Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Honor X8b
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Honor X8b | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 161.1 × 74.6 × 6.8 mm | Honor X8b is slimmer and more pocketable; Poco M3 is noticeably bulkier. |
| Weight | 198g | 166g | Honor X8b is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | Honor X8b offers a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar sharpness, differences are barely noticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Both displays appear equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Honor X8b's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Honor X8b provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Honor X8b is significantly brighter, making it much easier to see in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Honor X8b has a more efficient and newer chipset, offering better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 250,000 | Honor X8b is noticeably faster in everyday tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 | Both use the same GPU, likely with minor performance variations due to chipset differences. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79 | 108MP f/1.75 | Honor X8b has a much higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detailed images in good lighting. |
| Front Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/2.1 | Honor X8b takes much higher resolution selfies with potentially more detail. |
| Wide Angle | N/A | 5MP f/2.2 | Honor X8b has a wide-angle camera, useful for group photos and landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Honor X8b can take macro shots of very close subjects. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones offer similar video recording quality, suitable for social media. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage time. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | Honor X8b charges faster. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 22.5W charger in box | Non-removable | Xiaomi Poco M3 can charge other devices; both have non-removable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | Honor X8b has a much newer version of Android, implying improved security, features, and optimizations. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones have standard Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE, SBC, AAC | Honor X8b has additional support for better Bluetooth audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | A-GPS, GLONASS, GPS (L1+L5) | Xiaomi Poco M3 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy in some cases. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | Honor X8b provides significantly more storage options, useful for storing more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8GB | Honor X8b has significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Xiaomi Poco M3 has better quality sound reproduction and stereo speaker immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a standard side-mounted fingerprint sensor for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a glass with known scratch resistance, the Honor X8b's screen protection is not specified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity, Gravity | Honor X8b has an additional gravity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides potentially much longer battery life, making it ideal for users who prioritize endurance.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, providing added convenience.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Offers better audio quality for music and video consumption.
- Known Screen Protection: Has a known screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Honor X8b Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers significantly better visual quality, higher refresh rate (90Hz), and much higher brightness (2000 nits) for better outdoor use.
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset is more efficient and powerful than the Snapdragon 662, resulting in snappier performance.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Both front and rear cameras have higher resolutions, potentially leading to more detailed photos.
- Wider Camera Options: Inclusion of a wide-angle and macro lens adds versatility to photography.
- Significantly More Storage: Offers more internal storage options up to 512GB.
- More RAM: 8 GB of RAM allows for better multitasking and smoother performance
- Faster Charging: 35W fast charging is much quicker than the 18W on the Poco M3.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 for better performance, features and security.
- Bluetooth Audio: Has more Bluetooth codecs support for better quality wireless audio.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 sacrifices display quality and overall performance for a larger battery.
- The Honor X8b sacrifices some battery capacity for a superior display, performance and cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Long days away from power outlets (e.g., camping, travel).
- Users who watch a lot of videos on their phones.
- Users who prioritize audio quality.
- Users on a very tight budget who need basic smartphone functionality and large battery life.
- Value: Good for its extremely large battery life at the budget price range.
Honor X8b:
- Ideal User: Users who want a balance of good performance, a quality display, and versatile cameras.
- Use Cases:
- Users who want a phone for everyday usage with smooth performance and good photography.
- Media consumers who watch videos, play games, and browse the web.
- Users who want a sleek and light design.
- Users who take a lot of selfies.
- Value: Great for the features it offers at the mid-range price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is battery life your number one priority? If yes, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice.
- Do you value display quality, performance, and camera versatility more than battery life? If yes, the Honor X8b is the better choice.
- How much internal storage do you need? If you store a lot of media or files, the Honor X8b offers more storage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Power User": You are always on the go, consuming lots of media, and taking pictures. You need a dependable phone that will last all day. Recommendation: The Honor X8b. The superior display and performance justify the trade-off in battery capacity. Its fast charging helps reduce downtime.
- Scenario 2: "The Budget User": You just want a phone for calls, social media, and basic tasks, and battery life is crucial. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M3. The lower price and much bigger battery will be ideal.
- Scenario 3: "The Casual User": You want an all-around phone that can handle daily tasks, and enjoy good display quality and cameras. Recommendation: The Honor X8b. This will give you the best day to day experience with good performance, nice display, great cameras and sufficient battery life for a day's use.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Honor X8b. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significantly bigger battery, the Honor X8b offers a superior overall experience. The AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness are huge upgrades for everyday usability and media consumption. Moreover, the better chipset, higher RAM, versatile cameras, and faster charging contribute to a much better overall experience that outweighs the advantages of a bigger battery. I prefer the better visual experience and faster performance for my daily usage over the extra battery life.
