1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger display when unfolded and increased portability when folded, while Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm (Unfolded) | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is taller and thicker, while Huawei Mate X3 is wider when unfolded but significantly thinner and more compact when folded. |
| Weight | 215g | 239g | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. The Huawei Mate X3 is heavier due to the foldable design. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 7.85" | Huawei Mate X3 offers a much larger screen, better for media consumption, multitasking, and reading. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2224x2496 | Huawei Mate X3 has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 426 | Huawei Mate X3 has a slightly sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers an IPS LCD, while the display tech for Huawei Mate X3 is unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are similarly rated for peak brightness, but real-world performance can vary based on display technology. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Huawei Mate X3 has a much newer and more powerful chipset, offering faster performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 1,238,400 | Huawei Mate X3 performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating a smoother and faster user experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 730 | Huawei Mate X3 has a much more powerful GPU, leading to better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Huawei Mate X3 has a slightly higher resolution, which may translate to more detail in photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a slightly wider aperture which could allow slightly better low light images (but sensor size also plays a role) |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | Huawei Mate X3 has a larger sensor, which generally leads to better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX582 | Sony IMX766 | Huawei Mate X3 has a newer and typically superior sensor model. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Huawei Mate X3 has larger pixels, which typically capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 8MP | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a significantly higher resolution for selfies, potentially more detail in photos. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 16MP (f/3.4) | Huawei Mate X3 has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, while Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2) | No | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a wide-angle lens, enabling wider field of view, while Huawei Mate X3 doesn't have a dedicated one. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially better bokeh effects, while Huawei Mate X3 does not have this. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | No | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for closeup photography, while Huawei Mate X3 does not have this. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 12MP (f/2.2) | Huawei Mate X3 has a combined Wide Angle + Macro lens, while Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro does not have this functionality. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps | Huawei Mate X3 can record 4k video at a higher frame rate. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | Huawei Mate X3 has both electronic and optical image stabilization, resulting in more stable video capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4800mAh | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may provide slightly longer battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless Charging | Huawei Mate X3 charges much faster with both wired and wireless options, while Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro uses slower charging and lacks wireless support. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro runs on Android 11 (upgradable to 12), while the OS for Huawei Mate X3 is unknown (though likely based on Android). |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei Mate X3 supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi, leading to better wireless performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Huawei Mate X3 has a newer Bluetooth standard, potentially better connectivity, range and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei Mate X3 has more advanced GPS functionality leading to a more accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Huawei Mate X3 allows for both SIM cards to be active simultaneously. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has Dual Standby only. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Huawei Mate X3 offers significantly more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Huawei Mate X3 has more RAM, better for multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers high resolution audio and Stereo Speakers. Huawei Mate X3 only includes Stereo speakers, so is likely to not have a high quality audio output. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both use a fingerprint sensor for biometric security, but specific performance and reliability can vary. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a superior screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei Mate X3 has a more comprehensive sensor suite, while Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is missing some sensors such as Proximity, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- More Affordable: Typically available at a lower price point.
- Slightly Lighter: Easier to hold for extended periods.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Potentially better low light selfies.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better quality audio output for music enjoyment.
- IPS LCD Screen Has a known and reliable display type.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Larger screen for media and productivity, more compact when folded.
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Faster performance for all tasks.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper, more detailed visuals.
- Superior Main Camera: Larger sensor and pixel size, typically better photos, especially in low light.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capability.
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro Camera: More camera versatility
- Faster Charging: Both wired and wireless charging.
- More RAM and Storage: Better for multitasking and storing media.
- More Advanced GPS: Improved location accuracy.
- Better Video: Higher frame rate at 4k and dual image stabilization.
- More Advanced Bluetooth: Newer version for potentially better performance.
- More Sensors: Comprehensive set of sensors
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: Sacrifices overall performance, camera quality, and premium features for a lower price.
- Huawei Mate X3: Higher price, heavier and potentially more fragile due to foldable design. Unknown screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, gamers who prefer a lighter phone, students, and individuals looking for a reliable daily driver at a lower cost.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, casual gaming, media consumption, and social media. Good for users who prioritize practicality over advanced features.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a lot for the price, a good option for budget-focused buyers.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal User: Professionals, tech enthusiasts, content creators, and users who value cutting-edge features, and are willing to pay a premium for it.
- Use Cases: Professional work, heavy multitasking, high-end gaming, media consumption, and photography. Excellent for users who require a powerful device with advanced features.
- Price-to-Value: High value for premium features, but at a significantly higher cost. Worth it for users who specifically need these advanced functions.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones is considerable. If you have a tight budget, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the more logical choice.
- Do you need a foldable phone? The Huawei Mate X3's foldable screen offers more space and portability. If a large screen is very important, this may be crucial.
- What will you use the phone for? If you need high performance, advanced camera features, and large storage, the Mate X3 is better suited. For basic tasks, the Poco X3 Pro is sufficient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is limited and you need a basic phone for everyday use, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a suitable choice.
- Power User: If you need cutting-edge performance, a superior camera, and the best possible display, the Huawei Mate X3 is the better choice.
- Media Consumption and Multitasking: If you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and multitasking, the Huawei Mate X3, due to the foldable design, is a compelling option, assuming you are able to pay the premium.
- Photography Enthusiast: If camera quality and versatility are essential, the Huawei Mate X3, due to the more capable main camera, telephoto, and the combined wide angle + macro camera, will be much better.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Mate X3. While the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a decent phone for the price, the Mate X3 offers a superior experience in almost every aspect that matters to me. The foldable design, significantly more powerful processor, superior camera system, faster charging, and increased storage and RAM, all justify the higher cost.
As someone who uses a phone for a variety of tasks including productivity, photography, and gaming, the Mate X3 is better suited to my needs. While the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a respectable budget phone, the Mate X3's flagship capabilities make it a superior device overall, assuming my budget allows for it.
