 2.5W reverse wired charging on the Poco M3 is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories, while the Camon 17 Pro lacks this capability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 if you need exceptional battery life, a reliable processor for everyday tasks, and a phone that will comfortably last a full day (and then some) on a single charge. Buy the Tecno Camon 17 Pro if you prioritize faster charging speeds, occasionally play demanding mobile games, and value a slightly brighter screen, understanding that this comes at the cost of overall battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Camon 17 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is a capable chipset, but its 12nm process and higher clock speeds mean it's more prone to thermal throttling than the Poco M3’s Snapdragon 662. Expect performance to dip slightly after extended gaming, especially in warmer environments. The Poco M3 will maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ How long will it realistically take to fully charge the Poco M3 with the 18W charger?
While the Poco M3 supports 18W charging, it doesn't utilize the latest fast-charging protocols. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The Camon 17 Pro, with its 25W/33W charging, will be significantly faster, potentially reaching full charge in around 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The 100+ nit difference in peak brightness is most noticeable outdoors in direct sunlight. Indoors, or in shaded areas, the difference is less pronounced. The Poco M3’s higher contrast ratio helps compensate for the lower brightness, providing a more vibrant image overall.
