1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | Poco M3 is slightly taller and thicker, making A35 feel more sleek and pocketable. |
| Weight | 198g | 209g | Poco M3 is lighter, which can feel more comfortable during long usage, but the difference is minor. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | A35 screen is significantly more scratch and shatter-resistant. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in size; both offer ample screen space. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2340 | Identical sharpness and clarity on both displays. |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density; both displays are crisp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | A35 has superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, better contrast, and potentially better battery life with dark themes, making it more visually appealing, especially for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A35 provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience; the difference is easily noticeable and is a significant upgrade for user experience |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not available for comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | A35's chipset is much faster and more efficient, leading to smoother app usage, better multitasking, and improved gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 578,500 | A35 is significantly faster; apps load quicker, multitasking is smoother, and demanding games perform much better. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MP5 | A35's GPU offers noticeably better graphics performance for games and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | A35 has a slightly higher resolution, potentially capturing slightly more detail. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco M3 has a slightly wider aperture, which might perform slightly better in low-light situations. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.96" | A35 has a slightly larger sensor, enabling better light absorption and improved image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | A35 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | Poco M3 has a slightly wider aperture, which might perform better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2 | A35 offers a wider field of view, useful for capturing landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4 | A35 has the ability to capture detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | A35 records higher-resolution videos with more detail and smoother frame rates. |
| Video Stabilization | No Stabilization | EIS/OIS | A35 produces significantly more stable videos with less shakiness. |
| Slow-motion | 120fps | 240fps | A35 captures higher frame-rate slow-motion videos. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Available | Mobile: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | A35 is tested for camera and has good results. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital 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 | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, AutoFraming, Autofocus, Touch focus, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | A35 offers a more advanced feature set with OIS, better stabilization, night mode and more. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery, potentially lasting longer on a single charge, especially with lighter usage. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 25W fast charging | A35 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | No significant practical impact for typical users. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | None | Poco M3 can be used to charge other devices and includes a faster charger in the box |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 14 | A35 has a newer version of Android, which means it will likely receive security updates for longer and offer the newest features. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | A35 has a newer and faster wifi standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | A35 supports better audio codecs and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Similar location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones use dual sim cards at the same time. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | A35 has much larger storage options for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | A35 offers smoother multitasking and performance for resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | Not Available | Not Available | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users must choose appropriate internal storage during purchase. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | A35 has slightly better audio quality with Dolby Atmos support. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Poco M3 is more user friendly in terms of biometric unlock due to the side-mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | A35 has a wider range of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, which is great for users who need their phone to last all day.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices using the phone, a handy feature in a pinch.
- Slightly Lighter: The device is slightly lighter which can feel better for longer periods of usage.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is more user-friendly.
- Included charger: 22.5W charger included in-box.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a much more vibrant, smooth, and enjoyable viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset provides a much more fluid experience with better app loading, multitasking, and gaming capabilities.
- Better Camera System: A more versatile camera setup with higher-resolution sensors, a wide-angle lens, and macro lens; also offers 4K video recording and much better stabilization features, resulting in better quality photos and videos.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14, ensuring longer software support and newer features.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.
- Superior Build Quality A35 uses a superior Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protector, which provides better scratch and shatter protection.
Trade-offs
- Poco M3: The trade-off for a larger battery is significantly less powerful performance, an inferior display, and a more basic camera system, resulting in an experience that can feel slow and outdated.
- Galaxy A35: While the A35 has a better feature set, it has a smaller battery and is more expensive, it does have faster charging which makes up for the smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing battery life and basic functionality at the lowest possible price point.
- Users with basic needs: Those who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Users who need battery life above all else Users who do not want to charge their phone often and would sacrifice screen and performance quality for battery longevity.
- Secondary phone users: A good option for a secondary device due to its large battery and low price.
Use Cases:
- Long trips where charging isn't readily available.
- Basic social media and web browsing for less demanding users.
- As a secondary phone, great as a backup phone for emergencies.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Ideal User:
- Users seeking a good balance of features and performance: Looking for a smooth experience, a high-quality display, and good camera capabilities.
- Media consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and using social media extensively.
- Amateur photographers/videographers: Users who want to capture high-quality photos and videos on a smartphone.
- Users looking for longevity Users who want to be on the newest software possible with future updates.
Use Cases:
- Social media content creation.
- Mobile gaming with decent graphics.
- Enjoying movies, shows, and other video content with a high-quality experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco M3 is significantly cheaper, while the A35 is more expensive with higher-end features.
- What are your main use cases? If battery life and basic tasks are priorities, the Poco M3 may be sufficient. If you want a premium experience with a better display, camera, and performance, the A35 is the better option.
- How important is a good display and smooth performance? The A35's AMOLED display and faster processor offer a much better user experience compared to the Poco M3.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget:
- Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3. It offers a large battery and basic functionality at a low price, suitable for those with very limited spending.
- Scenario 2: Daily Usage, Media Consumption:
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A35. The AMOLED display and better performance makes it a much more enjoyable phone for media consumption and daily use.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography:
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A35. It has a better and more versatile camera system with additional features like OIS and 4K recording, producing higher-quality photos and videos.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35. While the Xiaomi Poco M3 offers a larger battery, the A35 provides a far superior overall experience that aligns with my usage habits and preferences. The AMOLED display with its 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade, making the phone much more enjoyable for media consumption and everyday use. The vastly improved performance thanks to the Exynos 1380 chipset will lead to smoother multitasking, faster app launches and overall better performance. As someone who takes pictures and videos on their phone, the better camera system on the Galaxy A35, coupled with 4K recording and image stabilization, is essential.
While battery life is important, the 5000mAh battery paired with faster 25W charging on the A35 is sufficient for me. Given the overall package, I would prefer the premium user experience offered by the Samsung Galaxy A35 over the budget-focused features of the Xiaomi Poco M3. While the Poco M3 is a respectable phone for budget-conscious users, the Samsung Galaxy A35 provides much greater value and long-term satisfaction in terms of user experience.
