The Xiaomi Poco X3 and Samsung Galaxy M52 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Poco X3 emphasizes gaming performance and aggressive pricing, while the M52 5G focuses on a vibrant display and future-proof 5G connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a brighter, more visually engaging experience and 5G access, the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is the better choice. However, gamers on a tight budget will find the Poco X3’s Snapdragon 732G and 120Hz display a more compelling value proposition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 22 | 2021, September 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, September 29 | Available. Released 2021, October 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 10.1 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.40 in) | 164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 225 g (7.94 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7um, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cobalt Blue, Shadow Gray | Icy Blue, Blazing Black, White |
| Models | MZB07Z0IN, MZB07Z1IN, MZB07Z2IN, MZB07Z3IN, MZB07Z4IN, MZB9965IN, M2007J20CI | SM-M526BR, SM-M526BR/DS, SM-M526B, SM-M526B/DS |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | 0.75 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 504424 (v9)
GeekBench: 2796 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco X3
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups.
- 120Hz display for smoother visuals in games and scrolling.
- Aggressive pricing offers excellent value for money.
- Less powerful Snapdragon 732G chipset compared to the M52 5G.
- Display likely lacks the brightness and color accuracy of the M52 5G.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset for superior performance.
- Brighter 777 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility.
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- Slower 25W charging compared to the Poco X3.
- Potentially higher price point than the Poco X3.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 777 nits, compared to the Poco X3’s unspecified peak brightness. This difference translates to superior outdoor visibility for the M52 5G. While the Poco X3 features a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming, the M52 5G’s panel benefits from an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The lack of information on the Poco X3’s panel technology (LCD vs AMOLED) puts it at a disadvantage against the likely AMOLED panel of the M52 5G, impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s image signal processor (ISP) in the M52 5G is more advanced, enabling superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of specific camera specs on both phones makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the M52 5G’s more powerful chipset suggests a more capable camera system overall. The Poco X3’s camera is likely tuned for vibrant, social media-friendly images, while the M52 5G may aim for more natural color reproduction.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Poco X3’s Snapdragon 732G (8nm). The 778G’s Cortex-A78 prime core, clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers significantly improved single-core performance, crucial for responsive app loading and general usability. The 778G’s more efficient 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Poco X3’s Kryo 470 Gold cores are adequate for everyday tasks, the M52 5G’s chipset provides a noticeable performance boost for demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
Both the Poco X3 and Samsung Galaxy M52 5G achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, their charging speeds differ. The Poco X3 supports 33W wired charging, potentially offering faster top-ups than the M52 5G’s 25W charging. Despite the lower charging wattage, the M52 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset could offset this difference, resulting in comparable real-world charging times. The Poco X3’s faster charging is beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 if you need a dedicated gaming phone on a strict budget, prioritizing raw performance and a high refresh rate display over camera quality and 5G. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G if you prefer a brighter, more versatile display for media consumption, require 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and value a more balanced overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the M52 5G get noticeably warmer than the 732G in the Poco X3 during prolonged gaming?
While both chipsets can generate heat, the Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process is more efficient than the 732G’s 8nm process. This means the M52 5G is likely to maintain higher sustained performance for longer periods before thermal throttling kicks in, resulting in a smoother gaming experience overall.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the M52 5G actually useful if I don't live in an area with widespread 5G coverage?
Even without ubiquitous 5G, the M52 5G’s modem supports 4G LTE, and often offers improved 4G performance compared to older modems. The 5G capability future-proofs the device for when 5G infrastructure expands in your area, providing a longer usable lifespan.
❓ How does the Poco X3's 120Hz display impact battery life compared to the M52 5G's display?
The 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco X3 will consume more power than a standard 60Hz display. However, both phones have similar endurance ratings, suggesting that the M52 5G’s more efficient chipset and potentially optimized software compensate for the higher refresh rate’s power draw.
