1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2020-11-27 | 2023-07-27 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is a much newer device, benefitting from advancements in technology. |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is slightly taller but thinner, potentially feeling more modern and comfortable in hand. Poco M3 is thicker and might feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 198g | 228g | Xiaomi Poco M3 is lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is noticeably heavier. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | Unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.53" | 6.8" | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1260x2800 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro's display is much sharper, making text and images look clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 452 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides a noticeably sharper and more detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro's AMOLED display delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, especially in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers smoother animations and scrolling, providing a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is significantly brighter, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. The Poco M3's brightness was not provided. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers drastically superior performance, capable of handling demanding tasks and games with ease. |
| AnTuTu Score | 185,028 | 1,579,720 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro performs almost 8 times better than the Poco M3, resulting in faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 740 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a much more powerful GPU, providing a better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a slightly higher resolution, wider aperture, and significantly larger sensor, resulting in better image quality and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | Not available | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm pixels | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers more flexibility with a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for zoomed shots and portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor, 1.12µm pixels | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has higher resolution selfie camera. The Poco M3 has a wider aperture, but the ZTE has a larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Camera | Not available | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" sensor, 0.61µm pixels | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides greater versatility with a dedicated ultra-wide-angle lens for expansive shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps with EIS | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro can record video at much higher resolutions and framerates, including 8K, with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). |
| Camera Features | Basic features | Extensive features including OIS, gimbal, RAW, Night Mode. | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro's additional features significantly improve photo and video quality and flexibility. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5100mAh | Xiaomi Poco M3 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W in-box charger | None | Xiaomi Poco M3 can act as a power bank, and includes a slightly faster charger in the box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery offers potentially longer usage between charges, suitable for users who need extended battery life.
- Lighter Weight: At 198g, it's significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Reverse Charging: It can act as a power bank for other devices, adding a layer of convenience.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Slightly more convenient than a basic sensor.
- Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Included Charger: 22.5W fast charger in box
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1500 nits brightness. This provides a much better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset offers significantly faster processing, better gaming capabilities, and smoother multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Superior main sensor, plus a telephoto and ultrawide lens, plus advanced video capabilities.
- Much Faster Charging: 80W charging enables quick battery top-ups.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and more satellite systems for GPS.
- Additional Camera features: OIS, Gimbal, RAW, Night Mode
- More RAM and Storage: Offers considerably more RAM (12GB/16GB) and internal storage (256GB/1024GB).
- Operating System: Comes with a much newer operating system.
- Audio: Has DTS/DTS X.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco M3: Trades raw performance and display quality for a larger battery and lighter weight.
- ZTE nubia Z50S Pro: Trades a larger battery for significantly faster charging, and is heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, and light usage.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, media consumption, and light gaming, users who need a phone that lasts all day.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for the price but is older and lacks modern features, a budget option but very outdated.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, superior camera capabilities and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, professional photography, video recording, multitasking, and general usage.
- Price-to-Value: Higher price point, but offers exceptional value for the performance and features provided.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco M3 is a budget option, while the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is a higher-end device.
- How important is performance and display quality to you? If gaming, or demanding tasks, or display quality are important, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is much better.
- How important is battery life versus charging speed? The Poco M3 offers more battery capacity while the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers much faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you need a basic phone for calls, texts, and web browsing, with long battery life, the Xiaomi Poco M3 may suffice.
- Power User: If you're a gamer, photographer, or multitasker looking for cutting-edge performance, display quality, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the obvious choice.
- Balanced User: If you want a great display, solid camera, and very fast charging the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is still recommended.
What would I choose and why?
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. The difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities and charging speed is so vast that it makes the Poco M3 obsolete in comparison. While the Poco M3 offers a larger battery, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro’s much faster charging compensates for the smaller capacity, and the overall user experience is greatly enhanced. The modern features, such as the much better chipset, camera system, and display are essential for my use cases. The weight difference is something I'm willing to trade for these many upgrades. Ultimately, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides a significantly better user experience, making it worth the extra cost.
