1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 163.8 × 75.1 × 8 mm | Poco M3 is wider and thicker, which may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. A77 is slightly taller but thinner. |
| Weight | 198g | 190g | Oppo A77 is slightly lighter, which might be preferable for longer use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard build with no foldable design. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.56" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 720x1612 | Poco M3 has a much sharper display, with significantly more detail for text, images and videos. A77 may appear less crisp. |
| PPI | 395 | 269 | Poco M3's higher pixel density results in a clearer and more detailed screen. Text and images will look smoother. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology, offering similar color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Oppo A77's 90Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations, making it a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones appear to have a missing specification here, as peak brightness of 0 nits is not realistic for any smartphone display. Further data is needed. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | A77's chip is more modern and built on a smaller process, indicating potentially better power efficiency and raw processing power. However, benchmarks indicate very different performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 42,000 | Poco M3 shows much better performance in synthetic benchmark, indicating significantly better real world responsiveness and faster app launching capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs, each with potentially different strengths. Poco M3's GPU is in line with its higher performance, while the A77's chip is better for power efficiency, but appears to be under-utilized. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/1.79 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Poco M3 captures much more detailed photos in ideal conditions due to higher resolution and wider aperture which indicates better performance in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Oppo A77 will capture more detail in the images produced with the front-facing camera. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | Both record in standard HD but Poco M3 offers 120 fps slow-motion recording. A77 does not offer a proper slow-motion mode, despite the spec sheet claiming otherwise. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Manual focus, digital zoom, image stabilization, autofocus, touch focus, continuous shooting, geotagging, panorama, HDR, face detection, white balance/ISO settings, exposure compensation, scene mode, self-timer | Digital zoom, image stabilization, autofocus, touch focus, continuous shooting, geotagging, panorama, HDR, face detection, white balance/ISO settings, exposure compensation, scene mode, self-timer | Poco M3 has a more versatile camera system with a manual focus mode which A77 lacks. |
| DxOMark | N/A | N/A | No data is available to compare camera performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 3200mAh | Poco M3 has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging, 22.5W charger in-box | No fast charging data | Poco M3 supports fast charging, allowing for faster battery top-ups. A77 charging speed is unknown. |
| Features | Reverse charging | None | Poco M3 can act as a power bank for other devices. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Oppo A77 runs on a newer Android version and likely receive additional updates, meaning it will stay modern longer. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n | Poco M3 supports more modern WiFi standards including WiFi direct, which could result in faster wireless connections and local file transfers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 4.1 | Poco M3 has a more efficient Bluetooth with lower power consumption and a longer range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Poco M3 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering greater accuracy and faster location locking. |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 32 GB or 64 GB | Poco M3 offers more storage capacity, suitable for users with extensive app libraries or many media files. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 3 GB or 4 GB | Poco M3 offers more RAM, which will improve multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the possibility of expanding storage, meaning the purchased version's memory will be the maximum. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Poco M3 offers a significantly enhanced audio experience with stereo speakers, meaning a more immersive experience when consuming media. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Oppo A77 offers better screen protection, which is resistant to more damage. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity, Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass | Proximity, Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass | Poco M3 features an Ultrasonic Proximity sensor in addition to other sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Poco M3 has a significantly higher benchmark score, indicating faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and PPI results in a significantly clearer, more detailed screen experience.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery will likely offer much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Superior Standard Camera: The 48MP camera with a wider aperture should produce more detailed photos with better low light performance.
- Better Audio Experience: Stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio support provide a richer, more immersive audio experience.
- Fast Charging and Reverse Charging: 18W fast charging speeds up charging time, and the ability to reverse charge other devices is an added benefit.
- Wider Connectivity: Features WiFi direct and newer versions of Bluetooth for faster connections.
- Additional satellite systems: NavIC, Galileo and Beidou offer better satellite location tracking
- More storage and RAM options: More options available allow for better suitability towards specific user's needs.
Oppo A77 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience feel more fluid.
- Newer OS: Android 12 is more modern than the Android 10 that ships with the M3 and may receive software updates for a longer period of time.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior protection against scratches and cracks.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: The 16MP front camera offers a better experience for selfie enthusiasts.
- Potentially better Power Efficiency: The smaller 6nm process chipset may result in better power efficiency, despite lower benchmark scores.
Trade-offs:
- Poco M3: The phone is bulkier and heavier.
- Oppo A77: The phone has a lower resolution display, potentially less performance and a lower capacity battery than its competitor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, battery life and display sharpness. Gamers, media consumers, and users who need reliable all-day battery life.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, streaming videos, browsing social media, extended use without charging, taking detailed photos.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and battery life for its price, making it a value-oriented choice.
Oppo A77:
- Ideal User: Users who value a smooth display, newer Android version, and better screen protection. Those who prefer a lighter and thinner phone.
- Use Cases: General daily use, browsing, social media, light gaming, taking selfies.
- Price-to-Value: A good general phone that doesn't excel in any given area but still offers good value for money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Priority: Do you prioritize smooth performance, or are you willing to sacrifice it for other features?
- Battery Life Needs: Do you need a phone that can easily last a full day or more?
- Display Quality Preference: Do you prioritize a sharper display or a smoother one?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming & Heavy Use: If you plan to game frequently or use resource-intensive apps, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice because of its higher performance capabilities and superior battery life.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption & Long Battery: If you primarily watch videos or browse social media and want a phone with good battery, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the better choice due to its sharper display, higher capacity battery, and superior audio experience.
- Scenario 3: Casual User and Durability: If you are a casual user seeking a smooth daily experience with better screen protection, and are less concerned with performance and battery life, then Oppo A77 is the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Budget and Future Proof: If you are operating on a budget and still seek longevity, then the Oppo A77 may be a better pick due to its newer operating system and potentially better power efficiency.
My Choice:
If I had to choose, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Poco M3. The massive advantage in performance, higher quality display with more detail, and massive battery outweigh the advantages of the A77, including better screen protection and a slightly more modern OS. I personally value screen quality, performance and battery life the most out of a smartphone, and this makes the M3 a better pick overall. Although the screen is only 60Hz, the other areas make it an easy pick for myself.
