Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC vs TCL 40 SE - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
TCL 40 SE
TCL 40 SE
Tcl

General

Launch Date September 8, 2020 April 4, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 119.33 cm³ 109.18 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.1 "/g 3.55 "/g
Weight 215 g 190 g
Height 165.3 mm 167.9 mm
Width 76.8 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 9.4 mm 8.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Shadow Gray
  • Dark grey
  • Twilight purple

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.75 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.6 % 85.6 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 260 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 450 nits 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 115.98 mAh/in² 109.96 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.24 mAh/cm³ 45.89 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5160 mAh 5010 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 618 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 13
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Dimensions165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mmTCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thinner, potentially making it feel more modern. Poco X3 NFC is thicker, impacting in-hand feel.
Weight215g190gTCL 40 SE is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Size6.67"6.75"Minimal difference in screen size, negligible impact on user experience.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, better for viewing photos, videos, and reading text.
PPI395260Higher PPI on Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC translates to crisper visuals, reducing pixelation and improving readability.
TechnologyIPS LCDIPS LCDSimilar viewing angles and color reproduction.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzXiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall fluidity of the user interface and gaming experience.
Brightness0 nits900 nitsTCL 40 SE is significantly brighter, resulting in better visibility under direct sunlight. The brightness for Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is missing.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score328,145160,000Quantifies the performance difference; Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is much faster in real-world usage.
GPUAdreno 618PowerVR GE8320Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC has a superior GPU, crucial for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel50MP, f/1.85, sensor unknown, 0.70 µm pixelXiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers higher resolution and a larger sensor, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low light. TCL 40 SE has a slightly wider aperture.
Selfie Camera20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor, 1.60 µm pixel8MP, f/2.0, sensor unknown, pixel size unknownXiaomi Poco X3 NFC captures more detailed selfies, especially in good lighting. TCL 40 SE has a slightly wider aperture.
Wide Angle Lens13MP, f/2.2, sensor unknown, 1.00 µm pixelNoneXiaomi Poco X3 NFC allows for capturing wider scenes in photos.
Video Recording4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps1080p@30fpsXiaomi Poco X3 NFC can record higher-resolution videos with more frame rate options, resulting in sharper and smoother footage. It also supports a higher slow-motion framerate.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Capacity5160mAh5010mAhVery similar battery life.
Charging33W fast charging18W fast chargingXiaomi Poco X3 NFC charges significantly faster, reducing downtime.
FeaturesNon-removable, Middle Middle Tab TechnologyNon-removableXiaomi Poco X3 NFC's "Middle Middle Tab Technology" might offer slight improvements in battery longevity, but the impact is likely minimal for most users.

Storage

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCTCL 40 SEPractical Impact
Internal64GB/128GB128GB/256GBTCL 40 SE offers a higher maximum storage option (256GB), which is beneficial for users who store a lot of photos, videos, and apps. However, some models of the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC have lower storage, this depends on which model you choose.
RAM6GB/8GB4GB/6GBXiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers more RAM (8GB option), leading to smoother multitasking and less app reloading.
ExpandableNoNoNo option to increase storage capacity on either phone.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 732G chipset offers a much smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and demanding apps.
  • Superior display: Higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provide a sharper, more fluid visual experience.
  • Better camera system: Higher resolution sensors, wide-angle lens, and 4K video recording capabilities offer more versatility and image quality.
  • Faster charging: 33W charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • More RAM: The 8GB RAM option improves multitasking.
  • Better Audio: Noise cancellation microphone & 2 microphones

Practical Implications: The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is a better choice for users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and fast charging. It's suitable for gaming, media consumption, and photography.

TCL 40 SE Advantages:

  • Lighter and thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry.
  • Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer version of Android.
  • Brighter display: Better outdoor visibility.
  • Higher maximum internal storage (256GB option): Useful for users who need a lot of space for media and files.

Practical Implications: The TCL 40 SE is a better choice for users who prioritize a lightweight design, a more recent Android version, and need a brighter screen for outdoor use.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC: Older Android Version, Heavier
  • TCL 40 SE: Significantly lower performance, lower resolution display, inferior camera system, slower charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Ideal Users:

  • Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate display provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.
  • Photography enthusiasts: The versatile camera system and 4K video recording capabilities offer more creative options.
  • Power users: The faster processor and ample RAM allow for smooth multitasking and running demanding applications.
  • Media consumers: The high-resolution display enhances the viewing experience for videos and photos.

Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC:

  • Playing graphics-intensive mobile games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
  • Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or personal use.
  • Editing photos and videos on the go.
  • Streaming videos and movies in high resolution.
  • Multitasking between multiple apps without lag.

TCL 40 SE Ideal Users:

  • Budget-conscious buyers: Prioritize affordability over performance.
  • Users who prioritize weight and ergonomics: Prefer a lighter and thinner phone for comfortable everyday use.
  • Users needing a bright display: Need to see the screen clearly in sunlight.

Specific Use Cases for TCL 40 SE:

  • Basic communication (calls, texts, emails).
  • Casual web browsing and social media.
  • Watching videos in moderate lighting conditions.
  • Users who need more storage for large media files.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC generally offers a better price-to-value ratio due to its significantly superior performance and features, assuming it is available at a comparable price point. The TCL 40 SE might be a better value if it is significantly cheaper and the user's needs are very basic.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:

  1. How important is performance for my daily use? (Gaming, multitasking, demanding apps)
  2. How important is display quality? (Sharpness, smoothness, outdoor visibility)
  3. What is my budget? (Consider the price difference and whether the extra features are worth the cost)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Gaming and Media Consumption - Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC for its superior performance, display, and audio.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Basic Use - Choose the TCL 40 SE if the price is significantly lower and you only need basic functionality.
  • Scenario 3: Outdoor Use - The TCL 40 SE might be preferable due to its high brightness. However, if you will do other tasks, such as gaming, the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC would be better.

My Choice

I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC. Even though it's an older phone, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The Snapdragon 732G and the 120Hz display make the user experience much smoother and more enjoyable for gaming, browsing, and general use. The camera is also significantly better, and the faster charging is a big plus. While the TCL 40 SE is lighter and has a brighter display, the overall performance and user experience of the Poco X3 NFC are far superior, making it worth the trade-offs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.