1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | ROG Phone 8 is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle, though differences are minor. |
| Weight | 215g | 225g | Poco X3 NFC is slightly lighter. The difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 screen is more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 offers a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ROG Phone 8 provides deeper blacks, richer colors, and better power efficiency (especially with dark mode). |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Poco X3 NFC brightness is not stated. ROG Phone 8 is significantly brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. It's also more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 328,145 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 has much higher performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 provides a vastly superior graphics processing capability, essential for demanding games and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | ROG Phone 8 allows for more apps to run simultaneously without slowdowns, especially beneficial for multitasking and heavy users. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | The Poco X3 NFC has a higher megapixel count, but the ROG Phone 8 has a larger sensor. Likely better low-light performance on the ROG Phone 8, despite the lower megapixel count. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Both provide ultrawide capability, however the ROG phone combines this with macro functionality. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 8 provides more detailed close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 produces higher-resolution selfies. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with EIS | ROG Phone 8 can record much higher resolution and frame rate videos, offering more professional-grade video capabilities. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS & OIS & Gimbal | ROG Phone 8 provides much smoother video, especially in shaky conditions, due to Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Gimbal. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 offers slightly longer battery life, but the difference isn't huge. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Middle Middle Tab Technology | The Poco X3 NFC feature is unclarified. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 14 (up to 16) | ROG Phone 8 offers a more up-to-date operating system and will receive updates for a longer period, ensuring better security and access to new features. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 takes advantage of updated wifi technology. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 8 supports more satellite systems for more precise location tracking, especially in urban canyons. |
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB | ROG Phone 8 offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows storage expansion. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:
- Potentially lower price: As an older mid-range phone, it's likely significantly cheaper.
- Slightly lighter weight: Can be marginally more comfortable for prolonged holding, but difference is minimal.
Practical Implications:
- The lower price makes it accessible to budget-conscious users.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Significantly faster performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a vastly superior experience in all tasks.
- Superior display: AMOLED with a higher refresh rate and brightness is visually much better.
- Better camera system: OIS, Gimbal, higher video resolution, and quality ultrawide lens create a more versatile and capable camera.
- Longer software support: Newer Android version ensures more features and security updates.
- More RAM and storage: Enables smoother multitasking and more storage for files.
- Faster Charging: Quicker to charge, meaning less downtime waiting for the battery to fill up.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
Practical Implications:
- A much smoother, more responsive user experience.
- Better-looking photos and videos.
- Future-proofed performance for demanding apps and games.
- Longer lifespan due to software updates and high-end components.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The ROG Phone 8 is significantly more expensive.
- Slightly heavier: The weight difference is not significant, however it is still heavier than the Poco X3 NFC.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality.
- Use Cases: Casual social media browsing, basic photography, calling, and texting.
- Price-to-Value: Provides acceptable performance for the price, targeting affordability over high-end features.
Asus ROG Phone 8:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, content creators, and anyone who values performance and features.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, photography, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Price-to-Value: Justified for users who need top-tier performance and a comprehensive feature set, but may be overkill for basic use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The price difference is likely significant.
- What will I primarily use the phone for? Basic tasks vs. gaming/content creation.
- How important are future-proofing and software updates?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC for its affordability.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance are Priority: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 for its superior performance and gaming features.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Needs, Value Performance: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8
At the end, write what you would choose and explain why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8. While the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers a budget-friendly option, the ROG Phone 8's advantages in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and software support are too significant to ignore. As someone who values a smooth and responsive user experience, enjoys mobile gaming, and appreciates high-quality photos and videos, the ROG Phone 8 would be a worthwhile investment. The superior performance and future-proofing capabilities would ensure that the phone remains relevant and usable for a longer period, ultimately providing better value for the money despite the higher initial cost.
