1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | The P50 Pro is more compact and pocketable, making it easier to handle, especially for smaller hands. The Poco X3 NFC is larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 215g | 195g | The P50 Pro is noticeably lighter, improving comfort during prolonged use. |
| Build Material | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | The Poco X3 NFC offers known screen protection, potentially reducing risk of scratches and cracks. The P50 Pro screen protection is unknown so it is hard to say if it is better or worse. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Minimal difference in screen real estate. Both are large, suitable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1228x2700 | The P50 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, enhancing the viewing experience for photos, videos, and text. |
| PPI | 395 | 450 | Higher pixel density on the P50 Pro translates to crisper images and text, reducing eye strain. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED technology on the P50 Pro delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the LCD on the Poco X3 NFC. This makes the P50 Pro more visually appealing. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have an identical peak brightness at 0 nits which makes it impossible to compare. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | The Kirin 9000 in the P50 Pro is significantly more powerful, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 328,145 | 697,566 | The P50 Pro delivers a much snappier and responsive user experience, especially with demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G78 MP24 | The Mali-G78 MP24 in the P50 Pro offers superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better visual fidelity in games and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor | The P50 Pro's larger sensor and wider aperture may result in better low-light performance and dynamic range, despite the lower megapixel count. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.4, 1/2" sensor | The P50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without significant quality loss. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 13MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor (Wide Angle + Macro) | Both offer ultrawide capabilities |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Poco X3 NFC has a dedicated macro lens, but the quality may not be great due to low resolution. P50 Pro can also do macro but with the Wide Angle + Macro camera lens. |
| Black & White | None | 40MP, f/1.6, 1/1.7" sensor | The P50 Pro captures more detailed black and white photos |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.4 | Poco X3 NFC has a higher megapixel selfie camera, but the P50 Pro's image processing might still provide better results. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The P50 Pro can record video in 4K at 60fps for smoother video. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS + OIS | The P50 Pro's OIS provides superior video stabilization, reducing shake and blur in handheld recordings. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, Digital zoom | Quadruple Camera, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Panorama, RAW | The P50 Pro provides more professional camera features. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 143, Selfie: 144 | The P50 Pro has an excellent camera with high scores |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4360mAh | The Poco X3 NFC is likely to have a longer battery life, especially under heavy use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | The P50 Pro charges much faster, and offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Unknown (Likely HarmonyOS) | Poco X3 NFC runs Android, providing access to Google Play Store and services. Huawei P50 Pro likely runs HarmonyOS (or a version of Android without Google Services), meaning you can't use google apps. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The P50 Pro can achieve faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Minor differences, both offer modern Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The P50 Pro supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | The P50 Pro offers more internal storage options, beneficial for users with large media libraries or numerous apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | No option to expand storage on either phone. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Likely better battery life for extended usage.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides a degree of protection against damage.
- Android OS with Google Services: Full access to the Google Play Store and associated services.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Kirin 9000 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities.
- Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and OLED technology provide a more vibrant and sharper viewing experience.
- More Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera setup with telephoto lens, OIS, and advanced features for better photo and video quality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging offer greater convenience.
- More Storage Options: Available in higher storage configurations (up to 512GB).
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 NFC: Trade-off of performance and display quality for a lower price and better battery life.
- P50 Pro: Trade-off of battery life and potentially software usability (due to HarmonyOS or Android without Google Services) for superior performance, camera, and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance.
- Users who value battery life: Needs a phone that can last through a full day of heavy use.
- Users who rely on Google services: Requires seamless integration with Google Play Store and apps.
- Example Use Cases:
- Students or young professionals on a budget.
- Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Travellers who need a long-lasting battery.
Huawei P50 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography enthusiasts: Values camera quality and features above all else.
- Performance seekers: Wants a phone that can handle demanding games and applications without lag.
- Users who appreciate a premium display: Enjoys watching videos and viewing photos on a vibrant and sharp screen.
- Users invested in the Huawei ecosystem (if applicable): Benefits from seamless integration with other Huawei devices.
- Example Use Cases:
- Professional photographers or videographers.
- Mobile gamers.
- Users who consume a lot of media on their phone.
- Business users who need a powerful and versatile device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Poco X3 NFC is significantly cheaper.
- How important is camera quality to you? The P50 Pro offers a more versatile and advanced camera system.
- Do you heavily rely on Google services? If yes, the Poco X3 NFC is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Need a Reliable Phone: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC. It offers good value for its price, with a decent display, long battery life, and access to Google services.
- Scenario 2: Photography is a Priority: Choose the Huawei P50 Pro. Its advanced camera system, OIS, and versatile lens options deliver excellent image and video quality.
- Scenario 3: Performance Matters Most: Choose the Huawei P50 Pro. The Kirin 9000 chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming and demanding applications.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei P50 Pro, even with the potential lack of Google Services. The significantly better performance, superior display, and more advanced camera system are worth the trade-offs. While the Poco X3 NFC is a great budget option, the P50 Pro offers a more premium and capable experience for demanding users. Although I use Google Services, I am able to work around this issue to use the superior phone with an amazing camera.
