1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.4 mm | Poco M3 is significantly larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. Zenfone 10 is smaller and more pocket-friendly. |
| Weight | 198g | 172g | Zenfone 10 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard build phones. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 5.92" | Poco M3 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. Zenfone 10 is more compact, easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are very similar in sharpness. The minor difference won't be noticeable for most users. |
| PPI | 395 | 445 | Zenfone 10 has a noticeably sharper display, with finer details and clearer text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Zenfone 10 has much better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and is more power efficient when displaying dark content. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 10 provides much smoother animations and scrolling, making the user interface feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 10 is significantly brighter and is much more visible outdoors, especially under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Zenfone 10 offers significantly faster processing, better app loading speeds and a smoother overall user experience due to its modern flagship chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 10 provides dramatically superior performance in all tasks (gaming, multitasking) offering significantly better performance, more responsive performance for all use cases. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 740 | Zenfone 10 has a much more powerful GPU for demanding applications and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sensor, 0.8µm Pixel | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sensor, 1.0µm Pixel | Zenfone 10 likely captures more detailed images, particularly in low light due to its larger sensor and pixel size, despite a slightly smaller aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" Sensor, 1.12µm Pixel | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" Sensor, 0.70µm Pixel | Zenfone 10 selfie camera produces higher resolution images, but may not perform as well in low light as Poco M3's camera with its wider aperture and larger pixels. |
| Wide/Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Sensor, 1.12µm Pixel | Zenfone 10 offers an extra wide-angle/macro lens for versatile shooting scenarios not available on the Poco M3. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion 120fps | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, Slow-motion 480fps | Zenfone 10 supports much higher resolution video recording, improved stabilization, higher slow-motion frame rates and features for video capture. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), PDAF Omnidericional, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Zenfone 10 offers a more comprehensive set of camera features, including OIS, gimbal, RAW support and superior autofocus, resulting in higher quality images and more control for the user compared to the Xiaomi Poco M3. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4300mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery which should result in longer battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Zenfone 10 charges much faster reducing the downtime for charging. |
| Other Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | 15W Wireless Charging, 5W reverse wired charging | Poco M3 provides reverse charging capability, and a 22.5W fast charger, and the Zenfone offers wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Zenfone 10 runs a much newer OS with more updated features, better security patches, improved performance, more up-to-date software ecosystem compared to the older Android 10 on the Poco M3. |
| Max Version | None | 15 | The Asus Zenfone 10 is slated to receive up to Android 15 updates, offering users a longer software support lifecycle compared to the Xiaomi Poco M3. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | The Zenfone 10 supports newer WiFi standards for faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks, reduced interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Zenfone 10 provides faster data transfer, enhanced security, and more reliable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Zenfone 10 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy in a variety of geographical locations. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones share the same dual-sim technology and offer the same practical features. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | The Zenfone 10 offers much more internal storage options for users who need to store large amounts of media and apps. The max storage difference is substantial (384 GB). |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/16GB | The Zenfone 10 offers significantly more RAM which helps with demanding apps and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Zenfone 10 is slightly better due to it having a noise cancelling microphone for clearer calls and 2 microphones. |
Security and Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a side mounted fingerprint sensor which offers good biometric security for unlocking the device. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Zenfone 10 has a more comprehensive sensor suite that includes a gyroscope, which is better for gaming and AR experiences compared to the Poco M3. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Zenfone 10's screen is much more durable to scratches and drops compared to the Poco M3's screen. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life which is beneficial for users who need a phone that lasts for more than a day.
- Reverse Charging: Allows the Poco M3 to act as a power bank for other devices.
Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a vastly smoother, faster, more responsive experience for all tasks, particularly gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Compact Form Factor: It is lighter and more compact, making it easier to handle and carry for everyday use.
- Much Better Display: The AMOLED panel offers superior color accuracy, contrast, and brightness, along with a 144Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals.
- Superior Camera System: It produces higher-quality photos and videos in various conditions, and includes a wide-angle/macro lens and more video recording features including 8K recording.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging capabilities, not available in the Poco M3.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and is slated to receive up to Android 15, offering a more up-to-date software experience and longer-term software support.
- Improved Connectivity: It supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, leading to faster and more reliable connections.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco M3: sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera versatility for longer battery life and a lower price point.
- Zenfone 10: has a smaller battery compared to the Poco M3 and a higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability above all else.
- Users Requiring Long Battery Life: Needs a phone that can last a full day or more on a single charge for moderate usage.
- Basic Users: Those who mostly use their smartphone for basic communication, browsing, and light media consumption.
- Users Who Don't Game or Use Demanding Apps: Performance is not a priority for this user group.
Asus Zenfone 10 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Values fast processing, smooth multitasking, and the ability to handle graphically intensive games and apps.
- Users Prioritizing Camera Quality: Needs a versatile camera system for capturing higher quality photos and videos.
- Users Who Value A Compact Form Factor: Prefers a phone that is comfortable to hold and easy to manage one-handed.
- Users Who Prioritize a Smooth Display: Needs a fast refresh rate for smoother animations.
- Users who prioritize future proofing and software updates
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco M3: Ideal for students or older adults on a tight budget who primarily use a smartphone for social media, calls, and occasional video watching, or for users who require a simple backup phone.
- Zenfone 10: Ideal for mobile gamers, photographers who want to capture high-quality photos and videos, or anyone who needs a fast, high-performance phone that is also compact.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco M3 is a budget smartphone, while the Zenfone 10 is a higher-end device.
- How important is performance and software to you? The Zenfone 10 is far more powerful and has newer software.
- What are your priorities when it comes to display quality, battery life, and camera features? The Poco M3 offers a larger battery, while the Zenfone 10 excels in display quality, camera capabilities and overall performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user needs a basic phone for social media and calls with excellent battery life and a limited budget: Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: A user is a gamer or needs a powerful smartphone with a high-quality camera: Asus Zenfone 10 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: A user wants a compact phone with a great display and reliable performance: Asus Zenfone 10 is the better choice.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 10. While the larger battery on the Xiaomi Poco M3 is appealing, the vast differences in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience make the Zenfone 10 a superior device for my usage preferences. As someone who frequently uses their phone for gaming, photography, and media consumption, the powerful processor, vibrant display, and better camera system of the Zenfone 10 outweigh the battery benefits of the Poco M3. Additionally, the more compact size of the Zenfone 10 makes it easier to handle and carry around.
