1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mm | TCL 40 SE is taller and thinner, potentially feeling more modern. Poco M3 is thicker, which might feel more substantial. |
| Weight | 198g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is slightly lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.75" | TCL 40 SE offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 720x1600 | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a much sharper and clearer display, providing better text clarity and image details. |
| PPI | 395 | 260 | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significantly sharper display (more detail and less pixelation). |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles typical of LCD technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | TCL 40 SE has smoother scrolling and animations, offering a slightly more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 40 SE has much better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Poco M3 screen might be difficult to read in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Helio G37 (12 nm) | Xiaomi Poco M3's Snapdragon 662 generally offers better overall performance for apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 160,000 | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a slightly faster processing in synthetic benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | PowerVR GE8320 | Xiaomi Poco M3's Adreno 610 is generally better at handling graphics-intensive tasks like gaming, with smoother frame rates. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm pixel | 50MP, f/1.85, 0.7µm pixel | TCL 40 SE has slightly higher resolution, Poco M3 has a wider aperture that may allow slightly better low-light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.0, pixel size unknown | Similar selfie camera resolution. Pixel size for TCL 40 SE is unknown. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP Depth Camera, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel | TCL 40 SE has a dedicated depth sensor for better background blur in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP Macro Camera, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel | TCL 40 SE has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 120fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo 30fps | Both record video at 1080p, Poco M3 has a higher frame rate in slow-motion video for smoother effect. |
| Camera Features | DIS, Manual focus | PDAF | Poco M3 has digital image stabilization and manual focus, while TCL 40 SE has faster autofocus with PDAF. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5010mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a significantly larger battery, offering longer battery life between charges, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both have the same fast charging capacity. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | N/A | Xiaomi Poco M3 can charge other devices and includes a faster charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | TCL 40 SE has a significantly newer OS version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, EDR | TCL 40 SE supports enhanced data transfer and a newer bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Poco M3 supports NavIC, which might improve location accuracy in specific regions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | TCL 40 SE offers more internal storage options (up to 256GB), for users who need more space for apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 4 GB or 6 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | Both phones come in configurations suitable for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Poco M3 offers high resolution audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side mounted fingerprint | Side mounted fingerprint | Both have a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Poco M3 offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Poco M3 has additional sensors, including a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution (1080x2340) and PPI (395) offer a much crisper viewing experience.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset provides generally superior performance compared to the Helio G37.
- Larger Battery: A 6000mAh battery offers substantially longer battery life.
- Reverse Charging & 22.5W Charger: Can charge other devices and has a faster included charger.
- Better audio: Hi-Res audio support offers a better quality audio output.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is better than the unknown specification of TCL 40 SE.
- More sensors: The Xiaomi Poco M3 has a more complete set of sensors, including a compass.
Practical Implications: The Poco M3 is a better choice for those who prioritize a sharp display for viewing detailed content, better performance for smooth app usage, longer battery life for all-day use and good audio quality. Reverse charging and a faster included charger adds extra convenience.
TCL 40 SE Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13, offering the latest features and security.
- Larger Display: A slightly larger 6.75" display is better for media consumption.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 90Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Brighter Display: 900 nits brightness makes the screen far more usable in direct sunlight.
- More Internal Storage: Available with up to 256GB of internal storage for more files and apps.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth cameras: Offers improved camera versatility.
Practical Implications: The TCL 40 SE is better for those who prefer a larger screen, smoother animations, better outdoor visibility and more storage space and a better OS. The macro and depth camera improve versatility for those who like to take photos.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco M3: Trades off display brightness, refresh rate and macro/depth cameras for a significantly sharper screen, better performance, and longer battery life.
- TCL 40 SE: Trades off display sharpness, battery life, and performance for a smoother refresh rate, better visibility outdoors, and larger storage capacity.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize display quality, battery life, and overall performance.
- Users who consume a lot of visual content, such as ebooks, articles, or videos.
- Gamers on a budget, due to the superior Snapdragon chipset.
- Frequent travelers or users with limited access to charging, thanks to the large battery.
- Users who prioritize Hi-Res audio
Specific Use Cases:
- Long hours of reading or browsing due to the high-resolution screen.
- Playing graphically intensive games on a budget.
- All-day usage without worrying about recharging due to its large battery.
- Quickly charging other devices on the go thanks to the reverse charging feature.
- Listening to high-quality audio through headphones.
Ideal User for TCL 40 SE:
- Users who value a large screen and smooth animations.
- Users who often use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Users who need ample storage for apps, media, and photos/videos.
- Users who want a newer OS and the latest android features.
- Users who want a more versatile camera system with macro and depth sensors.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the larger screen with smoother refresh rate.
- Taking photos/videos in a versatile way with macro and depth cameras.
- Using the phone outdoors thanks to the bright display.
- Storing large amounts of files, photos, and videos due to the high storage capacity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 typically offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially for display sharpness, processor and battery life
- The TCL 40 SE has an edge for users needing better visibility in sunlight and more storage space.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display sharpness? If you prioritize crispness and detail, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is superior.
- Do you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright conditions? If so, the TCL 40 SE's significantly brighter display is crucial.
- How important is battery life versus fast charging? If battery life is paramount, the Poco M3 excels, but the TCL 40 SE has better out of the box battery charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Gamer/Heavy User): If you want the best performance and battery life for games and heavy use on a limited budget, go for the Xiaomi Poco M3.
- Scenario 2 (Media Consumption/Outdoor Use): If you prioritize smooth animations, outdoor visibility, and storage for media, the TCL 40 SE is a better choice.
- Scenario 3 (General User): If you want a modern OS and versatile camera system the TCL 40 SE is a better choice.
What would I choose and why?
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Poco M3. While the TCL 40 SE has its advantages – notably the brighter screen and smoother refresh rate – the Poco M3’s significantly sharper display and superior performance are priorities for me. I often read a lot on my phone and appreciate the high resolution. Additionally, the significantly larger battery would be very useful. I am not a frequent user of cameras on my phone and I have a charger with me most of the time so the benefits of TCL 40 SE's better camera and faster charger are not as important to me. The inclusion of a compass is also a useful feature for outdoor use, making the Poco M3 a better choice overall for my personal needs and usage patterns.
