1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm | Honor X7b is slightly taller and thinner; Poco X3 Pro is thicker and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 215g | 199g | Honor X7b is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has better screen protection from scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Honor X7b offers a marginally larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Both have very similar resolutions; expect similar sharpness in everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 389 | Both have very similar pixel density; differences will likely be indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar display technology, expect similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco X3 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations due to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness; actual real world usage might differ |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Poco X3 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster performance for apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 249,150 | Poco X3 Pro will perform much better in demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 610 | Poco X3 Pro has a much more capable GPU, crucial for better gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582, 0.8µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm pixels | Honor X7b has higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail; Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light performance, but its sensor is of better quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.0, Unknown | Poco X3 Pro has much higher resolution, capturing more detailed selfies; Honor X7b has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Omnivision OV8856, 1.12µm pixels | 5MP, f/2.2, Unknown | Poco X3 Pro has a higher resolution wide-angle lens, allowing for more detail in landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait/Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Omnivision OV02B1B, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | Both have similar depth cameras for portrait mode, performance is expected to be similar. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | Both have comparable macro cameras, with very similar sensor sizes and apertures; expected performance will be similar. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, various 1080p options | 1080p@30fps | Poco X3 Pro can record at higher resolutions, capturing more detailed video. Both have stabilization, but Honor X7b does not have slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Manual Focus, etc. | PDAF/CDAF | Poco X3 Pro includes 4K Video; Honor X7b offers faster autofocus with PDAF and CDAF. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X7b | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5160 mAh | 5330 mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; expect similar battery life under normal usage |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 35W Fast Charging | Honor X7b charges slightly faster than the Poco X3 Pro |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 offers much better performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience compared to the 90Hz of the Honor X7b.
- Better Video Recording: The 4K video recording capability provides higher-quality videos for vloggers or those who want high quality footage.
- Better Main and Selfie Camera Sensors: The sensors on the Poco X3 Pro are slightly better, potentially giving higher quality images.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers better sound quality for audio enthusiasts.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers better scratch and shatter resistance.
- More Slow-Motion Options: Better video capabilities in slow-motion.
Honor X7b Advantages:
- Lighter Design: 16g lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.1, providing slightly more efficient connections.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, which is an advantage over the Android 11 on the Poco X3 Pro.
- Slightly Faster Charging: The 35W fast charging allows to recharge the phone marginally faster.
- Newer WiFi Standard: The newer WiFI standard allows faster speed and lower latency.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Heavier and bulkier design, older operating system and lack of microSD storage.
- Honor X7b: Significantly weaker performance for demanding tasks, slower refresh rate, and lower video recording capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and those who prioritize performance and a smooth display.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, video editing, intensive multitasking, watching videos and movies.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for those seeking top-tier performance at a mid-range price. The phone might feel outdated by today's standards, but it's still a top performer compared to the Honor X7b.
Honor X7b
- Ideal User: Casual users, those who value battery life, and those who prefer a lighter and more comfortable device.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, casual gaming, media consumption, and everyday communication.
- Price-to-Value: Good option for those who prioritize battery life and a more modern software experience over raw power.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance for gaming and apps?
- Is a smoother display (120Hz) a priority?
- How much do you prioritize a light and sleek design vs. performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: If gaming is your primary focus, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better choice due to its superior performance.
- For Casual Users: If you prioritize a lighter design, longer battery life and a newer Android version for basic tasks and browsing, the Honor X7b is more suitable.
- For Media Consumption: If you like to watch videos and movies, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro will be slightly better, due to its ability to record videos in 4K and having hi-res audio.
- For Camera Enthusiasts: If you like to take selfies, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro will provide higher quality images due to better sensors.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. Even though it's an older phone, its superior performance and smoother display would provide a better user experience overall, especially when gaming or using intensive applications. Although the Honor X7b has some advantages, like its lighter weight and slightly faster charging, the difference in performance is too significant to ignore. The Poco X3 Pro's better cameras are also a plus. In essence, I am willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort for significant gains in performance.
