1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | The Poco M3 is slightly larger, wider, and thicker. The 9R will feel more compact in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 198g | 189g | The 9R is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Material | (Not specified) | (Not specified) | The material is not specified, impacting the in-hand feel and durability, but without this spec, we can't comment on quality or scratch resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.55" | Negligible difference in screen size; user experience will be almost identical. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Very similar sharpness on both phones. The difference in resolution is too small to be noticeable in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 402 PPI | Similar pixel density, so images will appear equally sharp. No practical difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The AMOLED on the 9R offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the 9R results in much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness according to the specification. We can't comment on the actual screen brightness difference, as both values are incorrect. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | The 9R has a much more powerful processor. This translates to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 821,600 | The 9R has far superior benchmark performance indicating a much more powerful phone that is more responsive. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 650 | The 9R's GPU offers a significant boost in graphics performance, leading to better gaming experiences and smoother visual rendering. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 4500mAh | The Poco M3 has a larger battery, which potentially translates into much better battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 18W | 65W | The 9R offers significantly faster charging, reducing the time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | Non-removable | The Poco M3 can be used to charge other devices. Poco M3 includes a faster charger in the box. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM1 | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", Sony IMX586 Exmor RS | The 9R has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance and different sensor technology, possibly better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471 Exmor RS | The 9R offers a higher resolution selfie camera, likely producing more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", Sony IMX481 | The 9R has a dedicated wide-angle lens which allows for more flexible shooting and better group photos. The Poco M3 doesn't have a wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode quality and background blur effects. Poco M3 lacks the feature. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | The 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. Poco M3 lacks this feature. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No EIS, 120 fps Slow-mo | 4K@60fps, EIS, 240fps Slow-mo | The 9R supports higher video resolution with stabilization and better slow-motion capabilities, making it more versatile for content creation. The Poco M3 lacks 4k capabilities and stabilization |
| Features | Triple Camera | Quadruple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | The OnePlus 9R offers significantly more advanced features and capture modes compared to the triple camera setup of the Poco M3. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery potentially offers significantly longer battery life.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users prefer this location.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers some level of screen protection.
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate for a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers vastly better performance for all tasks.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, along with higher quality video recording.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging drastically reduces charging times.
- More RAM and Storage options More options available for users with higher requirements.
- Better Audio and Connectivity Features: Including Dolby Atmos and Wifi 6
- More up-to-date software Android 13 support as opposed to Android 10
Trade-offs:
- The Poco M3 sacrifices performance and display quality for a larger battery and lower price.
- The 9R prioritizes performance, display, and camera quality over battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Who prioritize battery life and affordability over performance and advanced features.
- Casual users: Who primarily use their phone for basic tasks such as social media, browsing, and calling.
- Users who need long battery life: Those who are often away from a charger and need a phone that can last all day.
- Users that prefer a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Some users prefer this style compared to under display options.
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Who want a smooth and responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps.
- Content creators: Who require high-quality video recording and a versatile camera system.
- Users that watch a lot of media: Who will appreciate the higher quality display and superior audio.
- Users who want the best experience: That desire a premium experience without the top-tier price tag.
- Users that value fast charging: Who often needs to top up on the go, with super fast charging speeds.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco M3:
- Long-distance travel without readily available power sources.
- Use as a secondary phone due to its long battery life.
- For basic media consumption (Youtube, social media).
- OnePlus 9R:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or personal use.
- Daily multitasking between multiple apps and heavy web browsing.
- Consuming HDR content
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco M3 is a more budget-friendly option.
- How important is battery life? The Poco M3 excels in this category.
- How important is performance and display quality? The OnePlus 9R is much better in these categories.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User needing basic function
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3 if a bigger battery is your priority and you're mostly using your phone for simple tasks.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User:
- Recommendation: The OnePlus 9R is ideal if you value speed, a great display, and better camera quality even at the cost of slightly reduced battery life.
- Scenario 3: Balancing Performance and Battery:
- Recommendation: If you are seeking to have a little of both and have some flexibility in your budget, you may be better suited to the OnePlus 9R, as it offers a far better experience overall, and its charging speeds are much faster meaning your down time is greatly reduced.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the OnePlus 9R
While the Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significant advantage in battery capacity, the overall experience of the OnePlus 9R is far superior. The difference in performance is night and day, the 120Hz AMOLED display is a huge step up, and the camera system is significantly more versatile. The 65W fast charging on the 9R also helps mitigate the smaller battery capacity. For me, the smoother, faster experience and the quality of the display and camera outweighs the slightly lower battery life. I am not a heavy gamer, but I do consume media and use my phone a lot, so the AMOLED screen would be a massive advantage for my use cases.
