1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Honor X8a | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 162.9 × 74.5 × 7.5 mm | Xiaomi is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand & pocket |
| Weight | 215g | 179g | Honor X8a is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Virtually identical screen size, minimal practical difference |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Very similar sharpness, negligible visual difference |
| PPI | 395 | 391 | Both have similar pixel density, resulting in comparable visual clarity |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same IPS LCD technology, similar viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness (Note: this is likely a data error, brightness should not be 0, cannot comment without correct specs) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro provides significantly better performance for gaming & demanding apps |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 253,700 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is much faster for app loading, multitasking, and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a superior GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 100MP | Honor X8a has higher megapixel count for potentially more detailed images |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro allows slightly more light, better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has higher resolution selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 8MP | 5MP | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has higher resolution wide-angle photos |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Yes | No | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro can create photos with a bokeh effect |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 2MP | 2MP | Comparable macro lens quality |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro can record in higher resolution, better video quality |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4500mAh | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro likely has longer battery life |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro charges faster |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 | Honor X8a comes with a newer base OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities |
| Wi-Fi Features | Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro additionally supports Wi-Fi MiMO for better signal |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Honor X8a has a newer Bluetooth standard |
| Bluetooth Features | A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | A2DP, EDR, LE | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports more audio codecs, potentially better audio |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer same storage options |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer similar RAM options for multi-tasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers superior audio playback |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensors for security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers superior scratch resistance |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a Gyroscope for enhanced motion sensing and Ultrasonic Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides far superior processing power, making it much faster for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother visual experience.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers provide a much more immersive audio experience
- Superior Main Camera: Slightly wider aperture, slightly better for low light situations and generally performs well.
- Better Front Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for improved selfies.
- Better Video Recording: Ability to record 4K video
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The larger battery capacity and faster charging will provide longer battery life and faster recharge times.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 provides significantly better scratch and damage resistance.
Honor X8a Advantages:
- Newer Design: The Honor X8a is newer, with a thinner and lighter design, which will appeal to users who prefer a lighter phone.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 100MP main sensor for very detailed photos (Note: actual image quality depends on many factors)
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.1 offers improved connection reliability and battery efficiency
- Newer Base OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box
- Potentially More Affordable: Being a newer mid-range device, it is likely to be cheaper now in the market.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is bulkier and heavier, which some users may find less comfortable.
- The Honor X8a has a much less powerful processor and GPU, which will result in a less fluid user experience and limit gaming capabilities.
- The Honor X8a lacks the advanced audio features of the Poco X3 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is ideal for:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and GPU are ideal for smooth gameplay on demanding games.
- Power Users: Users who multitask heavily or use resource-intensive apps will benefit from the fast processor.
- Multimedia Consumers: The 120Hz display, stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio provide an excellent experience for watching videos and listening to music.
- Budget-conscious users seeking performance: Great option if you want the best possible performance per dollar
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- High-end mobile gaming (e.g., Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile)
- Video editing and rendering on the go
- Smooth multitasking between demanding apps
- Immersive audio experience for music and movies
Honor X8a is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Suitable for everyday use, browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Users Prioritizing Design: Those who value a thin, light phone.
- Users Seeking a Simple Experience: Users who prefer a simple and less bulky experience.
- Users on a Tight Budget: May be more affordable and offer a better value for less demanding tasks.
Specific Use Cases for Honor X8a:
- Social media browsing and sharing
- Casual photography
- Basic daily tasks like calls, messaging and web browsing
- Light gaming (casual games)
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially for demanding users.
- The Honor X8a may be a better value for users on a tight budget with less demanding needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for gaming and demanding apps? (Poco X3 Pro wins if it is high priority)
- Is the design/weight a crucial factor? (Honor X8a is better if size and weight are key)
- What is your budget and are you willing to compromise on certain features? (Poco X3 Pro is a value buy, X8a can be more economical for basic tasks)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Hardcore Gamer/Power User): Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. It will provide the most fluid performance and smoothest gaming experience.
- Scenario 2 (Casual User/Budget Buyer): Choose the Honor X8a. It is a decent, less expensive option for everyday use.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia Enthusiast): The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is better suited with its superior audio, video and display experience.
- Scenario 4 (Someone who prefers a lighter phone): The Honor X8a is better due to the weight difference.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While it is the older model, its significantly superior performance, better audio and screen protection make it a more compelling option, especially since I am a power user that needs the extra performance for daily use. The bigger battery and faster charging are also big advantages. While the Honor X8a has a more modern design and a newer operating system, the performance difference is too significant for me to ignore. The extra weight and bulk are acceptable trade-offs for the performance gains and additional features. For a lower price, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better buy, with far better value.
