Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-27 | 2024-05-28 | realme 8 is significantly newer (almost 3.5 years) and might have access to newer software updates and features. |
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm | realme 8 is thinner and narrower, making it slightly more comfortable to hold. Xiaomi Poco M3 has a slightly larger volume and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 198g | 191g | realme 8 is lighter, which might be preferable during long periods of usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.78" | realme 8 offers a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1264x2780 | realme 8 has significantly higher resolution, resulting in crisper images and sharper text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 450 | realme 8 has a higher pixel density, leading to a sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | realme 8's AMOLED display provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD of Xiaomi Poco M3. AMOLED is also more power efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | realme 8 offers a significantly smoother user experience with a 120Hz refresh rate compared to 60Hz, making scrolling and animations appear more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. Brightness is not provided, and therefore no practical implication can be determined |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | realme 8's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient due to the 4nm process, providing faster processing speeds for all tasks and a smoother overall experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3's score indicates moderate performance, but a comparison is not possible since realme 8's score isn't available. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 732 | realme 8's GPU is much more powerful, providing better gaming performance and improved graphics in demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 0mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a much larger battery, potentially offering significantly longer battery life. The realme 8 battery is not provided. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | Standard charging | Xiaomi Poco M3 supports fast charging at 18W, allowing for quicker recharge times. Realme 8 does not have a charging specification provided. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W fast charger in-box | Standard | Xiaomi Poco M3 can charge other devices and includes a faster charger out of the box. Realme 8 lacks this. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a standard camera while realme 8 doesn't. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0, 1/4" sensor, 1.12µm pixels | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a selfie camera while realme 8 doesn't. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, slow-mo 120fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with OIS, EIS | realme 8 can record higher-resolution 4K video, while the Poco M3 is limited to 1080p. realme 8 also has OIS/EIS for smoother video recording |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, triple camera, image stabilization, autofocus, touch focus, manual focus, continuous shooting, geotagging, panorama, HDR, face detection, white balance settings, ISO settings, exposure compensation, scene mode, self-timer | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 provides a more comprehensive set of camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | realme 8 has a much more modern operating system, with access to newer features and security updates. Xiaomi Poco M3 is running an older version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot, direct, display | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 supports more features, including dual-band and hotspot capabilities. RealMe 8 wifi is not described. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 has Bluetooth 5.0 with additional features such as A2DP and LE, offering improved audio and power efficiency compared to the realme 8, of which the bluetooth version is not provided. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 supports more satellite systems, which can result in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 can support two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 comes in different storage options, but comparison is difficult without knowing the realme 8's storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 can have 6 GB of RAM, which is suitable for moderate multitasking. RealMe 8 RAM specifications not available. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Xiaomi Poco M3 offers better audio quality, with stereo speakers and high-resolution audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco M3 features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which can be more ergonomic and faster than a traditional sensor on the back of the phone. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco M3 has Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection which provides improved scratch resistance compared to the unknown realme 8. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Basic sensors | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a more complete set of sensors, offering advanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially much longer battery life.
- Comprehensive Camera Features: Offers a wide range of features, including manual focus, HDR, and various scene modes.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides a better audio experience.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices.
- More Comprehensive Set of Sensors: Has more sensors including a light sensor and an ultrasonic proximity sensor for more functionality.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better scratch protection.
- Wider range of connectivity: Supports more satellite systems for more accurate GPS tracking and more features like dual band wifi, and wifi hotspot
realme 8 Advantages
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 offers dramatically superior performance.
- Superior Display: AMOLED with a higher refresh rate, resolution, and pixel density leads to a much better visual experience.
- Much More Modern OS: Comes with Android 14.
- Higher Quality Video Recording: Supports 4k recording, with OIS/EIS for smooth footage.
Significant Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Poco M3's key trade-off is its older, less powerful chipset and less advanced display technology, despite the higher battery capacity.
- realme 8 lacks a specified battery size, and therefore is difficult to compare against the Poco M3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those prioritizing battery life and a good set of features at a lower cost.
- Users Primarily Focused on Media Consumption: The larger battery and better audio quality make it good for long video or music sessions.
Users who like to take a lot of photos and want a device with many settings: This device has more settings than a generic phone, meaning the user can tweak images to their liking.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long travel days or camping where charging access is limited.
- Watching movies or listening to music extensively on the go.
- Daily driver with basic mobile and social media needs.
realme 8 Ideal User
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who need a fast and responsive phone for gaming or heavy app usage.
- Users who value a premium display experience: The AMOLED screen and high refresh rate provide a superior viewing experience.
- Users looking for a modern OS: It is much newer and has more capabilities than the Poco M3.
Users who want high quality video: It can record high resolution video.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and graphic intensive applications.
- Enjoying high-definition content and media.
- Daily driver with a modern OS, and faster loading times for applications.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Xiaomi Poco M3: Offers excellent value for budget-conscious users, especially if the biggest priority is battery life and good audio.
- realme 8: The cost is higher but justifies by offering superior performance and a premium display, making it more appealing to power users and those who value modern features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary need: maximum battery life or high performance? If battery is paramount, the Poco M3 wins, but if performance is needed, the realme 8 wins.
- Do I prioritize display quality (AMOLED, high refresh rate) or battery life? The realme 8 has the better display, while the Poco M3 has a larger battery.
- How important is the most modern OS or camera video recording quality to me? The realme 8 will have a much more modern OS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long travel without charging. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M3 due to its much larger battery capacity.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and heavy application use. Recommendation: realme 8 due to its significantly more powerful processor and GPU.
- Scenario 3: Daily use with social media, video, and basic apps. Recommendation: If budget is a major concern, Xiaomi Poco M3 is acceptable. However, if the budget is not a problem, the realme 8 has the better display, higher performance, and newer OS and is the better overall phone.
- Scenario 4: Photography and Videography: Recommendation: The realme 8 due to its superior video quality and OIS/EIS
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the realme 8. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 has a larger battery, the overall experience offered by the realme 8 is far superior. The significantly more powerful processor means the phone is more responsive and will likely have a longer lifespan. The AMOLED display with its high refresh rate also makes using the phone much more enjoyable, making all tasks look crisp and smooth. Finally, the much more modern operating system will provide a better security and features overall. The realme 8 offers a significant leap in performance and display quality, which, in my opinion, outweighs the benefit of the larger battery offered by the Poco M3, especially since the realme 8 is more likely to last longer due to the more modern OS and more powerful chip.
