Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Huawei Pura 70 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-27 | 2024-04-29 | The Pura 70 Pro is significantly newer, offering potentially more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | The Poco M3 is slightly wider and thicker, making the Pura 70 Pro feel sleeker and potentially more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 198g | 220g | The Poco M3 is lighter, which may be preferable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.8" | The Pura 70 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering more viewing area for media and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1260x2844 | The Pura 70 Pro's higher resolution results in a sharper, more detailed display, improving clarity and visual fidelity. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 460 PPI | Higher pixel density on the Pura 70 Pro provides a noticeably sharper image, especially for text and detailed graphics. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Pura 70 Pro’s OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the IPS LCD of the Poco M3. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Pura 70 Pro makes scrolling and animations feel much smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 Pro has significantly higher brightness, making it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | The Pura 70 Pro's Kirin 9010 offers substantially better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 869,707 | The Pura 70 Pro scores almost 4 times higher, indicating vastly superior speed and performance in all areas. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Maleoon 910 | The Pura 70 Pro's GPU is much more powerful, enabling smoother gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5050 mAh | The Poco M3 has a larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Pura 70 Pro charges dramatically faster, reducing downtime spent plugged into a wall. |
| Features | 22.5W charger in-box, reverse charging | 80W Wireless charging, 20W reverse wireless, reverse charging | The Pura 70 Pro offers significantly faster wired charging, convenient wireless charging, and wireless reverse charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" sensor | The Pura 70 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, allowing it to capture more light and detail, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.4 sensor | The Pura 70 Pro captures higher resolution selfies; the Poco M3 has wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 48MP, f/2.1 | The Pura 70 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering improved zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 12.5MP, f/2.2 | The Pura 70 Pro includes a wide-angle lens, allowing for more versatile photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | Yes, Stabilization | The Pura 70 Pro captures higher-resolution video and provides image stabilization for smoother footage. |
| 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, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Pura 70 Pro offers a more versatile and powerful camera system with optical zoom, OIS, and many additional features. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Unknown | The Poco M3 uses an older version of Android; the Pura 70 Pro’s OS is unknown. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Pura 70 Pro supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster speeds and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Pura 70 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved connection speed and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | The Pura 70 Pro supports a wider range of satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal | 64GB or 128GB | 256GB, 512GB, or 1024GB | The Pura 70 Pro has significantly more internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4GB or 6GB | 12GB | The Pura 70 Pro has much more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better overall performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers, but the Poco M3 has Hi-Res audio and the Pura 70 Pro has Dolby Atmos |
| Security & Build | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Poco M3 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is typically faster and more reliable. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Poco M3 offers a known level of screen protection; the Pura 70 Pro's protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | The Pura 70 Pro features more sensors, enabling broader functionality |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, ideal for users who prioritize endurance.
- Lighter Build: The 198g weight makes it more comfortable for extended use.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: This is generally considered a more convenient option than a standard fingerprint sensor.
- Known screen protection: Offers a basic level of protection through Gorilla Glass 3.
- Hi-Res Audio: This may be preferred by some audiophiles.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate offers a much better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Kirin 9010 chipset and increased RAM provide significantly faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Far Superior Camera System: The advanced camera system with a larger sensor, wider aperture, telephoto lens, and ultrawide lens provides significantly better image quality and versatility.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Charging: 100W fast charging, 80W wireless charging and 20W reverse wireless charging.
- More Storage: Significantly larger storage options are available.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Enhances the phones functionality.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco M3 prioritizes battery life and a lower price point, trading off display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- The Pura 70 Pro offers top-tier performance and features but at a likely higher price point and with a slightly heavier build.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking a basic smartphone with good battery life.
- Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Individuals who prioritize battery life over performance and camera quality.
- Users who prefer a lighter device.
Specific Use Cases (Poco M3):
- A secondary device for basic communication.
- A phone for users with basic technological needs.
- A budget-friendly option for long trips with limited charging opportunities.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display, top-tier performance, and a versatile camera system.
- Users who frequently take photos and videos, including in low-light environments.
- Gamers and power users who need high performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Users who value fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Those who want the latest wireless connectivity standards.
Specific Use Cases (Pura 70 Pro):
- Professional photography and videography.
- Gaming and other demanding mobile applications.
- Media consumption with a superior viewing experience.
- Users who need a device that can keep up with their demanding daily needs.
- Users who need fast and convenient wireless charging options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Poco M3 is targeted at budget-conscious buyers, while the Pura 70 Pro will likely be significantly more expensive.
- What are my primary use cases? Do you prioritize battery life and basic features, or do you require high performance, a superior camera, and an excellent display?
- How important is fast charging and wireless charging to me? The Pura 70 Pro has much more advanced charging options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Users: If you're on a very tight budget and simply need a phone for basic tasks, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the more sensible choice.
- Performance and Camera Enthusiasts: If you prioritize high performance, top-tier camera quality, and excellent display, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro is the superior option, assuming the budget allows.
- Battery Life Focus: If you need maximum battery life at all costs, the Poco M3 is the slightly better option, but the Pura 70 Pro's fast charging means it can get up to full faster.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. While the Poco M3 has a larger battery and is lighter, the advantages of the Pura 70 Pro are overwhelming for my needs. The superior OLED display with its high refresh rate is a massive upgrade for daily use, whether browsing, watching videos, or playing games. The enormous difference in performance, as seen in the benchmark scores, means that the Pura 70 Pro would be significantly smoother and more responsive for heavy multitasking and demanding apps. The camera system, with its telephoto and wide-angle lenses, and a better primary sensor is also crucial for me. Although the Pura 70 Pro is heavier, I believe the increased performance, camera quality, significantly better display, and superior charging features make it worth it. I would much rather have a fast, responsive, high quality phone and charging than a budget phone that has a longer battery life. The additional 22 grams in weight is negligible. The unknown screen protection of the Pura 70 Pro is the biggest downside when compared to the Poco M3, but this can be mitigated through the purchase of a screen protector.
