Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Apple iPhone 16 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.8 mm | The Poco X3 Pro is taller and thicker, feeling bulkier in hand; the iPhone 16 Plus is thinner and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 215g | 199g | The iPhone 16 Plus is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Minimal difference in size, both offer large screens for immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1290x2796 | The iPhone 16 Plus has a significantly sharper and clearer display with much higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 460 | The iPhone 16 Plus display looks noticeably sharper and detailed, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The iPhone 16 Plus has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors due to its OLED display compared to the IPS LCD of the Poco X3 Pro. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The Poco X3 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience, especially for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 16 Plus is significantly brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Apple A18 (3 nm) | The A18 in the iPhone 16 Plus is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 1,753,018 | The iPhone 16 Plus exhibits dramatically better overall performance in benchmarks, indicating much higher real-world speeds. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | The iPhone 16 Plus GPU is more powerful, providing a smoother and richer graphic experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3" sensor | The iPhone 16 Plus has a larger sensor and wider aperture, which will lead to better low-light performance and better overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 12MP, f/1.9 | The iPhone 16 Plus has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. Pixel size for the iPhone 16 Plus is unknown |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | No Wide Angle Lens | The Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing broader landscapes. The iPhone 16 Plus has a separate wide + macro camera. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No Depth Lens | The Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated portrait (depth) lens to generate background blur for artistic photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No Macro Lens | The Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated macro lens to take extreme close-up images. The iPhone 16 Plus has a separate wide + macro camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No Wide Angle + Macro | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | The iPhone 16 Plus offers wide and macro capabilities through a single combined lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, various modes | 4K@60fps with HDR, various modes | The iPhone 16 Plus has broader and more sophisticated video modes with HDR support and better video stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4674mAh | The Poco X3 Pro has a slightly larger battery capacity, potentially offering slightly longer battery life, although this can vary greatly based on usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging, 25W Wireless Charging | The Poco X3 Pro charges faster with a 33W charger, while the iPhone 16 Plus also offers wireless charging. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 12 | iOS 18 | The iPhone 16 Plus has the latest iOS version while the Poco X3 Pro runs Android with limited future updates. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6E | The iPhone 16 Plus has much faster Wi-Fi speeds with newer standards and access to the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The iPhone 16 Plus has a newer Bluetooth standard for more efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | The iPhone 16 Plus has more accurate location tracking with a broader set of supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The iPhone 16 Plus offers eSIM for greater flexibility, while the Poco X3 Pro uses two physical SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | The iPhone 16 Plus provides options for higher storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | The iPhone 16 Plus ensures smooth multitasking with its 8 GB of RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The iPhone 16 Plus has more refined audio with Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. The Poco X3 Pro offers Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The Poco X3 Pro includes a physical fingerprint sensor for quick access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | The Poco X3 Pro has a durable screen with Gorilla Glass 6 protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Both have core motion sensors, the Poco X3 Pro adds a Fingerprint sensor; and Apple adds a Proximity sensor and Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid visual experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Multiple Cameras: Has macro, portrait, and wide-angle camera lenses for versatility.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers high fidelity audio for audiophiles.
- Physical Fingerprint Sensor: Offers convenience and speed compared to only basic security on the iPhone 16 Plus.
- More Affordable: Likely to be significantly more affordable than the iPhone 16 Plus (though actual prices were not provided).
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Display Quality: OLED panel with higher resolution, brightness, and pixel density, providing a sharper and more vibrant viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Apple A18 chip is considerably more powerful, offering smoother operation, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Better Camera Quality: Larger sensor, wider aperture, and image processing on the main and selfie cameras result in better photos and videos, particularly in low-light situations.
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro Camera: More versatile single camera that allows both wide and macro shots.
- Newer Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 provide better performance and efficiency.
- Wireless Charging: Ability to charge wirelessly.
- Better Video Recording: Better stabilization and wider video options with HDR support.
- More accurate GPS: Supports more GPS systems for accurate location services.
- Latest iOS: Access to the latest software updates and features.
- Refined Audio: Dolby Atmos and noise-canceling microphones improve the audio experience.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco X3 Pro's faster display refresh rate comes at the cost of inferior display technology and sharpness compared to the iPhone.
- The iPhone 16 Plus offers a premium experience with better performance and image quality, but it lacks a high refresh rate display and has a higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizing value for money over top-tier features.
- Gamers: Benefits from a smoother refresh rate display and fast charging.
- Casual Photographers: Looking for a versatile camera system with various lens options.
- Users who enjoy customizability: Android OS gives greater ability to customize and access files.
- Users who need Dual Physical SIM: For those who need two physical sim cards for their phone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on a budget.
- Everyday media consumption.
- Multi-tasking with standard apps.
- Social media and basic photography.
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Requiring top-tier performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Photography & Videography Focused: Looking for high-quality photo and video capture capabilities.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those integrated with Apple's ecosystem.
- Users Seeking Premium Experience: Preferring refined software, high-quality display, and excellent build.
- Users who need eSIM: For those who want the flexibility of digital switching or travel purposes.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Demanding mobile productivity and video editing.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco X3 Pro offers more features for a lower cost, making it a great value choice for budget-conscious users.
- The iPhone 16 Plus represents a premium option with top-tier features at a higher price, justifying its costs for those seeking peak mobile performance and camera experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco X3 Pro will be significantly cheaper, making it a better value choice for some.
- What is your primary use case? Gaming and general use might benefit from the Poco's refresh rate; photography/video and performance benefit the iPhone's capabilities.
- What ecosystem are you in? If you're heavily invested in Apple products and services, the iPhone 16 Plus will be a more seamless experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Gaming: If your primary concern is smooth gaming on a budget, the Poco X3 Pro is the better choice due to its 120Hz display, fast charging, and performance at the price point.
- Scenario 2: High-Quality Photography & Videography: If photography and videography are critical, the iPhone 16 Plus's superior camera system and enhanced video features make it the better option, alongside enhanced audio.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User with Budget Constraints: The Poco X3 Pro is ideal for general use, providing a balance of performance, features, and affordability.
- Scenario 4: Professional User in Apple Ecosystem: The iPhone 16 Plus will be ideal with its top-tier performance, seamless integration with Apple devices, and more refined experience with features like Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Apple iPhone 16 Plus. While I appreciate the Poco X3 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate, faster charging and lower price, the overall experience of the iPhone 16 Plus outweighs the value proposition for me. The significantly superior performance, coupled with the outstanding display quality, better camera, and more modern software ecosystem, provides a much more premium and long-lasting user experience. Although the higher price is a consideration, the investment in the iPhone 16 Plus would provide better performance for demanding tasks, better photography and videography, and better longevity thanks to ongoing software updates. Also the inclusion of the combined wide angle + macro camera makes the camera more versatile overall. My decision is based on prioritizing top-tier performance and high-quality camera capabilities over cost savings, knowing the iPhone 16 Plus is better suited for long-term use with its superior features.
