Xiaomi Poco M3 vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 27, 2020 September 24, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 120.44 cm³ 80.77 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 2.99 "/g
Weight 198 g 204 g
Height 162.3 mm 146.7 mm
Width 77.3 mm 71.5 mm
Thickness 9.6 mm 7.7 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cool Blue
  • Poco Yellow
  • Power Black
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Sierra Blue
  • Alpine Green

Display

Screen Size 6.53 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1170 x 2532
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.4 % 87.1 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 140.71 mAh/in² 83.18 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.82 mAh/cm³ 38.32 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh 3095 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
GPU Adreno 610 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG Lightning 2.0

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 10 15
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Physical Size162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm146.7 × 71.5 × 7.7 mmPoco M3 is larger and thicker, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed, while iPhone 13 Pro is more compact.
Weight198g204gThe Poco M3 is slightly lighter, potentially a minor benefit for extended use, though both are relatively substantial.
Build MaterialNot specifiedNot specifiedBuild material is unknown for both devices, impacting durability, feel and aesthetic.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Size6.53"6.1"Poco M3 offers a larger screen for immersive media consumption, while the iPhone 13 Pro is more compact and manageable.
Resolution1080x23401170x2532iPhone 13 Pro has slightly higher resolution, resulting in slightly sharper images
PPI395460iPhone 13 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDiPhone 13 Pro has superior display technology with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Poco M3's LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HziPhone 13 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsiPhone 13 Pro's significantly higher brightness makes it far more visible in direct sunlight and better for outdoor use. Poco M3's brightness is unknown.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)iPhone 13 Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and smooth multitasking.
AnTuTu Score185,0281,325,768iPhone 13 Pro has vastly superior performance, indicating faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
GPUAdreno 610Apple GPU (5-core graphics)iPhone 13 Pro's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in much better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive apps compared to the Poco M3.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Capacity6000mAh3125mAhPoco M3 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life, though real world usage will be impacted by screen, OS, chipset.
Charging18W fast charging20W fast chargingiPhone 13 Pro offers slightly faster charging, though the difference is minor and its battery is smaller
FeaturesReverse charging, 22.5W charger in-boxMagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W wirelessPoco M3 offers the convenience of reverse charging and ships with a fast charger, iPhone 13 Pro offers wireless charging convenience with MagSafe

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Standard Camera48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.80µm pixel size12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" sensor, 1.90µm pixel sizeiPhone 13 Pro's larger sensor and wider aperture results in better low-light performance and image quality, despite lower megapixel count.
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor, 1.12µm pixel size12MP, f/2.2, sensor size and pixel size not specifiediPhone 13 Pro has better resolution and likely better detail in selfies. Exact pixel size is unavailable, and quality depends on sensor technology.
Telephoto LensNone12MP, f/2.8, sensor model not specified, 1.00µm pixel sizeiPhone 13 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better portrait shots and capturing details from a distance; Poco M3 does not have this.
Wide Angle LensNone12MP, f/1.8, sensor model not specified, 1.00µm pixel sizeiPhone 13 Pro provides a wider field of view for capturing landscapes and group photos; Poco M3 does not have this.
ToF 3D sensorNone12MP, 1/3.4" sensor, 1.00µm pixel sizeiPhone 13 Pro offers a better depth-sensing capabilities for augmented reality and improved portrait mode effects. Poco M3 doesn't have this.
Video1080p@30fps, No stabilization, 120fps slow-motion4K@60fps with HDR, Optical stabilization, 240fps slow-motioniPhone 13 Pro offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, HDR, optical image stabilization, and better slow-motion. Poco M3 lacks video stabilization
DxOMarkNot testedMobile: 141, Photo: 140, Video: 146; Selfie: 134, Photo: 128, Video: 143iPhone 13 Pro is significantly better in camera quality, according to DxOMark scores, which are unavailable for the Poco M3.
Camera FeaturesDigital zoom, triple camera4K Video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, PDAFiPhone 13 Pro offers much more advanced camera features, including OIS, 4K video and optical zoom. Poco M3 offers more basic digital zoom.

Software

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
OSAndroid 10iOS 15Different operating systems with varying user interfaces and ecosystem features.

Connectivity

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
WiFi802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, Hotspot, MiMOiPhone 13 Pro supports the latest WiFi 6 standard offering faster speeds and improved performance in crowded networks. Poco M3 has Wifi Direct and Display.
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, AACBoth devices offer similar Bluetooth capabilities with A2DP and LE profiles, but the iPhone 13 Pro has additional AAC support for better audio quality.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavICGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, GalileoPoco M3 has more satellite support, which might improve location accuracy in some regions. iPhone 13 Pro has support for QZSS, which is used in Japan.
SIMDual SIM (Nano), Dual StandbyDual SIM (Nano + eSIM), Dual StandbyiPhone 13 Pro has eSIM support, which allows for easy digital carrier switching. Poco M3 supports the simultaneous usage of two physical SIM cards.

Storage

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Internal64/128GB128/256/512/1024 GBiPhone 13 Pro offers much more storage options for larger media collections and more apps.
RAM4/6GB6GBBoth devices have adequate RAM for smooth multitasking, however the iPhone 13 Pro has the more efficient operating system, and better overall performance.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage, so choose an internal storage variant carefully.

Audio

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
QualityHi-Res Audio, Stereo SpeakersDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS/DTS X, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphonesiPhone 13 Pro has more enhanced audio features resulting in better sound quality, while Poco M3 has Hi-Res audio support.

Security

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprintBasic security featuresPoco M3 provides fingerprint sensor for quick and convenient unlocking. iPhone 13 Pro offers basic security features.

Build Quality

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3UnknownXiaomi Poco M3 has Gorilla Glass 3 offering a level of protection from scratches and damage. The screen protection of the iPhone 13 Pro is not available.

Sensors

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 13 ProPractical Impact
SensorsFingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtualAccelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer, ProximityiPhone 13 Pro includes additional environmental sensors (barometer) for enhanced functionality. Poco M3 includes a fingerprint sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, ideal for users who prioritize endurance.
  • Lower Price: The Poco M3 is considerably more budget-friendly, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Larger Screen: The 6.53" display may be preferred by users who enjoy a more immersive visual experience for media consumption.
  • Reverse Charging: The ability to reverse charge other devices can be beneficial in certain situations.
  • Dual SIM: Supports two physical SIM cards simultaneously.
  • Fingerprint sensor: Provides quick and secure biometric unlocking.
  • Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 adds a level of scratch resistance.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers substantially better performance, handling intensive tasks and gaming with ease.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and high brightness delivers a vibrant, smooth, and clear viewing experience, especially in outdoor conditions.
  • Professional Camera System: The triple camera setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, combined with advanced features like OIS, 4K video recording, and RAW support, provides exceptional image quality.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and DTS X support offer superior sound quality for media consumption.
  • Better connectivity: WiFi 6, AAC support in Bluetooth.
  • More Storage Options: Offers much higher storage options up to 1TB.
  • Premium Build Quality: Although specific materials are not available, it is understood that the iPhone 13 Pro has a more premium build with water and dust resistance.
  • Software Ecosystem: iOS provides a smoother, more unified software experience and access to the Apple ecosystem.
  • eSIM: Support for eSIM allows for more flexibility.
  • Better video: Stabilization and much more options.

Trade-offs:

  • Xiaomi Poco M3: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a more affordable price and better battery life.
  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro: Comes at a much higher price point and has a smaller battery capacity, requiring more frequent charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability and are willing to trade off high-end performance for basic functionality.
  • Heavy Battery Users: Users who need a device that can last throughout the day without frequent charging.
  • Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and playing casual games on a larger screen.
  • Secondary phone users: Users looking for a spare phone for work, travel, or backup.

    • Use Cases:
      • Watching movies and videos on the go.
      • Browsing the internet and social media.
      • Basic mobile gaming.
      • Long commutes.
      • A primary phone for users who prioritize battery.

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ideal User:

  • Power Users: Professionals and tech enthusiasts who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks.
  • Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: Individuals deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and require seamless integration.
  • Users who prioritize a premium experience: Users who want the latest tech and high-quality build.

    • Use Cases:
      • Professional photography and videography.
      • Mobile gaming with high graphics settings.
      • Video editing and creative tasks on the go.
      • Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
      • Business users requiring dependable and high-quality features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. Budget: What is your maximum budget for a smartphone?
  2. Primary Use: What will be the primary use for the phone (e.g., social media, gaming, photography, work)?
  3. Battery Life vs. Performance: Do you prioritize a longer battery life or faster performance, or something in between?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Long Battery Life: If your budget is limited and you need a phone that can last all day with heavy use, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice.
  • Scenario 2: Professional Photography/Videography: If you are looking for the best camera quality and video features on a smartphone, and are willing to spend the money, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 3: Performance and Premium Experience: If you prioritize smooth performance, high-quality display, and the Apple ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is the best option, even at the higher price.
  • Scenario 4: Balanced User: If you want a phone for every day usage without overspending, it is a better choice to look for other phones between these two options, rather than buying one of these two.

My Choice:

If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. Although the Xiaomi Poco M3 offers better battery life and is much more affordable, my needs lean more towards a premium smartphone experience with a high-quality display, exceptional camera capabilities, and top-notch performance. The iPhone 13 Pro's superior build quality, advanced features, and seamless software integration within the Apple ecosystem align perfectly with my requirements. While the price is considerably higher, the overall value provided by the iPhone 13 Pro in terms of performance, camera quality, and user experience justifies the investment for my use cases.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.