1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus is taller and thicker, might feel more substantial in hand. Xiaomi more compact. |
| Weight | 198g | 238g | Xiaomi is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use, less tiring to hold. Asus is noticeably heavier, might feel more premium to some. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | Asus provides slightly larger screen for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2448 | Both are sharp; the difference in resolution is negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical sharpness; both have similar pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Asus offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles, more power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Asus has much smoother scrolling, animations, and game play, visually feels much faster. Xiaomi will show motion blur, especially when scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical for both phones. Note: This value is unusual and should be investigated further for potential errors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus offers significantly faster processing, better gaming, smoother multitasking. Xiaomi will be slower in everything and is not suitable for heavy gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 883,000 | Asus is much faster, superior performance in all areas. Xiaomi will lag in comparison. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 660 | Asus has a much more powerful GPU, better graphics performance. Xiaomi will be significantly slower in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 6000mAh | Similar battery size; both should last a full day with normal use. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus charges much faster, shorter downtime. Xiaomi will require a lot more time to charge. |
| Features | 22.5W fast charger in-box, Reverse charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | Asus has bypass charging (can game plugged in without charging). Xiaomi has a charger in-box and can also charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM1, 0.8µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686, 0.8µm | Asus has higher resolution, a larger sensor for more detailed images, better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856, 1.12µm | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8", Samsung S5K2X7, 0.90µm | Asus has higher resolution, larger sensor, potentially better selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.5 | Asus has wide-angle lens for wider shots, greater versatility. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus has macro lens for closeup shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps with EIS, 4K@120fps | Asus offers much higher video quality, can record in 8K and slow motion, better for content creation. Xiaomi video resolution is limited. |
| Features | Digital zoom, etc. | 4K/8K video, Optical Zoom, PDAF, Night Mode, etc. | Asus offers more features, better for photography enthusiasts. Xiaomi has basic camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Asus comes with newer Android, longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax, 802.11ad | Asus supports WiFi 6 for faster speeds, lower latency, better performance on crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Asus has newer Bluetooth for better audio and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, etc. | Asus has more satellite systems, better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | Asus offers more storage capacity for users needing more space for files. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 8GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, 18 GB | Asus has much more RAM, better for multitasking and running heavy apps. |
| Expandable | Not Available | Not Available | Neither support MicroSD cards, consider this a limitation if you use expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS/X, Hi-Res, 4 Mics, Stereo Spkrs | Asus has superior audio with DTS:X, noise cancellation microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Asus has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall | Asus provides a more comprehensive sensor suite and is superior. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: At 198g, the Poco M3 is significantly lighter making it easier to use for extended periods.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally considered faster and more convenient than a basic in-display sensor.
- Lower price point: The Poco M3 is a budget device, making it far more affordable than the high-end ROG Phone 5.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset offers significantly faster performance in all areas: apps loading, multitasking, and gaming performance.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides a dramatically better viewing experience with smoother scrolling and richer colors.
- Enhanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, a wider array of lenses, and significantly improved video recording capabilities make it far better for photography and video.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More RAM and Storage Options: More options of RAM and storage for more demanding users.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 11, upgradeable to 12, offering better features and long term software support.
- Superior Audio: DTS:X, noise cancellation microphones, superior audio capture.
- More comprehensive sensor suite.
Trade-offs:
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is significantly more expensive than the Xiaomi Poco M3, reflecting its superior performance and features.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is considerably heavier than the Xiaomi Poco M3, which may impact comfort during extended use.
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 sacrifices overall performance and display quality for affordability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: People looking for a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Basic Users: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, browsing, and social media.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery: Users who want all day battery life with less need to charge during the day.
- Users who value a compact and light phone.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication and browsing
- Light social media use
- Basic photography
- Long battery use for travel.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Users who need top-tier performance and high refresh rate for demanding mobile games.
- Power Users: Those who need their phone for heavy multitasking and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high quality photos and videos.
- Users who prioritize quality and features over cost.
Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming
- Video recording and editing
- Heavy multitasking
- High-fidelity audio playback
- Advanced photo editing and content creation
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 offers great value for its low price, but it has major performance limitations.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is expensive but offers top-tier performance and features, it represents a better investment for its target users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you have a tight budget the Poco M3 is the only option, otherwise the ROG 5 should be considered.
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If you are a gamer or need a powerful phone the ROG Phone 5 is the better choice.
- What are your camera needs? If you need professional-level camera/video, then the ROG 5 is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, need a basic phone: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3. It’s very affordable and is a functional smartphone for basic tasks.
- Scenario 2: Casual gamer, want good performance: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. It will offer a better experience for gaming, while also excelling in other areas such as camera and media consumption.
- Scenario 3: Need a great camera for content creation: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 for its advanced camera features and video capabilities.
- Scenario 4: Performance is the most important aspect, with a focus on gaming, and the budget is not an issue: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 without any doubt.
- Scenario 5: Light user, needs a reliable phone and a long battery: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3, its long battery life will make it a good device.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. While it is significantly more expensive than the Xiaomi Poco M3, the performance difference is night and day. As a power user, the Snapdragon 888 chipset, 144Hz AMOLED display, and significantly better camera system are all features that I would find value in. Additionally, the 65W fast charging is a very useful feature to have. The Xiaomi Poco M3 is a great budget device, but it lacks the performance and screen quality that I require. The performance limitations of the Poco M3 would make it very frustrating for daily use. The ROG phone 5 is far superior in every aspect except for size, weight and cost. Therefore, for me, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is the clear winner.
