The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Note 9 Pro Max prioritizes a well-rounded experience with a focus on camera versatility, while the Poco X3 Pro aggressively targets gamers with a flagship-level processor at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a significant performance uplift, particularly in gaming, and the 33W charging is slightly faster. While the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max offers a solid all-around package, the Poco X3 Pro’s raw power justifies its slight compromises.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 12. Released 2020, May 12 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.52 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | 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 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 | 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | - | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 30 min | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5020 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | M2003J6B1I | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | 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 Note 9 Pro Max
- Well-rounded feature set
- Potentially better camera detail (based on 64MP sensor)
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor compared to Poco X3 Pro
- Slower charging speed
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Faster 33W charging
- Ideal for gaming and demanding applications
- Potentially less refined camera processing
- Higher power consumption
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 Poco X3 Pro’s gaming focus, it’s likely to have a higher refresh rate (a common feature in gaming phones) which isn’t mentioned for the Note 9 Pro Max. This would translate to smoother animations and a more responsive feel. Without further data, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy, but both likely target the sRGB color space for accurate representation.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is known for its 64MP main sensor, which likely offers more detail and flexibility in well-lit conditions compared to a potentially smaller sensor on the Poco X3 Pro. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s image processing algorithms might prioritize different aesthetics. Without sensor size and aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The absence of mention of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 860 features a Kryo 485 core clocked at 2.96 GHz, significantly exceeding the 720G’s 2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold core. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding applications and games. The 860’s architecture also includes more powerful Adreno GPU, further enhancing gaming capabilities. While the 8nm process of the 720G is theoretically more efficient, the 860’s raw power will likely offset this in most scenarios. The Poco X3 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x2.96 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) also indicates a more aggressive performance profile than the Note 9 Pro Max’s (2x2.3 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz).
Battery Life
Both devices boast a 112-hour endurance rating, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging is slightly faster, reaching 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes, compared to the Note 9 Pro Max’s 50% in 30 minutes. This faster charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The actual battery capacity (mAh) is not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but the Poco X3 Pro’s more powerful processor likely consumes more power, potentially negating any capacity advantage the Note 9 Pro Max might have.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max if you prioritize a balanced experience with a focus on camera features and consistent, reliable performance for everyday tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you are a mobile gamer or power user who demands the highest possible performance within a budget, and are willing to accept potentially slightly less refined camera processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its efficient thermal management. While it will generate heat under heavy load, Xiaomi likely implemented thermal throttling mechanisms to prevent overheating and maintain stable performance. However, sustained peak performance may be limited by thermal constraints.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max's camera significantly better than the Poco X3 Pro's in low-light conditions?
Without detailed camera specs for the Poco X3 Pro, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max's larger 64MP sensor *potentially* captures more light, leading to brighter and more detailed low-light photos. Image processing algorithms also play a crucial role, and the Poco X3 Pro might employ software enhancements to compensate for a smaller sensor.
❓ Does the Poco X3 Pro support high refresh rate gaming, like 90fps in PUBG Mobile?
The Poco X3 Pro is widely reported to support 120Hz refresh rates, and is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher) depending on the graphics settings. Achieving 90fps consistently will depend on the game's optimization and the device's thermal performance.
