Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Motorola Moto G04s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Moto G04s is slightly taller and thinner; Poco M3 is wider and thicker. G04s may be more pocketable. |
| Weight | 198g | 178.8g | Moto G04s is noticeably lighter, likely more comfortable for long usage |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.56" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 720 x 1612 | Poco M3 offers significantly sharper visuals due to higher pixel density. Text and images appear crisper. |
| PPI | 395 | 269 | Poco M3's higher PPI means noticeably sharper text and images, especially when viewing close up. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar display technology, expected to produce similar colors and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G04s has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is same on both. Performance in outdoor or bright light is difficult to determine with this missing spec. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Different chipsets mean variations in processing power and efficiency. Snapdragon 662 is generally more reliable in daily tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 220,000 | Moto G04s has a higher benchmark score suggesting better theoretical performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Different GPUs will have variations in graphical capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M3 has a much larger battery; likely providing longer battery life for a full day's use. |
| Charging | 18W | 15W | Poco M3 charges slightly faster than Moto G04s. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | None | Poco M3 can charge other devices and includes a faster charger in the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.79, 1/2") | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/2.76") | Moto G04s has slightly higher resolution but Poco M3 has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP (f/2.0) | 5MP (f/2.2) | Poco M3 has higher resolution and a wider aperture on the front camera, meaning better selfies in most cases. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (No stabilization) | 1080p@30fps (Yes stabilization) | Moto G04s offers video stabilization; Poco M3 does not. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, manual focus | Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, LAF | Moto G04s offers features like OIS for sharper images and faster focusing. Poco M3 has a triple camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Moto G04s runs on a much newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both offer comprehensive location services. Poco M3 supports NavIC, while Moto G04s supports SUPL. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB/128GB | 64 GB/128GB/256 GB | Moto G04s offers up to 256 GB of storage while the Poco M3 is limited to 128 GB. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB | Poco M3 offers up to 6 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | Poco M3 has better speakers with stereo separation while Moto G04s offers enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar fingerprint authentication |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Similar screen protection for both. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both have common sensors. Poco M3 includes a compass and ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor, while Moto G04s includes a gyroscope and proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Significantly Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1080x2340) and PPI (395) result in a much clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
- Larger Battery: A 6000mAh battery offers potentially much longer usage between charges.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging and an in-box 22.5W charger provide faster replenishment of the battery.
- Better Front-Facing Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture provide better selfies in most conditions.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Offers higher quality audio for listening to music or watching videos.
- More RAM Option: Up to 6 GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking and more applications to be open in the background.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Runs on Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Higher AnTuTu Score: Slightly better performance in benchmarks, although real-world differences may be minor.
- Video Stabilization: Offers electronic stabilization in video recording resulting in smoother videos.
- Optical Zoom and OIS: Features like optical zoom and optical image stabilization offer advantages in terms of picture quality.
- More Storage Option: Up to 256 GB of storage is available on the Moto G04s.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco M3's larger battery and sharper display come at the cost of a heavier, older phone with no video stabilization.
- The Moto G04s's lighter build and smoother display are balanced by a smaller battery, lower screen resolution, and older front-facing camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Looking for the best display and battery life at the lowest price.
- Heavy Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or browse social media and require high resolution and long battery life.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Individuals who need a phone that can last all day without needing to recharge frequently.
- Users who appreciate better audio: The stereo speakers are a good feature for media consumption.
- Occasional photographers: For users who appreciate a higher resolution selfie camera.
Use Cases:
- Long commutes watching movies or TV shows.
- All-day usage without carrying a power bank.
- Enjoying visually rich games.
- Listening to music on the go.
Motorola Moto G04s Ideal User:
- Users Prioritizing a Smoother Experience: Those who value the fluidity of a 90Hz refresh rate.
- Users Wanting Latest Software: People who want the latest Android version with the newest features and security patches.
- Users needing a lighter smartphone: People who value a lighter, thinner phone for comfortable day-to-day use.
- Users that care about having a larger storage: Those who require extra storage on their phones for videos, pictures and applications.
- Video Recording Enthusiasts: Those who need video recording with stabilization in a budget device.
Use Cases:
- Everyday casual browsing and social media.
- Taking photos and videos on the go.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more pocketable phone.
- Users who value software currency over other features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Display Sharpness vs. Smoothness: Is a sharper, more detailed display (Poco M3) more important, or is smoother scrolling (Moto G04s) your priority?
- Battery Life vs. Portability: Do you need the longest possible battery life (Poco M3), or a lighter, more pocketable phone (Moto G04s)?
- Software Version: Is having the latest Android version (Moto G04s) important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Media User: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3 for its superior display and much longer battery life.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Casual User: Choose the Motorola Moto G04s for its smoother display, more recent software, and lighter design.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Video Creator: Choose the Motorola Moto G04s for the video stabilization and higher storage options.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Poco M3. My reasoning is primarily driven by a few key factors:
- Superior Display Quality: The higher resolution and pixel density of the Poco M3's display would make a noticeable difference in my day-to-day experience. I read a lot of text and watch a considerable amount of video on my phone, so the improved clarity is highly valuable to me.
- Exceptional Battery Life: The larger 6000mAh battery is a significant advantage. I often have long days away from a charger, and the Poco M3 would provide the assurance I need.
- Stereo Speakers: I prefer watching video content with stereo speakers over a single speaker, and the stereo separation would be advantageous.
- Better Front Camera: Although I rarely use the front camera, I would like to have a better quality camera when the need arises, and the higher resolution and aperture of the front camera on the Poco M3 makes it a better choice.
While the Moto G04s has advantages like a smoother 90Hz display and more recent software, the areas where the Poco M3 excels aligns more with my usage habits and priorities. The battery life, screen quality and audio output are more important than a marginal improvement in smoothness that I might not notice. Therefore, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is my choice, despite its age and the lack of some modern features.
