The Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming and Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the mid-range gaming smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank, they achieve this through different approaches – the K40 Gaming with MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200 and the X3 Pro leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 860. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing raw gaming performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 67W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Poco X3 Pro remains a strong contender for those seeking a balanced experience at a potentially 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, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 30 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.33 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Physical pop-up gaming triggers
IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 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 1200 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-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/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR | 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, 720p@120fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by JBL | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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/6, 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, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 42 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5065 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Silver, Bruce Lee Yellow | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | M2012K10C, M2104K10AC | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 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 Redmi K40 Gaming
- Superior gaming performance with Dimensity 1200
- Significantly faster 67W charging
- Likely better display quality
- Potentially higher price
- May run slightly warmer under sustained load
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Good battery endurance
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- Slower Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Slower 33W charging
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and panel type are missing. Given the K40 Gaming’s positioning, it likely features a higher quality panel with potentially better color accuracy and peak brightness, crucial for HDR content. The X3 Pro, while adequate, likely prioritizes cost savings in this area. Bezels are assumed to be comparable based on typical Xiaomi designs.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the K40 Gaming’s higher overall positioning, it likely incorporates a more advanced camera system with a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The X3 Pro’s camera is likely geared towards providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but may struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi K40 Gaming’s MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture than the Poco X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm). The Dimensity 1200’s Cortex-A78 cores, clocked up to 3.0 GHz, offer a performance advantage over the Snapdragon 860’s Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.96 GHz). While the Snapdragon 860 is a capable chip, the Dimensity 1200’s superior architecture and 6nm process translate to better sustained performance and thermal efficiency. This means less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The K40 Gaming likely benefits from faster RAM speeds (LPDDR5 vs potentially LPDDR4X on the X3 Pro, though not specified).
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The K40 Gaming’s 67W wired charging is substantially faster than the X3 Pro’s 33W charging – 42 minutes to 100% versus 59 minutes. This faster charging is a major advantage for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between sessions. While the X3 Pro’s endurance is comparable, the K40 Gaming’s charging speed mitigates any potential battery life concerns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming if you need uncompromising gaming performance, faster charging speeds, and are willing to potentially spend a bit more. This phone is ideal for users who frequently play demanding titles and value minimal lag. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prefer a more budget-friendly option with solid performance for everyday tasks and less intensive gaming, and if battery endurance is a key concern, despite the slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 1200 in the K40 Gaming get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 860 in the X3 Pro during prolonged gaming?
While the Dimensity 1200 is more powerful, the 6nm process helps mitigate heat. However, it's likely to run slightly warmer than the Snapdragon 860 under sustained, heavy load. Xiaomi likely implemented thermal management solutions in both devices, but the K40 Gaming's more powerful chipset will generate more heat overall.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco X3 Pro slow enough to be a significant inconvenience for gamers?
Yes, the 33W charging is considerably slower than the K40 Gaming’s 67W charging. Taking nearly an hour to fully charge can be frustrating for gamers who want to quickly get back into a session. The K40 Gaming’s faster charging is a key advantage for minimizing downtime.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings?
The Snapdragon 860 can run these games, but you may need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect medium to high settings with occasional frame drops. The K40 Gaming, with its Dimensity 1200, will provide a smoother experience at higher settings.
❓ Are there any significant differences in software experience between the two devices?
Both devices run Xiaomi's MIUI, so the core software experience is similar. However, the K40 Gaming, being a more premium device, may receive software updates slightly faster and potentially include exclusive features tailored to gaming.
