1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is thinner and narrower, likely feels more comfortable in hand. Poco M3 is slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 198g | 190g | Realme 12+ is slightly lighter, potentially causing less fatigue during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.67" | Realme 12+ offers a slightly larger viewing area for multimedia and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are FHD+, visual difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical sharpness, both displays offer good pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12+ has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption and gaming, especially in dark environments. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12+ offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience, more responsive UI. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ display is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight and outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 12+ has a much newer and more powerful chip, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 601,000 | Realme 12+ has significantly better performance, capable of handling demanding apps and games with ease compared to the Poco M3. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 12+ GPU offers superior graphics rendering performance in games and other GPU intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life on a single charge, but real world performance will vary. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12+ charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 22.5W in-box charger | Non-removable | Poco M3 can charge other devices, and comes with a slightly more powerful charger in the box. Realme 12+ charging is much faster however. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Cam | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/2" | Realme 12+ higher resolution main camera may offer slightly better details and image quality. Poco M3 offers wider aperture in low-light. |
| Selfie Cam | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" | 16MP, f/2.45 | Realme 12+ higher resolution for sharper selfies and better overall front-facing camera. Poco M3 has a wider aperture for low light. |
| Wide Angle Cam | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12+ has an additional wide-angle camera providing versatility. |
| Macro Cam | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12+ offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/30fps, EIS | Realme 12+ can record higher quality videos with stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Manual Focus, Continuous shooting | 4K Video, OIS, PDAF | Realme 12+ features Optical Image Stabilization for better video and low light performance. Poco M3 gives greater manual control. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | Realme 12+ runs on a more recent version of Android, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12+ supports a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 12+ has a more recent version of Bluetooth for improved performance and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Xiaomi Poco M3 has more support for satelite systems leading to improved GPS accuracy and reliability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Realme 12+ offers more storage capacity, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12+ has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Realme 12+ provides superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation, better audio quality, clearer calls, and improved immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco M3 features a more advanced side mounted fingerprint sensor; Provides basic biometric security for the Realme 12+. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco M3 has known screen protection. Realme 12+'s screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Realme 12+ features a gyroscope which is valuable for games that utilize motion controls and offers a standard proximity sensor. The Poco M3 has an ultrasonic proximity sensor, which is slightly more advanced. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, appealing to users who need extended usage between charges.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices can be useful in a pinch, adding an extra layer of utility.
- More GPS Satellites: Support for Galileo and NavIC for potentially better accuracy and reliability in positioning.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a vastly superior visual experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations, noticeably better for media and gaming.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 7050 chipset delivers much higher performance, ensuring smoother multitasking and better gaming experiences.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging allows for much quicker battery top-ups, reducing downtime significantly.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and front-facing cameras, along with a dedicated wide-angle lens and macro lens provide better photographic versatility, supported by OIS for sharper low-light photos and videos. 4k video recording.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Android 14, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 offer the latest software features, better wireless speed and more stable connections
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation provide a superior audio experience for music, movies and calls.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities, charging speed, and a few features to achieve a larger battery and reverse charging, while also including screen protection.
- The Realme 12+ has a smaller battery and lacks the reverse charging feature, but provides drastically better performance, display and camera technology, alongside faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Primarily focused on affordability and basic smartphone functionalities.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Needs a device that can last through a full day or more without frequent charging.
- Light Smartphone Users: Not demanding heavy performance or graphics.
- Users needing GPS Accuracy: Needs accurate positioning services for activities such as hiking or deliveries, or navigation in rural areas.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, messages).
- Basic social media browsing.
- Web browsing.
- Listening to music.
- Basic photography
- Long days away from charging outlets
Realme 12+ Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Demands a fast and smooth user experience, including gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Media Enthusiasts: Values high-quality display for watching videos, playing games, and viewing photos.
- Photography Lovers: Needs a versatile camera system with high-quality imaging.
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: Needs to quickly charge their device on the go.
- Users looking for a more modern device: Needs the newest software updates and connectivity features
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- High quality media consumption (movies, streaming).
- High quality photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking.
- Fast-paced on the go use and travel.
Price-to-Value:
- Xiaomi Poco M3: Offers excellent value for its price, providing a large battery and basic functionality at a low price point.
- Realme 12+: Offers more features and substantially better performance, justifying its higher price if the user values these improvements.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life? If you value a long-lasting battery above all else and don't mind sacrificing on other features, the Xiaomi Poco M3 may be suitable. However, if you are able to charge more frequently, and want much better performance and features, the Realme 12+ is the better option
- What are your priorities when using your phone? Do you use your phone for demanding tasks such as gaming and multimedia or is it for mostly for basic use? If performance and display quality are important to you, the Realme 12+ is the clear winner.
- How much are you willing to spend? If budget is the primary constraint, the Poco M3 is the more affordable option. However, if you can afford the higher price, the Realme 12+ offers significantly more value and much better performance overall.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget and Battery: If you need a phone with long battery life and affordability is a primary concern, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Multimedia: If you value smooth performance, high-quality display, and fast charging, and you plan to use your phone for demanding tasks, the Realme 12+ is the preferred choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you want a balance between battery life and performance, the Realme 12+ still provides better overall performance at the cost of some battery life. However, the faster charging makes up for this.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Realme 12+. Although the larger battery of the Poco M3 is appealing, the overall experience offered by the Realme 12+ is substantially better, especially in the areas that I value most in a smartphone, such as:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate is a night-and-day difference from the IPS LCD panel of the Poco M3. For daily usage, watching videos, and browsing, the Realme 12+ provides a much more enjoyable experience.
- Performance: The Dimensity 7050 chip is significantly more powerful, which means smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better experience in games and resource-intensive applications. This would extend the longevity of the phone compared to the Poco M3.
- Camera Versatility: The combination of a better main camera, a wide-angle lens, and a macro lens, alongside 4k video recording and OIS, makes the Realme 12+ a much better option for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging would be greatly beneficial in a busy lifestyle.
- Newer Software: Android 14 with a future update to Android 16 means the Realme 12+ will last longer due to software support.
While the Poco M3 has a larger battery, the Realme 12+'s better performance, display, camera and faster charging are more significant factors for my daily use. The trade-off in battery life is acceptable to me, especially with the very fast charging speeds of the Realme 12+.
