1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 × 77.3 × 9.6 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | M4 Pro 5G is slightly taller and thinner, while the M3 is wider and thicker. M4 Pro 5G may feel more modern and sleek, while the M3 has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 198g | 195g | Negligible difference in weight; both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.6" | Very minor difference in screen size. Minimal impact on the user experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Virtually identical sharpness. Very minor increase in pixel count on the M4 Pro 5G, which is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 399 | Both have similar pixel densities, resulting in similar perceived image sharpness |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | M4 Pro 5G's 90Hz display will feel smoother and more responsive, especially when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This is likely a data entry error; brightness will affect outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) | M4 Pro 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 438,700 | M4 Pro 5G scores 137% higher, indicating a substantial performance advantage. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | M4 Pro 5G's GPU provides a noticeable improvement in graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | M4 Pro 5G has a slightly higher resolution, which may result in slightly more detailed images, but sensor size and pixel size also play a major role. |
| Rear Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | M3 has slightly wider aperture which will allow slightly more light to reach the sensor. |
| Rear Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | M3 has a larger sensor, which will allow it to capture more light, which is better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | M4 Pro 5G has a much higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.45 | M3's wider aperture may allow for better low-light selfies, but combined with lower resolution will impact final image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/4" | 1/3.06" | M4 Pro 5G has a larger sensor size than the M3. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP | M4 Pro 5G includes a wide-angle camera, enabling wider shots than the M3 can provide. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps | M4 Pro 5G can record video at 60fps for smoother playback. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 60 fps | M3 can capture slow-motion at a higher frame rate. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, Digital Stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face Detection, etc. | Dual Camera, Digital Stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face Detection, Night mode | M4 Pro 5G offers a dedicated night mode for improved low-light photos and also has Ultra Stable video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh | M3 has a 1000mAh larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | M4 Pro 5G charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 22.5W Fast Charger in-box | None | M3 can act as a power bank for other devices, and includes a fast charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | M4 Pro 5G has a newer OS with newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | M4 Pro 5G has a newer version with added support for high quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Both are similar, but M3 has NavIC, while M4 Pro 5G supports BeiDou (B1). |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both allow two SIMs to be used. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | M4 Pro 5G has the option of 256GB of storage for those who need extra space. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | M4 Pro 5G has the option of 8GB of RAM for those who require extra performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users need to chose an appropriate storage option when purchasing. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | M4 Pro 5G has an advanced audio system providing an improved experience for music, gaming, and voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature a similar, convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones offer similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | M4 Pro 5G has an additional gyroscope, which improves gaming and VR experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, ideal for users who are frequently away from a power source.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices, turning it into a portable power bank.
- Wider Aperture Primary Camera & Larger Sensor: These features could potentially improve image quality in low-light situations despite lower resolution.
- Higher Slow-motion Frame Rate: This allows for more detailed slow-motion videos, which may be important for some users.
- Included 22.5W Charger: The included charger, while not the fastest, is higher-powered than some of its competitors at this price point.
- NavIC System: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Dimensity 810 chipset offers much better performance, including app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- 90Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother display for scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for much quicker battery top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Both front and back cameras have higher resolution, although the sensor size differences mean final image quality may vary.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers more versatility in photography.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with a newer operating system, with future upgrade to Android 12.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio experience.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Adds enhanced motion detection capabilities, useful for gaming and other applications.
- Bluetooth 5.1: This newer Bluetooth standard provides better compatibility and efficiency for audio.
Trade-offs:
- The M3 prioritizes battery life at the expense of performance, while M4 Pro 5G goes for performance and faster charging at the expense of battery capacity.
- The M3's larger sensor can be better for low light photography, but the M4 Pro 5G has a better camera setup overall.
- The M4 Pro 5G lacks some of M3's added features such as reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life over raw performance. Great for users who frequently travel or are away from charging outlets. Users who enjoy photography, especially in low light conditions.
- Use Cases:
- Long days of usage without frequent charging
- Travel and outdoor activities
- Basic social media browsing and media consumption.
- Casual photography and slow-motion videos.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G:
- Ideal User: Performance-oriented users who want smooth performance, smoother animations, a better camera and faster charging. Gamers and users who do heavy multitasking. Users who frequently capture photos and videos.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming and demanding mobile apps
- Smooth multitasking
- Faster charging
- Social media content creation.
- Improved audio for music and gaming.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: Battery life or performance? If you value long battery life and reverse charging, the M3 is the better choice. If you need more powerful hardware and fast charging, the M4 Pro 5G is the better choice.
- How important is camera quality and versatile camera features? The M4 Pro 5G has a more versatile camera setup with a wide-angle lens and night mode, while the M3 can capture more light in low light situations.
- Do you need a smoother display and the latest OS? If smooth scrolling and animations are important, the 90Hz screen of the M4 Pro 5G is preferable, as is the newer OS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long travel and infrequent charging: Choose the Poco M3 for its bigger battery and reverse charging capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gaming and heavy multitasking: Choose the Poco M4 Pro 5G for the faster processor, better GPU, and smooth display.
- Scenario 3: Casual user with a small budget: The Poco M3 could be more suitable for users who want a phone that can do the basics well at a budget price, but the M4 Pro 5G offers better value if you can afford the difference.
- Scenario 4: Photography and content creation: The M4 Pro 5G offers more versatile camera features such as the wide-angle lens.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose, I would opt for the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G. While the M3's larger battery is tempting, the M4 Pro 5G's vastly superior performance, smoother display, faster charging, improved cameras, and newer OS outweigh the benefits of the M3 for my personal needs. I tend to play games on my phone, and capture photos and videos for social media, therefore the M4 Pro 5G is a better fit for me. The smaller battery is manageable thanks to the faster charging, and the better overall experience makes the trade-off acceptable.
