1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mm | TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thinner, potentially making it feel more modern. Poco X3 NFC is thicker, impacting in-hand feel. |
Weight | 215g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
Display
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.67" | 6.75" | Minimal difference in screen size, negligible impact on user experience. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, better for viewing photos, videos, and reading text. |
PPI | 395 | 260 | Higher PPI on Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC translates to crisper visuals, reducing pixelation and improving readability. |
Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar viewing angles and color reproduction. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall fluidity of the user interface and gaming experience. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 40 SE is significantly brighter, resulting in better visibility under direct sunlight. The brightness for Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is missing. |
Performance
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Qualcomm 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 Score | 328,145 | 160,000 | Quantifies the performance difference; Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is much faster in real-world usage. |
GPU | Adreno 618 | PowerVR GE8320 | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC has a superior GPU, crucial for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
Camera
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel | 50MP, f/1.85, sensor unknown, 0.70 µm pixel | Xiaomi 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 Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor, 1.60 µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.0, sensor unknown, pixel size unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC captures more detailed selfies, especially in good lighting. TCL 40 SE has a slightly wider aperture. |
Wide Angle Lens | 13MP, f/2.2, sensor unknown, 1.00 µm pixel | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC allows for capturing wider scenes in photos. |
Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi 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
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 5160mAh | 5010mAh | Very similar battery life. |
Charging | 33W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Features | Non-removable, Middle Middle Tab Technology | Non-removable | Xiaomi 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
Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | TCL 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. |
RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC offers more RAM (8GB option), leading to smoother multitasking and less app reloading. |
Expandable | No | No | No 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:
- How important is performance for my daily use? (Gaming, multitasking, demanding apps)
- How important is display quality? (Sharpness, smoothness, outdoor visibility)
- 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.