1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly more compact and thinner, making it a bit more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 215g | 225g | Poco X3 NFC is slightly lighter, but the difference is minimal and unlikely to be noticeable for most users. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly better scratch and drop resistance, providing enhanced durability. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution, leading to similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both displays will appear equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | ROG Phone 8 Pro's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a much more visually appealing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in fast-paced games and UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro's display is much brighter, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Poco X3 NFC brightness data is missing, hindering comparison. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly more powerful chipset, enabling faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 328,145 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers dramatically better performance, handling demanding tasks and games with ease. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visual fidelity. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger sensor size should result in better low-light performance, despite the lower megapixel count. |
| Ultrawide | 13MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Both have ultrawide capabilities but ROG Phone 8 Pro combines it with Macro capabilities. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better image quality at a distance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro selfie camera offers higher resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides higher resolution video recording and more advanced stabilization features, making it suitable for content creators. |
| Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS, OIS, Gimbal | ROG Phone 8 Pro has much better video stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, especially during intensive use. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a more up-to-date Android version, providing access to the latest features, security updates, and app compatibility. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for improved performance and efficiency. |
| 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 Pro offers more comprehensive GPS support for improved location accuracy in various environments. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 512GB/1024GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more internal storage, allowing users to store more files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 16/24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and improved performance with demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so the built-in storage is the limit. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:
- Potentially lower price: This phone is significantly older, and would be priced lower than the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Slightly lighter weight: 10g lighter may be beneficial to some.
- Wider lens camera: Useful for landscape photography, however, lacks modern quality found in ROG phone.
Practical Implications: This phone is older, but would be a good choice for those on a tight budget and looking for basic smartphone functionality.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, 165Hz, and High Brightness
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, 8K video, better stabilization.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: 5500mAh and 65W
- Up-to-date Software: Android 14
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
- More Storage and RAM: 512GB/1TB and 16/24 GB
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Practical Implications: This phone is a powerhouse, offering top-of-the-line performance, a stunning display, and advanced features for gaming, content creation, and everyday use.
Trade-offs:
- The ROG Phone 8 Pro will be significantly more expensive than the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and light social media use.
- Use Cases: Students, elderly users, or anyone looking for a cheap and reliable phone for basic communication.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, content creators, power users who demand the best performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, photography, streaming, and any other demanding task.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a premium device and will cost significantly more than the Poco X3 NFC.
- What are your primary use cases? If you mainly need a phone for basic communication and casual use, the Poco X3 NFC may suffice. If you plan on gaming, content creation, or other demanding tasks, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a better choice.
- How important are the latest features and performance? The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers cutting-edge technology, while the Poco X3 NFC is an older device with more limited capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User with Moderate Needs: The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC can get the job done, however, if you value a smooth experience, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the better choice.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the price difference is substantial, the improvements in almost every aspect of the phone make it a worthwhile investment. The superior display, significantly more powerful performance, advanced camera system, larger battery with faster charging, and up-to-date software and connectivity features provide a dramatically better user experience. While the Poco X3 NFC serves its purpose as a budget device, the ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers a flagship experience that is well worth the extra cost for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
