Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Asus Zenfone 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | Asus Zenfone 8 is significantly more compact, pocketable, and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 215g | 169g | Asus Zenfone 8 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 5.9" | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution, resulting in similar level of detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 446 PPI | Asus Zenfone 8 has a sharper display, with finer detail and less pixelation, especially noticeable in text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Asus Zenfone 8's AMOLED screen has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Asus Zenfone 8 is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus Zenfone 8 provides noticeably faster app loading, smoother gaming, and more efficient performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 891,700 | Asus Zenfone 8 has a higher benchmark score, indicating superior performance capabilities. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 660 | Asus Zenfone 8's GPU provides enhanced graphics for demanding applications and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" sensor | Asus Zenfone 8 offers higher resolution, larger sensor for better detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93" sensor | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has higher MP count but Asus Zenfone 8 has larger sensor for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | Not Available | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro allows for ultra-wide photos, while Asus Zenfone 8 does not offer a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP | Not Available | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro provides dedicated depth sensing for better portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not Available | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro enables close up macro photography. |
| Wide+Macro | Not Available | 12MP | Asus Zenfone 8 has a combination wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Asus Zenfone 8 has higher video recording resolution. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Dual Camera | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers a dedicated depth and macro lens whereas the Asus Zenfone 8 has a wide+macro lens. |
| OIS | No | Yes | Asus Zenfone 8 has optical image stabilization, resulting in smoother videos and sharper photos. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 116 | Asus Zenfone 8 camera has a good performance rating by DXOMark |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4000mAh | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 30W | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers slightly faster charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgrade to 12 | Android 11, upgrade to 13 | Asus Zenfone 8 will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Asus Zenfone 8 provides faster, more stable Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Asus Zenfone 8 features a more modern version, offering better connectivity and battery efficiency. |
| GPS | Basic Support | More Satellites | Asus Zenfone 8 has more comprehensive GPS support, leading to more accurate positioning. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage capacities, but neither has expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8/12/16 GB | Asus Zenfone 8 offers more RAM, particularly in the higher-end variants. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo | Hi-Res, Stereo, 3 Mics | Asus Zenfone 8 offers more advanced audio features such as noise cancellation and 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus Zenfone 8 provides superior screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption and gaming.
- Larger Battery: Likely longer battery life for all-day use.
- Dedicated Lenses: Offers a wide angle, macro, and depth lens
- Side Mounted Fingerprint sensor: Some users might prefer this placement
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher brightness, sharper text and more vibrant colors.
- Faster Processor: Provides faster app loading, smoother gaming, and overall better performance.
- Superior Camera: Higher resolution main sensor, better low light performance and video features (8k recording & OIS).
- More RAM Options: Up to 16GB, enabling better multitasking.
- Better connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for more efficient connections.
- More comprehensive GPS: Greater accuracy due to more satellite support.
- Better software support: More likely to get future software updates
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus for better scratch resistance.
- Better audio quality: Noise cancellation and 3 microphones provide clearer sound
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro trades the premium display, camera, and processing power for a lower price.
- The Asus Zenfone 8 compromises a slightly smaller battery and larger screen for enhanced performance, camera capabilities, and a more compact design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a large screen for media consumption.
- Users who want to play games on a larger display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and don't need the top-tier chipset
- Users who value the additional lenses of wide angle, macro and depth sensors for photo versatility.
Use Cases:
- Daily multimedia consumption like video streaming and social media browsing.
- Casual gaming with a large screen.
- Users who prefer to use a physical fingerprint reader as it has side mounted fingerprint sensor
Asus Zenfone 8 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a compact design.
- Those who desire a premium display experience with better brightness and contrast.
- Users who need a powerful and portable device for demanding tasks, including gaming and content creation.
- Those who value advanced connectivity and better software support for a longer use.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and professional video editing with 8k support.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight
- Users looking for the best possible camera performance on mobile.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do I prioritize a large screen and battery life, or a compact size and better performance?
- Is a premium display and camera more important than price?
- Do I require the latest connectivity options and software support?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget and Battery Life is King: If budget is your top concern and you need long battery life, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Above All: If you need the best possible performance and a top tier mobile camera, and prioritize a compact form factor, choose the Asus Zenfone 8.
- Scenario 3: Balance of Features: If you need a more balanced approach with decent performance, great display and camera while retaining a relatively budget, then the Asus Zenfone 8 is better.
What I would choose and why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Asus Zenfone 8. My reasons are as follows:
- Performance: As a power user, I appreciate the faster Snapdragon 888 chipset, which would translate to a noticeably smoother experience in daily use and while playing games.
- Display: I watch a lot of content on my phone and the vibrant colours and higher brightness of the AMOLED display on the Asus Zenfone 8 would make it a much more pleasant experience.
- Camera: I frequently use my phone camera for both photos and videos. The 64MP camera with OIS on the Asus Zenfone 8, plus its ability to record in 8K, makes it the superior option for my needs.
- Compactness: I find that larger phones can be cumbersome. The Asus Zenfone 8's smaller size makes it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time.
Although the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers a bigger battery and display, the advantages of the Zenfone 8’s speed, camera, display and compactness are more important to me.
