Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Blackview A96
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | Poco X3 Pro is larger and thicker, might feel less comfortable for smaller hands or pocket use. |
| Weight | 215g | 193.9g | Blackview A96 is noticeably lighter, better for extended use without fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Poco X3 Pro has a slightly larger screen, better for immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals, no noticeable difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 405 | Very similar pixel density, both provide a sharp display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar viewing experience, good color reproduction but not as vibrant as AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Note: Brightness spec is missing. We are assuming similar brightness values given both phones use similar panel technology. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 423,393 | Poco X3 Pro scores higher, indicating better overall performance and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco X3 Pro's Adreno 640 offers better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2 | Blackview A96's slightly wider aperture (f/1.6) might allow for slightly better low-light performance, though overall photo quality will depend on processing. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 16MP, 1/3", Hynix HI-1634 | Poco X3 Pro's higher resolution may capture slightly more detail; the Blackview's larger sensor might result in better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture which might mean better low light performance. |
| Depth | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | N/A | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both are similar with 2MP macro cameras, not very high quality but useful for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@up to 960fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Poco X3 Pro offers higher resolution 4K recording, more frame rate options and higher slow-motion capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4380mAh | Poco X3 Pro's larger battery offers significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Poco X3 Pro charges faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgrade to 12 | Android 13 | Blackview A96 ships with a newer OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both provide similar Wi-Fi performance, with the Poco X3 Pro having MiMO for faster data transfer. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, aptX, LDAC | 5.0 | Poco X3 Pro has enhanced Bluetooth codecs that offer superior wireless audio experience. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco X3 Pro has additional satellite support which may lead to more accurate location tracking in some conditions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Blackview A96 can offer slightly better performance in heavy multi-tasking scenarios, depending on the RAM version purchased. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers the possibility to expand the storage space via a microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Poco X3 Pro has a slight edge in audio quality with Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have comparable fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Poco X3 Pro has better screen protection, making it more durable against scratches and accidental drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity sensor | Poco X3 Pro uses ultrasonic while Blackview A96 has a traditional proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset offers significantly better processing power and graphics performance compared to the Helio G99. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading, and better overall responsiveness.
- Better Camera System: While the main cameras have similar specs, the Poco X3 Pro has a more versatile setup with a dedicated depth sensor, and significantly better video capabilities.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The 5160mAh battery and 33W fast charging offer longer usage time and faster refills.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res audio and enhanced Bluetooth codecs offer better audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass 6 offers more resistance to scratches and drops.
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13 out of the box, offering newer software features.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended periods of usage.
- Potentially better low-light in main cam: Wider aperture (f/1.6 vs f/1.79) could result in slightly better low-light performance, but overall photo quality will depend on image processing.
- Potentially better low-light in selfie cam: Larger sensor (1/3") might offer slightly better low light selfies.
- Potentially better multitasking: Higher RAM option.
Trade-offs:
- The Blackview A96 sacrifices raw performance for a more recent OS and a lighter design. The Poco X3 Pro focuses on performance and photography at the cost of a slightly older OS and a heavier build.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is ideal for:
- Gamers: Its powerful processor and 120Hz display deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Its versatile camera system, especially the 4k recording and depth sensor, offers more options for photography and videography.
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Those needing fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and lag-free usage will appreciate the Snapdragon 860 chipset.
Power Users: Users who require a long battery life, fast charging, and good sound quality will prefer the Poco X3 Pro.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Capturing high-quality video content for vlogging or social media.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without performance issues.
- Extended use with minimal charging interruptions.
Blackview A96 is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Those with basic smartphone needs, such as web browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Users Prioritizing Software Experience: Users who want a newer OS version may prefer the A96.
Users with smaller hands: The smaller size and lighter weight will make the phone easier to manage.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday use and light multitasking.
- Casual photography and social media sharing.
- Those who like to have the newest version of the Android OS.
- Users who don't require intensive processing power for their tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco X3 Pro likely offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially for power users and gamers.
- The Blackview A96 might be more appealing to casual users looking for an affordable, newer-OS phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for my use case? If you are a gamer or need a very fast device, the Poco X3 Pro is the better option. If you just need a basic phone, the A96 may be fine.
- How important is camera quality? If camera quality is very important, the Poco X3 Pro is likely the better bet with 4k video recording, higher quality images and more camera features.
- Which phone fits my physical requirements better? The Blackview A96 is smaller and lighter, which might be preferable for smaller hands.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
- For a casual User: The Blackview A96 is adequate, if the newest OS is a top priority.
- For a Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
- For Extended Use: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro because of the bigger battery.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
Here's why:
- Performance is Paramount: As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming and running multiple apps, the significantly better performance of the Snapdragon 860 is a clear advantage. The difference in AnTuTu scores is substantial, indicating a noticeable real-world difference in speed and responsiveness.
- Better Camera System: The inclusion of a dedicated depth sensor, a much more capable video system (4k recording, more framerate options and superior slow-motion capabilities) makes it a better choice for capturing higher quality photos and videos for me.
- Battery Life: A larger battery for extended use is important to me and the 15% difference is significant.
- Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass 6 gives me more peace of mind regarding screen durability.
- Audio: I do care about the quality of my audio and having both High-Res audio and enhanced bluetooth codecs tips the scales for me.
While the Blackview A96 has the advantage of a newer OS and is lighter, those benefits do not outweigh the performance and camera capabilities of the Poco X3 Pro, in my use case. The slightly larger size and weight of the Poco X3 Pro are acceptable trade-offs for the better overall performance, battery life, and camera versatility. For my specific needs, the Poco X3 Pro offers a better overall package.
