1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is noticeably smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 215g | 178g | The Honor 70 is significantly lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both phones offer the same screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide a sharp and detailed visual experience with the same pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED on the Honor 70 provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Poco X3 Pro's LCD, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth visual experience, beneficial for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The brightness of both screens is identical at 0 nits, which is not a functional specification, as brightness is measured in nits. This needs clarification. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 860 is older but provides slightly better raw benchmark performance, while 778G+ is newer with 5G capabilities and efficiency improvements. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 600,525 | The Poco X3 Pro has a slightly higher benchmark score, indicating potentially faster performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 640 in the Poco X3 Pro has comparable performance with Adreno 642L in Honor 70. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 54MP | Honor 70's higher resolution main sensor allows for more detailed images, especially when cropping or printing. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.49" | Honor 70's larger sensor size helps with improved low light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Honor 70's larger pixel size helps capture more light, aiding in better low-light photography |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Poco X3 Pro's wider aperture allows slightly more light for low-light photos. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 32MP | The Honor 70 takes higher resolution selfies, allowing for better detail. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.2" | Honor 70's slightly larger selfie camera sensor allows better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.70 µm | Poco X3 Pro's larger pixel size helps capture more light, aiding in better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | The Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture, which allows slightly more light for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 50MP | Honor 70's wide angle sensor captures much higher resolution photos. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | N/A | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while Honor 70 relies on software. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both phones have similar macro lens capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps | Both capture video up to 4K@30fps, delivering high-quality results. |
| DxOMark Score | Not Tested | 115 (Mobile) | Honor 70 has a tested and rated camera quality by DxOMark, whereas Poco X3 Pro doesn't. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual Focus | Triple camera, Ultra stable video, RAW, Night Mode | Honor 70 has more advanced features like Ultra-Stable video and RAW capture, while Poco X3 Pro offers manual focus and quadruple lens setup. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4800mAh | Poco X3 Pro has a slightly larger battery, possibly offering a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 66W | Honor 70 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Honor 70 can charge other devices using reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Honor 70 ships with a newer Android version, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 70 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 70 features a newer Bluetooth version with slightly better energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | Honor 70 provides a higher storage variant of up to 512GB and therefore offers potentially more storage for files and media. |
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB | Honor 70 offers a higher RAM variant, allowing for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both phones provide high-quality audio through stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio certification. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Poco X3 Pro uses a faster side-mounted fingerprint scanner. Honor 70 uses a basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Poco X3 Pro offers superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass 6. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Poco X3 Pro has an additional ultrasonic proximity sensor. Honor 70 has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly Better Raw Performance: The Snapdragon 860 offers marginally better performance in benchmarks than the Snapdragon 778G+. This can translate to slightly smoother gaming and app performance.
- Larger Battery: The larger 5160mAh battery might lead to slightly longer battery life.
- More advanced fingerprint sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is usually faster and more reliable.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display offers significantly better colors, contrast, and viewing angles.
- Newer Chipset with 5G: The Snapdragon 778G+ is more efficient, comes with 5G capabilities, and a newer architecture than the Snapdragon 860.
- Significantly Lighter and Thinner: The Honor 70 is more portable and ergonomic for daily use.
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging capability allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Better Cameras: Better main camera sensor, higher resolution selfie camera, and a significantly better wide-angle camera.
- More Storage Options: The 512GB storage option is useful for users with large media libraries.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12, ensuring the latest features and security.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, which offer better performance.
- Ultra Stable Video and RAW Capture: Provides advanced video recording features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco X3 Pro has a performance edge over the Honor 70 in benchmarks, but the difference is not very large.
- The Poco X3 Pro lacks the camera and display quality of the Honor 70.
- The Honor 70 trades some potential battery life for a more portable design and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious gamers: The slightly better raw performance from the Snapdragon 860 can offer a more responsive gaming experience for price-conscious users.
- Users prioritizing battery life: The larger battery can cater to users who need extended usage without frequent charging.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint reader: Prefer the side-mounted option as it is usually faster and more reliable.
- Users less concerned with camera performance: If photo quality isn't a priority, the Poco X3 Pro can be a more economical choice.
Honor 70 Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize photo and video quality will appreciate the Honor 70's better camera sensors, advanced video features, and high-resolution selfie camera.
- Media Consumers: The OLED display provides an immersive and visually appealing experience for watching movies and browsing content.
- Users desiring a premium feel: The thinner, lighter design and faster charging cater to users who prefer modern features and design.
- Users who value future-proofing: 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2 offer better long-term performance.
- Users who multitask often: The 12 GB RAM option is ideal for users who need to run multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who want more storage: Users who need more space for media and files can benefit from 512 GB storage option.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco X3 Pro: Gaming, long workdays without frequent charging, basic photography
- Honor 70: High-quality photography and videography, watching movies, casual gaming, faster charging, advanced connectivity, multitasking
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, etc.)
- How important is display quality? (Do you prefer vibrant colors or are you okay with a standard LCD?)
- How important is portability? (Do you prefer a smaller, lighter phone, or are you okay with a heavier one?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer on a Budget:
- Recommendation: Poco X3 Pro. Its focus on performance will better suit gaming, but it comes with the tradeoff of camera and display quality.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Photographer:
- Recommendation: Honor 70. The superior camera system and advanced features will deliver better photos and videos.
- Scenario 3: Media Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Honor 70. The superior OLED display will provide a much better experience watching videos and browsing content.
- Scenario 4: All-Around User with a Focus on Modern Features:
- Recommendation: Honor 70. This will provide the user with better design, faster charging, better connectivity and better software experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Honor 70. While the Poco X3 Pro offers slightly better raw performance, the Honor 70 provides a more well-rounded and modern experience. The better OLED display is a significant advantage for media consumption, and the superior camera system would be beneficial for day-to-day use and travel. The lighter design, faster charging, and newer connectivity standards make it a more convenient and future-proof device. The slight difference in benchmark scores does not outweigh the overall benefits provided by the Honor 70. The improved camera, better screen, faster charging, and more refined software make it a compelling choice for my daily use. The trade-off in slightly lower benchmark performance is acceptable considering the overall improvements in the areas I prioritize more.
