Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Huawei Pura 70
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 157.6 × 74.3 × 8 mm | Pura 70 is more compact and thinner, likely more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 198g | 207g | Poco M3 is slightly lighter, but the difference is minimal. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1256x2760 | Pura 70 has noticeably sharper and clearer display. |
| Pixel Density | 395 ppi | 460 ppi | Pura 70's higher PPI results in finer detail and less pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Pura 70 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70's screen is much more readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Pura 70's chipset offers dramatically faster app loading and performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 768,000 | Pura 70 will handle demanding tasks and games with ease, while the Poco M3 will struggle. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70 has a much more capable graphics processor for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" sensor | Pura 70 has better low-light performance, wider aperture, and larger sensor for better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.4 | Pura 70 takes more detailed selfies, while Poco M3 has slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/3.4 | Pura 70 offers optical zoom for better long-distance shots, while Poco M3 has no telephoto. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | Pura 70 has an ultra-wide lens for more expansive landscapes. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes | Pura 70 has video recording of higher resolution than 1080p, and better video stabilization. |
| Features | Digital zoom, basic features | 4K, Optical zoom, OIS, Advanced autofocus, RAW, Night Mode | Pura 70 offers a more versatile and advanced camera experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4900mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery and may offer longer battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless | Pura 70 charges much faster and supports wireless charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in box | Reverse charging, Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | Pura 70 offers more versatile charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Unknown | Pura 70's OS is more up-to-date |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Pura 70 offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Pura 70 has more efficient and higher quality Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | Basic GNSS | Advanced multi-band GNSS | Pura 70 is significantly more accurate and reliable for navigation. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Pura 70 has significantly more internal storage space for files and apps. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 12GB | Pura 70 allows for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Pura 70 offers enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Poco M3 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Poco M3 has a glass screen with additional protection; screen material for Pura 70 is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Pura 70 has a more comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger 6000mAh battery may last longer for light to medium usage.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: Some users find side-mounted sensors more convenient than in-display sensors, while it is noted that the Huawei Pura 70 has a "basic" fingerprint sensor and does not state it is in-display.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers decent screen protection against scratches and minor impacts.
Practical Implications: The Poco M3 is a budget-friendly phone focused on long battery life and a large screen. It's suitable for basic daily tasks, media consumption, and less demanding users.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED panel with higher resolution, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate provides a premium visual experience.
- Much Faster Performance: The Kirin 9000S1 chipset offers significantly more power for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers much higher image and video quality with telephoto, wide-angle, OIS, and 4K video capabilities.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 65W fast charging and wireless charging options make topping up the battery quick and convenient.
- More Storage & RAM: Larger storage capacities and 12GB RAM provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
- Superior Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster and more stable wireless connections.
Practical Implications: The Pura 70 is a premium smartphone designed for users who need top-tier performance, exceptional camera quality, and a high-end display experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco M3: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a lower price and potentially longer battery life.
- Pura 70: May have potentially shorter battery life due to its higher performance, but will charge faster, and it comes at a much higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, seniors, or those who prioritize battery life and a large screen for basic tasks and media consumption.
- Use Cases: Social media, browsing, basic games, long commutes with limited charging access, media consumption (videos, podcasts).
Huawei Pura 70:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile photographers, gamers, or those who prioritize cutting-edge technology, high performance, and an exceptional display experience, and are willing to pay a premium for it.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, heavy multitasking, demanding apps, and anyone needing a premium mobile experience.
Price-to-Value: The Poco M3 is targeted at the budget segment, offering good value for the price, while the Pura 70 sits at the premium level, offering advanced features for its higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones is significant.
- What are your primary use cases? Is it mainly browsing and social media, or more demanding tasks like gaming and photography?
- Which features are most important to you? Is battery life, display quality, performance, or camera the key deciding factor?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Constrained User: If budget is the biggest concern, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is a reasonable option for basic tasks.
- Everyday User: For smooth and responsive experience, and if the price tag is not a big factor, the Pura 70 offers a much superior and more capable device.
- Mobile Photographer: The Huawei Pura 70 is clearly superior, offering optical zoom, wide-angle lens, higher resolution, OIS, and advanced features.
- Gamer/Power User: The Pura 70 is much better suited for resource-heavy gaming with its advanced chipset and display.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei Pura 70. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 has a larger battery, the advantages offered by the Pura 70 are simply too compelling to ignore. The vastly superior display, significantly faster processor, more versatile camera system with telephoto and wide angle lenses, and much faster charging make it the clear winner for someone who uses their phone heavily and needs its full capabilities.
While the Pura 70 comes at a premium price, the performance and features it offers make it a more future-proof investment. The only drawback could be the potentially lower battery life due to the higher-end chipset, but the faster charging (65W fast charging and wireless charging) largely compensates for this, and given my use case as a mobile photographer, I would be bringing power banks anyway.
In summary, the Pura 70 wins with a premium build, a display that excels in every metric (higher resolution, OLED, 120Hz, brightness), and advanced features which all significantly enhance the user experience compared to the Poco M3.
