1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The Nubia Z50S Pro is slightly more compact and noticeably thinner, making it potentially more comfortable to hold and pocket. |
| Weight | 215g | 228g | The Poco X3 NFC is slightly lighter, but the difference is probably negligible. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Nubia Z50S Pro offers a marginally larger viewing area, which may be preferable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | The Nubia Z50S Pro has a sharper and more detailed display, leading to a better visual experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 452 | Text and images will appear crisper on the Nubia Z50S Pro. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The AMOLED screen on the Nubia Z50S Pro offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. It is also more power-efficient when using dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The Nubia Z50S Pro is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco X3 NFC has known screen protection, Nubia's is unknown so assume less protection |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Nubia Z50S Pro offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 328,145 | 1,579,720 | The Nubia Z50S Pro's benchmark score is much higher and translates to a far more responsive and capable device overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 740 | The Nubia Z50S Pro has a much more powerful GPU, allowing for higher frame rates and better graphics in demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.7" | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" | Nubia has wider aperture and larger sensor size, better low light. Poco has higher res but this isn't as important |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Nubia Z50S Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for better quality zoomed-in photos. |
| Ultrawide | 13MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0 | Nubia is significantly better in this regard. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" | Poco has the edge here with res and aperture, it could perform better in low light. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Poco is fine for macro, but not essential |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | The Nubia Z50S Pro offers far superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and frame rates. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS, Gimbal | The Nubia Z50S Pro features optical image stabilization (OIS) and a gimbal, resulting in smoother and more stable videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5100mAh | Battery life is expected to be similar between the two phones. |
| Charging | 33W | 80W | The Nubia Z50S Pro charges much faster, getting you back up and running quicker. |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64/128GB | 256GB/1024GB | The Nubia Z50S Pro provides significantly more storage space, which is ideal for storing large files, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | The Nubia Z50S Pro offers more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and improved performance with demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Nubia Z50S Pro supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Nubia Z50S Pro has Bluetooth 5.3 meaning lower power consumption and a more stable and quicker connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Nubia Z50S Pro offers more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:
- Lower Price: The Poco X3 NFC is significantly cheaper.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Practical Implications: Ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality over top-tier performance and features.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset provides significantly faster processing power and smoother multitasking.
- Better Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness.
- Superior Camera System: Better video, ultrawide and stabilisation.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging.
- More Storage and RAM: Larger storage capacity and RAM.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.
Practical Implications: Offers a premium experience with better performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall responsiveness.
Trade-offs:
- The Nubia Z50S Pro is heavier and more expensive.
- The Poco X3 NFC is older, which could impact software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, students, or anyone who needs a reliable phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday communication.
- Casual gaming.
- Basic photography.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent for users who prioritize affordability.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, content creators, or anyone who demands the best performance and features.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Video editing and content creation.
- Multitasking with resource-intensive apps.
- Price-to-Value: Justified for users who require top-of-the-line performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco X3 NFC is significantly cheaper.
- How important is performance? The Nubia Z50S Pro offers a much faster processor and more RAM.
- What are your primary use cases? If you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming or content creation, the Nubia Z50S Pro is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget: If you're on a strict budget, the Poco X3 NFC is a reliable and affordable option.
- Scenario 2: Performance Matters: If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, the Nubia Z50S Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: If you prioritize camera quality, especially for video recording, the Nubia Z50S Pro provides a superior experience.
My Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro.
While the Poco X3 NFC is more budget-friendly, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. The Nubia Z50S Pro offers a far superior user experience with its faster processor, better display, and more capable camera system. As someone who values performance, enjoys mobile gaming, and occasionally creates content, the Nubia Z50S Pro aligns better with my needs. The faster charging and increased storage are also significant advantages.
