1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Motorola Moto G35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | Moto G35 is taller and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold; Poco M3 is wider and thicker, may feel bulkier |
| Weight | 198g | 188g | Moto G35 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.72" | Moto G35 offers a slightly larger screen, which could be better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Negligible difference in sharpness; Both offer a similar visual experience |
| PPI | 395 | 392 | Virtually identical pixel density, both screens will look sharp |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Identical display technology, similar color reproduction and viewing angles |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G35 provides significantly smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Moto G35 provides dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Poco M3's brightness is listed as 0 nits, which is likely an error, but the Moto G35 is clearly brighter. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Moto G35’s chipset is more modern (6nm vs 11nm) , resulting in better performance and power efficiency |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 423,297 | Moto G35 offers significantly faster app loading, multitasking, and better gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 | Moto G35 has a superior GPU, leading to smoother graphics in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery, which could result in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both phones have the same charging speed, making charging time comparable |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 22.5W Charger in box | None | Poco M3 can charge other devices and has a faster included charger |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Moto G35 has a higher megapixel count but a smaller sensor. Poco M3 has larger sensor and a wider aperture which are better for low-light performance. Image quality is likely to be similar in good lighting, but Poco M3 should perform slightly better in low light. |
| Front Selfie | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, sensor details not available | Moto G35 has a higher resolution front camera which could lead to sharper selfies. The Poco M3 has a wider aperture for better low light |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G35 offers additional wide-angle photography capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Moto G35 can record higher resolution 4K videos, while Poco M3 is limited to 1080p. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, Manual Focus | Dual Camera, 4K Video | Poco M3 has more advanced manual controls. Moto G35 provides higher resolution videos |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Moto G35 has a much more modern operating system version, with the possibility of future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP | 5.0, LE, A2DP, SBC, AAC | Moto G35 includes more Bluetooth codec support |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both have good location support, with some differences in supported systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Moto G35 offers eSIM support for more flexible carrier options |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Moto G35 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/8GB | Moto G35 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Moto G35 offers more audio features, Dolby Atmos and better voice capture. Poco M3 has Hi-Res audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones have fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Both have identical screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Moto G35 has more sensors (gyroscope, proximity) allowing for more advanced features like more accurate motion tracking and game support. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery can offer noticeably longer battery life, beneficial for users who are heavy users or who do not have easy access to charging.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture & Larger Sensor: Better low-light photo performance due to larger sensor size.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Included 22.5W Charger: Faster in-box charger, reducing charging time compared to other 18W chargers.
Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, more recent and will likely receive more updates and features.
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: Much higher performance, better app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations make the display feel more responsive.
- Higher Brightness Display: Far better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Likely sharper selfie photos.
- 4K Video Recording: Can capture higher resolution video.
- Wide Angle Lens: More versatile camera options.
- More RAM Options: Up to 8GB of RAM, better for multitasking.
- More Internal Storage: Up to 256GB of storage compared to the Poco M3's 128GB.
- eSIM Support: Enables digital carrier switching for more flexible connectivity.
- More Sensors: Includes gyroscope sensor, useful for games, better motion tracking.
- Slightly Lighter and Thinner Design: Easier to hold for extended periods.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco M3 sacrifices performance and screen quality for a longer-lasting battery.
- The Moto G35 trades battery capacity for superior performance, display, and camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Battery-focused users: People who prioritize battery life above all else and do not want to worry about charging their phones during the day.
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a reliable device for basic tasks and are primarily focused on longevity and affordability.
- Users who rarely game or perform intensive tasks: This phone will suit users who do not perform heavy tasks on their phone.
Use Cases for Poco M3:
- Long trips or outdoor activities where power outlets are scarce.
- Everyday communication, browsing, and social media use.
- As a secondary phone for basic tasks.
Motorola Moto G35 Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Those who want a smooth, responsive phone for everyday use, gaming, and multitasking.
- Media consumption enthusiasts: People who watch a lot of videos and need a high-quality display experience, along with a wide-angle lens.
- Users who want the latest software: Android 14 support provides a more modern experience.
- Users that want a good camera experience: Wide angle lens, better front facing camera.
- Users who want more flexible SIM options: eSIM allows more carrier options.
Use Cases for Moto G35:
- Gaming and demanding apps that require a powerful chipset.
- Watching high-resolution videos and enjoying media content.
- Capturing photos and videos with a versatile camera system.
- Everyday tasks with smooth performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco M3 was positioned as a budget phone, so its value is strong for battery life.
- The Moto G35 provides better overall value given it's more powerful processor, higher resolution, better refresh rate display, wide angle camera, and more modern OS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need multi-day battery life or are frequently away from chargers, the Poco M3 might be better.
- Do you prioritize performance and a smooth display? If you want a more responsive, faster phone with a smooth display, the Moto G35 is a better choice.
- What are your camera needs? If 4k video and wide angle lens are important, the Moto G35 is better, while Poco M3 will be better in low light.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Media Consumption and Gaming: The Motorola Moto G35 is the clear choice due to its superior display, powerful processor, better camera for capturing videos, and more RAM.
- Scenario 2: Budget User Focused On Basic Tasks With Long Battery Life: The Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice due to its excellent battery life, which can easily last multiple days.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with a focus on camera capabilities The Motorola Moto G35 offers a better camera due to the wider angle lens and 4k video.
- Scenario 4: Users who like to tinker with their cameras: The Xiaomi Poco M3 has a better main camera, offering larger sensor size and wider aperture, which will do slightly better in low light, along with more advanced manual camera controls
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G35. While the larger battery of the Xiaomi Poco M3 is appealing, the overall improvements in performance, display smoothness (120Hz), higher brightness screen, and camera capabilities of the Moto G35 outweigh the extra battery life. The newer operating system also ensures the phone will stay up to date for longer. As someone who does a lot of browsing, video watching, and some mobile gaming, the Moto G35's smooth performance and superior display quality make it a more enjoyable everyday device. Additionally, having better camera options (wide angle and 4k recording) are more important to me than having a bit more battery life. While battery life is important, I’m usually able to charge my phone daily. The overall better performance and more features on the Moto G35 win over the larger battery of the Poco M3, making it the better value choice.
