Xiaomi Poco M3 vs Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 27, 2020 September 16, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 120.44 cm³ 98.52 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 2.79 "/g
Weight 198 g 240 g
Height 162.3 mm 160.7 mm
Width 77.3 mm 77.6 mm
Thickness 9.6 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cool Blue
  • Poco Yellow
  • Power Black
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Space Black
  • Deep Purple

Display

Screen Size 6.53 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1290 x 2796
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.4 % 88.3 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 400 nits 1000 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 2000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 140.71 mAh/in² 96.30 mAh/in²
Battery Density 49.82 mAh/cm³ 43.88 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh 4323 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
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 16
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Xiaomi Poco M3 and the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, focusing on their practical impact:

Design

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxPractical Impact
Dimensions162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm160.7 × 77.6 × 7.9 mmPoco M3 is slightly taller and noticeably thicker, which may affect pocketability and one-handed use.
Weight198g240gPoco M3 is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. iPhone 14 Pro Max feels more substantial.
BuildCorning Gorilla Glass 3 (screen)Unknown (screen)Poco M3 has screen protection; iPhone 14 Pro Max's is unknown, which can affect its durability against scratches/breaks.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxPractical Impact
Size6.53"6.7"iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a slightly larger viewing area.
Resolution1080x23401290x2796iPhone 14 Pro Max provides much sharper visuals, more detail, better readability due to higher pixel count.
PPI395460iPhone 14 Pro Max has significantly higher pixel density, leading to a crisper display.
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDiPhone 14 Pro Max's OLED provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HziPhone 14 Pro Max offers much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing overall responsiveness.
Brightness0 nits2000 nitsiPhone 14 Pro Max is significantly brighter, offering excellent outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight. Poco M3 has very poor brightness.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)iPhone 14 Pro Max's chipset is vastly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score185,0281,465,559iPhone 14 Pro Max demonstrates significantly higher overall performance, much more capable in resource-intensive tasks.
GPUAdreno 610Apple GPU (5-core graphics)iPhone 14 Pro Max has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in significantly better graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay and enhanced visual experiences.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxPractical Impact
Main Camera48MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor48MP f/1.78, 1/1.3" sensoriPhone 14 Pro Max has a larger sensor and wider aperture, resulting in better low-light performance and detail.
Selfie Camera8MP f/2.0, 1/4" sensor12MP f/1.9iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a higher-resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture, capturing more detailed and brighter self-portraits.
Telephoto LensNot Available12MP f/2.8iPhone 14 Pro Max's telephoto lens enables optical zoom for better shots of distant subjects without significant loss of quality.
Wide Angle LensNot Available12MP f/2.2iPhone 14 Pro Max's wide-angle lens allows capturing a broader field of view, suitable for landscapes and group photos.
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with HDRiPhone 14 Pro Max can record much higher quality videos with better stabilization and dynamic range, ideal for professional or high-quality videography.
DXOMark Score (Mobile)Not Available146 (Photo: 143, Video: 149)iPhone 14 Pro Max has a significantly higher DXOMark Score, indicating superior photo and video capabilities.
DXOMark Score (Selfie)Not Available145 (Photo: 139, Video: 154)iPhone 14 Pro Max has a significantly higher DXOMark Score, indicating superior photo and video capabilities.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Poco M3Apple iPhone 14 Pro MaxPractical Impact
Capacity6000mAh4323mAhPoco M3 has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges, though real world usage depends on many variables.
Charging18W fast charging20W fast chargingiPhone 14 Pro Max charges faster (by 2W). Note that the Poco M3 comes with a 22.5W charger in box.
FeaturesReverse charging, 22.5W fast charger in-boxMagSafe wireless charging 15W, Qi magnetic fast wireless charging 7.5WPoco M3 offers reverse charging. iPhone 14 Pro Max offers wireless charging, which can be convenient.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life than the iPhone 14 Pro Max's.
  • Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices, a useful feature for emergencies or travelers.
  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended periods of usage, especially with one hand.
  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, making it a great budget option.
  • Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a basic level of biometric security

Practical Implications: The Poco M3 prioritizes affordability and battery life over performance and premium features. This makes it suitable for users who prioritize those aspects.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Advantages:

  • Superior Display: OLED technology, higher resolution, higher brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate offer a premium visual experience.
  • Far Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip delivers unmatched speed, efficiency, and gaming capability.
  • Advanced Camera System: Offers higher image and video quality, a telephoto lens, and advanced features.
  • Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging add convenience to the charging process.
  • Premium Build Quality: While the glass is unspecified it is likely a higher-quality material, making it more durable and premium.
  • More Storage Options: Offers significantly larger internal storage options, up to 1TB.
  • Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, better spatial audio.

Practical Implications: The iPhone 14 Pro Max excels in areas like performance, display, camera quality, and overall user experience. It's designed for power users and those who prioritize these aspects.

Trade-offs:

  • The Poco M3 trades performance, camera quality, display and premium features for longer battery life and lower cost.
  • The iPhone 14 Pro Max trades a larger battery, reverse charging, fingerprint sensor, and affordability for significantly better performance, display, and camera quality.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Poco M3:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, basic smartphone functionality, and durability, and don't need to do heavy gaming or video editing.
  • Use Cases:
    • Daily social media browsing and messaging.
    • Streaming music, podcasts, or light video content.
    • Long trips where battery life is important and portability is a necessity.
    • Users who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging and light browsing.
  • Price-to-Value: Offers great value at a low price point.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max:

  • Ideal User: Power users, content creators, mobile gamers, and professionals who demand top-tier performance, superior display and camera quality, and seamless user experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Professional photography and videography.
    • Demanding mobile gaming and resource-intensive applications.
    • Extensive video streaming and content consumption.
    • Multitasking and productivity tasks.
    • Users who need the best phone experience available, no matter the price.
  • Price-to-Value: Offers premium experience and cutting-edge technology at a high price point.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Budget: What is your budget? The Poco M3 is a budget phone, while the iPhone 14 Pro Max is a premium device.
  2. Performance: How much processing power and speed do you need? The iPhone 14 Pro Max is far more powerful, making it ideal for demanding tasks.
  3. Camera Needs: How important is camera quality? The iPhone 14 Pro Max delivers superior photo and video capabilities, especially with the additional telephoto and wide angle lenses.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Long Battery Life Priority - Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3.
  • Scenario 2: Demanding Performance and Best Camera Quality - Choose the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max.
  • Scenario 3: Moderate Usage, Balanced Needs - If your budget allows, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is still a better choice, but if you need to save money, the Xiaomi Poco M3 will work fine for most things.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 offers impressive battery life and is a fantastic budget device, my personal needs demand high performance, a superior camera, and an excellent display. As someone who does a lot of mobile gaming, high quality photography, video and photo editing, and multitasking, the iPhone 14 Pro Max's A16 Bionic chip, OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and versatile camera system are essential. I value the smooth, responsive user experience and the professional-level tools the iPhone offers, which justify its higher price point for my use case. Although the battery life is smaller than the Xiaomi, I find that the battery on the iPhone is acceptable for my needs, and fast charging and wireless charging are very useful for me. While the Xiaomi's reverse charging and larger battery is nice, I would not use reverse charging often, and the difference in battery would not make up for the lack of performance I would get from the Poco M3.

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.

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