Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Motorola Edge 40
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm | Edge 40 is noticeably more compact and pocketable. X3 Pro is bulkier. |
| Weight | 215g | 167g | Edge 40 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.55" | X3 Pro has slightly larger screen for media consumption. Difference is negligible for most use cases. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 402 PPI | Almost identical pixel density. Unnoticeable difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 40 offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, especially noticeable in HDR content and bright sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 40 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling. Most users may not notice the difference. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Edge 40 offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. The X3 Pro lacks adequate brightness information. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6nm) | Edge 40 has higher benchmark scores, translates to smoother daily use, faster app loading, and better gaming performance in most cases. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 762,526 | Edge 40 is expected to offer more responsive performance under heavy use. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Edge 40's GPU is typically better for demanding games, though both offer good experience overall. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP f/1.4, 1/1.55" sensor | Edge 40 with larger sensor and wider aperture will perform better in low light and offer better natural bokeh. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.4 | Edge 40 has higher resolution selfie camera. Xiaomi has a wider aperture for better low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 | Not available directly, part of the 13MP wide angle macro | X3 Pro has a dedicated wide angle camera. Edge 40 combines it with the macro. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | Not available | X3 Pro has dedicated depth sensor, may slightly improve bokeh in portrait mode, though mostly software driven |
| Macro Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 13MP f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Edge 40 has a higher resolution macro combined with wide-angle |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Edge 40 offers HDR video recording, generally higher quality. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Manual focus | Dual Camera, OIS, PDAF, LAF, RAW, Night Mode | Edge 40 has better camera features overall, including OIS, PDAF, RAW, LAF, and Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4400mAh | X3 Pro has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 68W fast charging, 15W wireless charging | Edge 40 charges much faster and offers wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 15) | Edge 40 has a newer OS and longer support, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 | Up to Wi-Fi 6 | Edge 40 supports a faster and more efficient WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Edge 40 offers a slightly newer version of Bluetooth with better power efficiency and range. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Edge 40 supports eSIM, useful for travel. X3 Pro allows dual physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Both come in 256GB configuration. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Both offer adequate RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No option for memory expansion on either device. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Edge 40 offers Dolby Atmos, better for overall sound experience. X3 Pro offers Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Side-mounted is usually faster and more intuitive than in-display |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | X3 Pro has superior screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5160mAh battery offers potentially longer usage between charges, beneficial for heavy users who are often away from a power source.
- Dedicated Wide Angle, Macro, Depth Sensors: Offers flexibility in camera modes.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally faster and more reliable than basic sensors for unlocking the phone.
- Gorilla Glass 6 Protection: Provides superior scratch and drop protection on the screen.
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display provides much better image quality with vibrant colors and true blacks, essential for a great viewing experience.
- Faster Performance: The Dimensity 8020 chipset provides better performance in benchmarks, leading to smoother everyday use and gaming.
- Much Better Brightness: Outdoor visibility is drastically better
- Faster Charging: 68W charging significantly reduces charging time. Wireless charging adds convenience.
- Better Camera System: Main camera with larger sensor and wider aperture, plus OIS, PDAF, RAW, LAF, and Night Mode.
- More Modern Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box with updates to 15, ensuring latest features and security patches for longer.
- Lighter and More Compact Design: Easier to handle and pocket-friendly.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos for better overall experience.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: Sacrifices display quality, performance and camera quality for battery life and a slightly more secure screen.
- Motorola Edge 40: Sacrifices battery size for a superior display, better performance, and better cameras. The battery may not last as long for heavy users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Gamers on a Budget: The phone offers good gaming performance for its price.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: The larger battery will last longer for users constantly on the go.
- Users wanting good screen protection Gorilla Glass 6 provides a good base layer of protection.
- Users on a Tight Budget: If you do not need the extras of the Motorola this might be the perfect choice.
Use Cases:
- Gaming on-the-go, with good graphics, but a lower-grade screen.
- Extended daily use with less frequent charging.
- General media consumption on a slightly larger screen.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 40:
- Users who prioritize display quality: Users who watch movies, edit photos, and consume a lot of visual content.
- Camera Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with features like OIS, PDAF, RAW, LAF, and night mode.
- Power users: Smooth performance and faster charging for resource-intensive tasks.
- Users who value a sleek design: Users who want a slim, lightweight, and stylish phone.
Use Cases:
- Mobile photography and videography.
- Watching videos and movies in HDR quality.
- Smooth multitasking and demanding mobile gaming.
- General use with a premium look and feel.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your main use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, general use)
- What is your priority? (Battery life, display quality, performance, camera quality)
- How important is physical size and weight? (Do you prefer a lighter, more compact phone or a larger, heavier one?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer on a Budget: If gaming is your primary focus and you are on a tight budget, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro may suffice, but the Motorola Edge 40 will be the better choice overall.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia Lover: If you watch a lot of movies and videos or play graphically intense games, the Motorola Edge 40's superior display quality and overall smoothness makes it a much better choice, despite the lower battery capacity
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler: The Motorola Edge 40 is lighter, has faster charging, better camera and includes eSIM support and a better display.
- Scenario 4: Budget User: If you are on a tight budget, the X3 Pro will be better suited to you.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Motorola Edge 40. Here's why:
While the Poco X3 Pro offers a larger battery and good gaming performance for its price, the Motorola Edge 40 delivers a more premium experience in the areas that matter most to me. The superior OLED display with better brightness makes a noticeable difference in daily use, especially for media consumption and outdoor visibility. The camera capabilities with OIS, PDAF, and RAW offer more flexibility and better results in various scenarios, and the faster charging is a significant advantage. Additionally, the more refined design and newer software are bonuses that tip the scales in the Motorola's favor.
The trade-off in battery size is acceptable for me, given the fast charging capabilities and the overall enhanced user experience. While battery life is important, I value having a high-quality display, better camera and a faster device that keeps me productive, entertained, and provides great visuals.
