Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Motorola One 5G Ace
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Motorola One 5G Ace | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | Poco M3 is slightly wider; One 5G Ace is taller and thicker, may feel different in hand |
| Weight | 198g | 212g | Poco M3 is lighter; may be more comfortable for long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.7" | One 5G Ace has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400 | Very similar clarity, both Full HD+, minor difference not noticeable |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 393 PPI | Essentially identical sharpness |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar display quality, color reproduction, viewing angles |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness for both, not ideal for high-refresh rate gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness not available; difficult to compare visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) | One 5G Ace is significantly more powerful, faster app loading, better gaming, more efficient |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 330,000 | One 5G Ace has much higher benchmark scores, noticeable performance difference |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 | One 5G Ace offers superior graphics processing power, better for gaming and demanding apps |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Poco M3 likely has longer battery life, lasting through heavy use |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Poco M3 charges slightly faster, though both are relatively slow by modern standards |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger | 10W charger | Poco M3 can charge other devices, ships with faster charger; One 5G Ace has slower charging speeds |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.8µm | One 5G Ace slightly wider aperture. Similar image quality in good light, One 5G Ace may be slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | One 5G Ace captures more detailed selfies. Poco M3 has wider aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | One 5G Ace has an additional wide angle lens, adding flexibility to photography |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | One 5G Ace has an additional macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | One 5G Ace offers better video quality, sharper footage, supports electronic stabilization |
| Features | Digital stabilization | Phase/Laser AF, Night Mode | One 5G Ace has better autofocus, low-light capabilities; Poco M3 has manual focus |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10 | Both run Android 10 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Similar Wi-Fi performance, dual band |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE EDR | One 5G Ace has a more modern Bluetooth version, better energy efficiency and data transfer |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Poco M3 has more satellite system for improved location accuracy, while One 5G Ace has SUPL for assisting in GPS |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Poco M3 can hold two SIM cards for different numbers/networks |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | Similar RAM options, suitable for moderate multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards; storage cannot be expanded |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | Poco M3 offers better audio playback with Hi-Res and stereo, One 5G Ace has dual microphones |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Rear-mounted fingerprint | Side fingerprint reader is generally more accessible, while rear mounted is also functional, preference based. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Poco M3 has better screen protection |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Gyroscope, Proximity | One 5G Ace has more sensors for better motion sensing, gaming, while Poco has Ultrasonic proximity |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery provides potentially much longer battery life than the One 5G Ace, appealing to users who need to go long periods without charging.
- Faster Charging (in-box): Includes a 22.5W fast charger in the box, though only 18W is supported.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a useful feature for those with other gadgets.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows use of two SIM cards, useful for travel or work/personal separation.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides higher-quality and more immersive audio output.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Generally considered more accessible.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better scratch resistance.
- More satellite navigation systems: Better accuracy for GPS.
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: Snapdragon 750G chipset provides a substantial performance boost, with nearly double the benchmark score.
- 5G Connectivity: Supports 5G networks for faster internet speeds where available.
- Superior Graphics Performance: Adreno 619 GPU is better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps.
- Better Camera System: Includes a wider angle and macro lens, along with Phase and Laser Autofocus, RAW, Night Mode, and better video resolution.
- More Modern Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers potentially improved energy efficiency and connection reliability.
- Gyroscope: Better sensor suite for gaming and motion sensing applications.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco M3: Sacrifices performance and advanced camera features for battery life and other minor advantages.
- One 5G Ace: Trades battery life and dual SIM capabilities for higher processing power, 5G connectivity and better camera performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a good value, long-lasting phone.
- Heavy users focused on battery life: Need a device that can last through a full day or more of heavy usage.
- Users who value audio: Who enjoy listening to music or watching videos on their phone, and who want stereo sound.
- Users who need dual SIM functionality: Travelers or those managing multiple phone numbers.
Ideal Users for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Performance-oriented users: Prioritize faster performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who want 5G: Interested in taking advantage of 5G network speeds.
- Users who value camera quality: Want a versatile camera with better video recording and low light capabilities.
- Users who need Gyroscope: Want enhanced motion sensing for gaming and VR applications.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco M3:
- Daily driver for heavy social media use, music streaming, and browsing with minimal charging needs.
- Ideal for travelers or long commuters needing a reliable battery.
- Good for users needing two phone numbers on a single device.
- One 5G Ace:
- For those who play graphics intensive games, needing smooth frame rates.
- Great for content creators who use their smartphone for photography and videography, needing higher resolution.
- Ideal for those who want fast internet speeds over 5G.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is battery life or performance more important to you? If battery life is paramount, the Poco M3 is the better choice. If performance and gaming are a priority, go for the One 5G Ace.
- Do you need 5G connectivity? If you want 5G speeds and a future-proof phone, the One 5G Ace is your only option here.
- How important is a good camera system? If you value flexibility and better video recording, the One 5G Ace is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious Student:
- Recommendation: Poco M3. The larger battery and lower price will suit a student on a budget who needs a phone that will last throughout the day.
- Scenario 2: Power User/Mobile Gamer:
- Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace. The better chipset, GPU, and 5G support are essential for performance.
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler:
- Recommendation: Poco M3. The Dual SIM, and large battery will be helpful for travel.
- Scenario 4: Content Creator:
- Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace. Better camera features will help in content creation, along with 4K recording and the gyroscope.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace.
While the Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significantly larger battery, the Motorola One 5G Ace's advantages in performance are more compelling to me. The Snapdragon 750G chipset, with nearly double the benchmark score, offers a more responsive experience for everyday use and demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The enhanced camera system, including the wider-angle lens, 4K video recording, and better autofocus, provides greater flexibility and improved image quality. While battery life is a consideration, I am willing to trade some battery endurance for overall performance.
