Alright, let's dive deep into this matchup between the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT and the Realme C61. On paper, these phones appear to be in different weight classes, but it's always worth exploring how these specs translate to the real world.
Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these phones stack up, with a focus on what it actually means for you:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT | Realme C61 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is taller, slightly wider, but thinner. Poco X3 GT is a bit more compact, thicker and may feel more hefty. |
| Weight | 193g | 188g | Realme C61 is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | Realme C61 offers a slightly larger viewing area, good for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | Xiaomi’s display is much sharper, offering a clearer, more detailed visual experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 399 | 260 | Xiaomi delivers much crisper text and images, which you will notice daily. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar technology which provides decent colors and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi will offer smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm) | Xiaomi's chip is substantially faster, handling demanding tasks and multitasking much better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 745,283 | 252,597 | Massive difference, Poco X3 GT is a true performer while the Realme C61 struggles with heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Xiaomi provides significantly better graphics, suitable for modern mobile gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.79) | 32MP (f/1.8) | Xiaomi captures higher resolution photos with a slightly wider aperture, better low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.45) | 5MP (f/2.0) | Xiaomi takes much more detailed selfies with much better resolution, but slightly narrower aperture |
| Portrait Camera | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme C61 has dedicated depth sensing for portrait photos |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi can record in higher resolution for detailed videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Similar battery sizes, expect comparable battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Xiaomi will recharge much faster, saving you time waiting around a wall socket. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme C61 runs a much newer OS out of the box |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Xiaomi supports the newer standard, offering faster connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.0 LE | Xiaomi offers a newer version with more advanced codecs for audio. |
| Storage | Up to 256GB | Up to 256GB | Both offer similar storage options with no expandable option |
| RAM | 8GB | 4/6/8GB | Realme provides flexible RAM options. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi offers superior audio quality with additional advanced features |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Xiaomi offers improved screen durability. |
Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT
- Strengths: The X3 GT is a clear winner in performance, with a superior chipset, GPU, and benchmark scores. Its display is also much sharper and smoother, and it has faster charging, better audio, more advanced video options, and more robust connectivity. Overall this device provides excellent value for money.
- Competitive Advantages: It's a performance-focused phone with a high refresh rate display, fast charging, and better cameras, making it well-suited for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Trade-offs: It is not running the latest version of Android, it's slightly thicker, and lacks expandable storage.
Realme C61
- Strengths: The Realme C61 has a slightly larger display, a newer version of Android, and a dedicated depth camera and is slightly lighter and thinner which some may prefer.
- Competitive Advantages: The C61 has a modern OS out of the box.
- Trade-offs: It falls far behind in performance, display quality, charging speed, camera capabilities, and Wi-Fi speed.
User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 GT
- Best for: Gamers, power users, and anyone who values performance. Great for people who consume a lot of media and need fast charging capabilities and smooth UI.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, video recording, and high-quality content consumption.
Realme C61
- Best for: Users on a budget who need a basic smartphone experience with a large display, a newer version of Android and a focus on simplicity.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, basic social media, and media consumption.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If you plan on doing any serious gaming or demanding tasks, the Xiaomi X3 GT is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize the latest version of Android? If that's a big deal, the Realme C61 has a newer version out of the box.
- How often do you plan to take photos/videos? The Poco X3 GT has far better camera specs than the C61.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer: Go with the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT. Its superior performance and 120Hz display make it much better suited for gaming.
- For the Budget-Conscious User: The Realme C61 is more affordable and sufficient for basic tasks.
- For Media Consumers: The Xiaomi Poco X3 GT is the superior choice for consuming media with it's much better display and more immersive speakers, additionally it supports high resolution video recording.
My Choice
If I had to pick, I would go for the Xiaomi Poco X3 GT. Its superior performance, higher-quality display, faster charging, better cameras and enhanced audio features make it a much more versatile and future-proof device. While it might not have the latest Android version out of the box, the performance gains and overall user experience are well worth it. The Realme C61 feels like a considerable compromise in many key areas. The X3 GT is a champion in it's own right.
