The ZTE Blade 20 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both leverage Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets for 5G connectivity, they diverge significantly in processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 860 chipset delivers a substantial performance uplift over the Blade 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 765G, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. However, the Blade 20 Pro offers a more balanced package for everyday users.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 30. Released 2021, January 04 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 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 | 168 g (5.93 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)
2 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | - | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 350 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) |
ZTE Blade 20 Pro 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G provides adequate performance for everyday tasks
- Potentially more streamlined software experience (depending on ZTE's skin)
- Slower 18W charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Poco X3 Pro
- Missing display specifications hinder a full assessment
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 860 processor
- 33W fast charging for minimal downtime
- Likely 120Hz display for smoother visuals
- MIUI software can be resource-intensive and feature bloat
- Potentially more aggressive power consumption due to the higher-performance chipset
- Camera performance details are unknown
Display Comparison
Both devices share a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting similar visual pop. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness, panel type (IPS vs AMOLED), and refresh rate are missing for the Blade 20 Pro. The Poco X3 Pro’s 120Hz display, while not explicitly stated in the provided data, is a known feature, offering a smoother scrolling experience than the standard 60Hz typically found in this price bracket. Without further data on the Blade 20 Pro’s display, the Poco X3 Pro holds an advantage in perceived smoothness.
Camera Comparison
The provided data only indicates both phones have photo/video capabilities. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the Poco X3 Pro’s positioning as a gaming-focused device, it’s likely to prioritize image processing for vibrant, shareable photos. The Blade 20 Pro may lean towards a more natural color profile. The absence of details necessitates caution; a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to deliver significant photographic value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860, built on a 7nm process, boasts a significantly faster prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz compared to the ZTE Blade 20 Pro’s Snapdragon 765G’s 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime. The 860 also features a more powerful GPU, translating to superior gaming performance. While both utilize an octa-core configuration, the 860’s architecture (Kryo 485) is a generation ahead, offering improved efficiency and sustained performance. The Blade 20 Pro’s 765G is still capable, but will struggle with graphically intensive titles at higher settings.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 112 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W charging significantly outperforms the Blade 20 Pro’s 18W charging. The Poco X3 Pro can reach 59% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in under an hour, minimizing downtime. The Blade 20 Pro, with its slower charging, will require considerably longer to fully replenish its battery, impacting usability for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade 20 Pro 5G if you need a reliable 5G phone with decent performance for everyday tasks and value a more streamlined software experience. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro if you prioritize gaming, demanding apps, and significantly faster charging speeds, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 860 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 860 is known for its strong performance, but it can generate heat under sustained load. Xiaomi typically implements thermal management solutions, but performance throttling may occur during prolonged, graphically demanding games. The Blade 20 Pro’s 765G is less prone to overheating due to its lower power consumption.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the ZTE Blade 20 Pro sufficient for daily use?
While 18W charging isn’t slow, it’s considerably slower than the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W. Users who frequently deplete their battery and require quick top-ups will find the Blade 20 Pro’s charging speed limiting. Expect significantly longer charging times to reach 100%.
❓ Can the Poco X3 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
Yes, the Snapdragon 860 is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at high frame rates (60fps or higher). The GPU within the 860 provides the necessary graphical horsepower, and the phone likely supports frame rate customization within the game settings.
❓ What kind of software experience can I expect from each phone?
The ZTE Blade 20 Pro likely runs a relatively clean version of Android with ZTE’s custom skin, which is generally less intrusive than Xiaomi’s MIUI. The Poco X3 Pro runs MIUI, which is feature-rich but can include pre-installed apps (bloatware) and a more customized user interface.
