1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | The M4 Pro is noticeably more compact and easier to handle, particularly for smaller hands. The M3 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 198g | 179.5g | The M4 Pro feels significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.43" | The M3 has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience, though the difference is minimal. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are essentially Full HD+, offering sharp images; the difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Both provide sharp visuals, with the M4 Pro being slightly sharper, but hard to notice by the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The M4 Pro's AMOLED display has much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours than the M3's LCD panel. It is also more energy-efficient for dark modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The 90Hz refresh rate on the M4 Pro makes scrolling and animations feel smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical for both, but the actual experience might vary depending on the display technology and calibration. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | The M4 Pro's chipset is significantly faster than the M3's, leading to quicker app loading and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 438,700 | The M4 Pro has significantly higher performance, handling demanding apps and games better than the M3. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The M4 Pro's GPU is more powerful, resulting in improved graphics in games and other graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The M3 captures more light due to the larger sensor and wider aperture, which can result in better low-light performance. The M4 Pro offers higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | The M4 Pro offers more detailed selfies with its higher resolution sensor. The M3 might perform slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | The M4 Pro has an added wide angle lens for greater flexibility when taking photos. The M3 lacks wide angle functionality. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 120fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, 60fps slow-mo | Both offer standard 1080p recording, but the M3 provides 120fps slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital Image Stabilization, etc. | Dual camera, Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode, Digital Image Stabilization, etc. | The M4 Pro has more advanced features like "Ultra Stable Video" and "Night Mode", while the M3 has a third lens. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | The M3 offers significantly longer battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The M4 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger in-box | None | The M3 can act as a power bank for other devices and includes a slightly more powerful charger out-of-the-box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, a major advantage for heavy users.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, a useful feature for those in a pinch.
- Wider Camera Aperture: The main camera has a wider aperture, which can result in better low-light photos.
- More Camera Lenses: The M3 features a third, depth-sensing camera lens for improved depth of field.
- 120 fps slow-motion: The M3 captures slow-motion videos at 120 fps, while the M4 Pro is limited to 60 fps.
- NavIC GPS: The M3 supports additional Indian location services
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Helio G96 chipset provides a substantial boost in speed and responsiveness.
- Superior AMOLED Display: The AMOLED display offers much better colour, contrast and power efficiency.
- Smoother 90Hz Refresh Rate: Makes the user interface and animations feel much smoother.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging quickly replenishes the battery, reducing downtime.
- Wide-angle Camera Lens: The addition of the wide-angle lens provides more flexibility in capturing group and landscape photos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed selfies.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones improve sound quality.
- More Advanced Camera Features: Features such as "Ultra Stable Video" and "Night Mode" improve the quality of video and images, especially in low-light.
- More modern bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 gives access to higher quality audio codecs.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with a more recent OS version (Android 11).
Trade-offs
- M3: The big battery comes at the cost of bulkiness, slower performance, and an inferior display.
- M4 Pro: Faster performance and a better display come at the cost of smaller battery and the omission of reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability and long battery life over performance.
- Heavy Users: Needs a phone that can last a full day without needing a charge.
- Infrequent Gamers: Doesn't require high-end gaming capabilities.
- Those who value Reverse Charging: Users who regularly want to charge other devices.
- Users who value slower-motion capture: Users who need to capture action at 120 fps.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long hours of media consumption
- Offline navigation and travel
- Reliable secondary phone with long battery life
- Users wanting a large screen for basic use
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal User
- Users who prioritize screen quality: Demands the best possible display quality.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Needs a phone for smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and casual gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts: Wanting a better selfie camera and an ultrawide lens.
- Users wanting fast charging: Prioritize quick top-ups over long battery life.
- Users wanting an ultrawide camera: Need more versatility in photography
- Users wanting advanced audio: Value a good quality audio experience
- Those who value "Ultra Stable Video": Need smooth video output.
- Users who want a more modern OS: Prioritizes the latest version of Android.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media enthusiasts who regularly post photos and videos
- Mobile gaming
- Users who watch a lot of video and value display quality
- Users wanting quick battery top-ups.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Xiaomi Poco M3 is a better value pick for those who need a very budget phone with maximum battery life and large screen.
- The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro provides great value for users needing high-performance and great screen quality at a good price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is my primary use case? (Heavy gaming, long battery life, or casual usage)
- How important is display quality to me? (Do I need vibrant colours and deep blacks, or is an LCD adequate?)
- Do I prioritize battery life or fast charging? (Long hours of usage vs quick top-ups)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: If your primary need is a budget phone with maximum battery life for tasks like browsing, reading, and basic social media, choose the Xiaomi Poco M3.
- Scenario 2: If you want a balanced phone for fast performance and content consumption, choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro.
- Scenario 3: If you are a mobile gamer or media enthusiast who appreciates smooth performance, vibrant colours and fast charging, choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro.
- Scenario 4: If you are looking for a reliable secondary phone with a long battery life and large screen, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is the choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. Although the M3 offers an exceptional battery and reverse charging, the advantages of the M4 Pro's smoother 90Hz AMOLED display, significantly faster performance, faster charging, and better camera features outweigh the battery advantage for my use case. I value overall performance and display quality more than a larger battery, and the M4 Pro's faster charging helps mitigate any battery-related concerns. Additionally, the inclusion of features like a wide-angle lens and a superior selfie camera makes the M4 Pro a more versatile and modern choice.
