Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT and the Motorola Moto G04s. These two phones offer very different experiences, so let's break it down for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a deep dive into the specs, what they mean, and how they impact you:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT | Motorola Moto G04s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8mm | Poco X3 GT is slightly wider and thicker, making it a bit more bulky in hand. |
| Weight | 193g | 178.8g | Moto G04s is lighter, which makes it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.56" | Both phones have similarly sized displays, a negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1612 | Poco X3 GT’s FHD+ display is considerably sharper than the Moto G04s's HD+, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 399 | 269 | The higher pixel density on the Poco X3 GT means sharper detail and less pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use LCD, meaning similar color reproduction, but Poco's display should be sharper. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco X3 GT provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Dimensity 1100 (6nm) | Unisoc T606 (12nm) | Poco X3 GT’s chip is significantly more powerful, meaning faster app loading, smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 745,283 | 220,000 | The Poco X3 GT has a much higher performance benchmark score, highlighting its superior processing capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Poco X3 GT has a much more capable GPU, leading to much better gaming and graphics-intensive application performance. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | Poco X3 GT's 8 GB RAM offers smoother multitasking and handling of demanding apps compared to the Moto G04s's 4 GB of RAM. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Poco X3 GT's main camera has a higher resolution and slightly wider aperture, which should give you a better result in low light. |
| Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Poco X3 GT has a larger sensor, which can gather more light, leading to better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Poco X3 GT's front camera has much higher resolution, resulting in clearer selfie photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Poco X3 GT offers significantly higher video recording resolution, good for anyone looking to capture high-quality video. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola's phone has image stabilization. |
| Features | 4K, RAW, Night Mode | Optical Zoom, OIS, LAF | Both offer a wide range of features, but each has its unique strenghts, with Poco having more features for still image while Motorola offers optical zoom and OIS for videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have identical battery capacities, suggesting comparable usage times. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Poco X3 GT charges much faster, getting you back up and running in significantly less time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Moto G04s comes with a much newer Android version, which has the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Poco X3 GT supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi 6 standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Poco X3 GT has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth standard with additional audio codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Both phones have up to 256 GB storage, with the Moto having the option for a smaller 64 GB version. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so you’re limited to the internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | The Poco X3 GT has much better audio due to the inclusion of Stereo Speakers and Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both phones have fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | The Poco X3 GT has a much better screen protection than the Motorola Moto G04s |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT Strengths:
- Performance Powerhouse: The Dimensity 1100 chipset and 8GB of RAM make the Poco X3 GT a performance beast, crushing the Motorola in benchmarks. This means smoother gaming, faster app loading, and seamless multitasking.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz FHD+ display offers a sharper and smoother viewing experience compared to the Moto G04s’ HD+ screen.
- Fast Charging: The 67W fast charging is a game-changer, charging the device in a fraction of the time.
- Better Camera (Still Images): With a higher resolution main camera, bigger sensor, and 4k video recording the Poco delivers better still image and video quality for many users.
- Advanced Audio: The Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, and stereo speakers provide a much better overall audio experience.
- More advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: With Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 the Poco X3 GT provides more advanced features, lower latency and increased bandwidth.
- Superior Build Quality: With Gorilla Glass Victus the screen protection of the Poco is far superior to Gorilla Glass 3.
Motorola Moto G04s Strengths:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14, which means it has the latest software features and security updates.
- Lighter and Slimmer: The Moto G04s is easier to handle due to its lighter and thinner design.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides superior image and video quality when capturing fast moving objects or low light settings
- Optical Zoom and Laser Autofocus (LAF): Provides better focusing and zoom compared to the Poco X3 GT
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Poco X3 GT: Older OS out of the box, lacks image stabilization, heavier build.
- Moto G04s: Significantly weaker performance, lower-resolution display, slower charging, less advanced audio.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT:
- Ideal User: Gamers, multitaskers, those who prioritize performance, and users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, streaming videos, productivity tasks, photography (still images) and high quality video recording.
- Recommendation: If you need a high-performance phone that won’t break the bank and need great audio and visual quality, the Poco X3 GT is the clear choice.
Motorola Moto G04s:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for basic functionality with a focus on ease of use.
- Use Cases: Simple social media browsing, casual photography, calls, and light productivity.
- Recommendation: If you need a lightweight device with a modern operating system and good battery life for day-to-day use, then the Moto G04s could be enough.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- What do you use your phone for? If it is for performance intensive tasks like gaming or video production choose the Poco. If you are using your phone for light tasks the Moto is a good option.
- How important is performance? If you need smooth multitasking and responsiveness, the Poco's chipset and RAM blow the competition away. If you are not a heavy user the Moto should be just fine for basic tasks.
- What is your budget? If you're looking for the best performance possible within a limited budget and don't mind the older OS, the Poco X3 GT is great value. If you are on a tight budget then the Moto might be better value.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Mobile Gamer): The Poco X3 GT is the obvious choice. Its superior performance will give you a much smoother gaming experience and the superior display and speakers provides a more enjoyable gaming experience overall.
- Scenario 2 (Everyday User): The Moto G04s is sufficient for basic usage. Its newer OS is nice and if you are on a budget it's a great choice.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia Enthusiast): The Poco X3 GT's 4K recording, 120Hz display, and Hi-Res audio makes it a no brainer. The display alone will make a difference if you are watching videos all day.
- Scenario 4 (Casual Photographer): Both phones have their strengths with the Poco having more features and a higher megapixel count for still images, and the Motorola having OIS for video, so that makes this more of a personal choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT. The reason for this is simple: it provides a massive performance leap that makes the phone significantly more enjoyable to use for anyone that's doing anything other than the most basic tasks. The display and speakers are a much better experience, and the fast charging makes my life so much easier. While the Moto G04s has a newer OS and image stabilization, that doesn't make up for the major performance difference that is offered by the Poco X3 GT. The Poco just gives me more for my money.
