The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. Two popular contenders are the Poco M4 Pro and the Poco X3 Pro. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X3 Pro takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset, offering a smoother and faster experience. While the M4 Pro boasts slightly better battery endurance, the X3 Pro's performance advantage makes it the better overall pick for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 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, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 28 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 16 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 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 | 179.5 g (6.31 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 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 MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED 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 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Cool Blue, Poco Yellow | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | MZB0B5VIN, 2201117PI, 2201117PG | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | € 100.18 | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
|
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 318444 (v9)
GeekBench: 1836 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
- Excellent battery life
- Bright display
- Fast charging
- Stylish design
- Less powerful processor
- Camera performance can be inconsistent
- No 5G connectivity
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Smooth performance
- Fast charging
- Good value for money
- Slightly shorter battery life than M4 Pro
- Design is less premium
- No 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar 6.67-inch display, but the M4 Pro's measured 737 nits peak brightness gives it a slight edge in outdoor visibility. While both have a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, the M4 Pro's higher brightness contributes to a more vibrant viewing experience. Both use AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two. Both offer versatile camera setups, but image quality is largely dependent on lighting conditions. The M4 Pro might have a slight edge in certain scenarios due to its newer image processing algorithms, but the difference is not substantial. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.
Performance
This is where the X3 Pro truly shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chipset is a significant upgrade over the M4 Pro's Mediatek Helio G96. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the X3 Pro. The X3 Pro's 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency despite the higher performance.
Battery Life
The Poco M4 Pro edges out the X3 Pro in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours compared to the X3 Pro's 112 hours. However, the X3 Pro's faster charging (59% in 30 minutes) partially compensates for this difference. Both support 33W wired charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro? It's ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a bright display on a tight budget. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro? Gamers and power users who need a snappy processor for demanding apps and games will appreciate the X3 Pro's superior performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco X3 Pro still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, the Poco X3 Pro remains a compelling option, especially if you prioritize performance. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset still holds up well against newer mid-range phones.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner for gaming due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 processor.
❓ Does either phone support 5G?
No, neither the Poco M4 Pro nor the Poco X3 Pro support 5G connectivity.
