Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The Poco X3 Pro is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand and pocket. The Nova Y90 is more compact for easier handling. |
| Weight | 215g | 195g | The Nova Y90 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both have similar large screens, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Virtually identical sharpness, no practical difference for the user. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 391 PPI | Both have very sharp displays; negligible difference in clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Poco X3 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, more pleasant for gaming and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No data available for brightness, cannot compare the visibility in different lighting conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | The Poco X3 Pro has a much more powerful chip, offering significantly faster performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 249,000 | The Poco X3 Pro has over 2.5 times the benchmark performance of the Nova Y90, translating to dramatically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 610 | The Poco X3 Pro has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in superior gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Similar main camera quality, with slightly better low light performance with the Poco X3 Pro due to a wider aperture. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The Poco X3 Pro's front camera should take much more detailed selfies. The Nova Y90 has slightly wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Poco X3 Pro offers a wide-angle lens which the Nova Y90 lacks. |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Poco X3 Pro has depth sensor for portrait mode, the Nova Y90 lacks this sensor |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Poco X3 Pro includes a macro lens for closeup shots. The Nova Y90 lacks this. |
| Secondary Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nova Y90 includes a secondary lens. The Poco X3 Pro lacks this. |
| Tertiary Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nova Y90 includes a tertiary lens. The Poco X3 Pro lacks this. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Poco X3 Pro can record much higher-quality videos, suitable for professional looking video content. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | No | The Poco X3 Pro records smoother video due to EIS |
| Slow Motion | 960fps | No | The Poco X3 Pro has far superior slow-motion capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life for general use |
| Charging | 33W | 40W | The Nova Y90 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have integrated batteries not meant for user replacement. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | The Poco X3 Pro is running Android 11 and has been updated to 12. OS version information for the Nova Y90 is not provided. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both support Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display. The Poco X3 Pro additionally supports Wi-Fi MiMO, improving wireless performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0, LE, EDR | Both support low energy Bluetooth, the Poco X3 Pro supports higher quality audio codecs, the Nova Y90 supports Enhanced Data Rate. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nova Y90 provides slightly better location accuracy due to more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality, using two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | The Poco X3 Pro offers greater internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | Both offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | The Poco X3 Pro has noticeably better audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both provide similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | The Poco X3 Pro has a more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | The Poco X3 Pro includes a Gyroscope, important for advanced motion-based gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a massive performance boost, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming experiences.
- Superior Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations.
- Better Camera Features: The Poco X3 Pro has a better front-facing camera, the ability to shoot in 4K, and includes a wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors.
- Enhanced Audio: Features stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio for a better audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 6 provides added protection against scratches and drops.
- Better Video Recording Capabilities: Shoots in 4k at 30fps and offers more slow-motion capabilities
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Nova Y90 is more comfortable to handle and pocket, especially for smaller hands.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is slightly faster than the Poco X3 Pro’s 33W.
- Better GPS Accuracy: Support for QZSS gives it an edge in location tracking.
- More Camera Lenses: The Nova Y90 features a secondary and tertiary lens that the Poco X3 Pro lacks
- Potentially Newer Software: It is unclear what software the Nova Y90 ships with, but if it is a newer version, it would mean better security and features.
Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Comfort: The Poco X3 Pro prioritizes performance at the expense of being slightly bulkier, whereas the Nova Y90 prioritizes comfort but sacrifices performance.
- Camera Features vs. Lenses: The Poco X3 Pro has better main camera features and an ultra-wide and macro camera, while the Nova Y90 provides an additional 2MP lens (secondary and tertiary).
- Software Uncertainity: The version of Android for the Nova Y90 is unclear, while the Poco X3 Pro has both an original and an updated version of Android.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers: The superior processing power, dedicated GPU, 120Hz display, and gyroscope make it ideal for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need fast multitasking, quick app launches, and a smooth user experience will benefit from the powerful chipset.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of video content and listen to music will appreciate the stereo speakers and higher quality video playback.
- Photo Enthusiasts: Those who want good video and pictures from their camera.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and light productivity.
- Users Who Value Comfort: The lighter, smaller design makes it more comfortable for everyday use.
- Users Who Prefer Fast Charging: The slightly faster charging capabilities may be more convenient for some users.
- Those Who Value GPS Accuracy: The additional satellite support may be important for those who rely on navigation.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: How important is gaming and heavy multitasking to you?
- Handling & Comfort: Do you prioritize a lighter and smaller device or are you okay with a larger device for better specs?
- Camera Requirements: What is more important to you, video capabilities or the inclusion of multiple lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming & Performance: If you're a gamer or need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. It offers a massive performance advantage and a smoother display experience.
- Scenario 2: Everyday Use & Comfort: If you mostly use your phone for social media, browsing, and light tasks, and prioritize comfort, choose the Huawei nova Y90. It's lighter and more compact, which is ideal for everyday use and handling.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage & Budget: If you need a bit of everything, choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. It provides a greater experience in more areas while also being available at a lower price point.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While the Huawei Nova Y90 offers a slightly more compact design and slightly faster charging, the Poco X3 Pro’s advantages in overall performance, display smoothness, and video recording capabilities significantly outweigh these benefits for my needs. I often use my phone for gaming, multimedia consumption, and general productivity, all of which the Poco X3 Pro handles much more efficiently. The better main camera, wide-angle and macro lenses, and stereo speakers add significant value that caters to my overall use case, and makes this a more versatile device.
