Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 169.5 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm | Motorola is slightly taller; both have similar width & thickness, so feel similar in hand |
| Weight | 215g | 217.5g | Virtually identical weight, so both will feel similar in your pocket or hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Motorola has a slightly larger display which can be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 387 | Both have very similar pixel density, so image clarity is nearly identical |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Identical display tech means similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco X3 Pro provides a smoother user experience, better for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but the practical brightness might vary due to display calibration (missing data). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Poco X3 Pro is significantly faster, making it smoother for multitasking and demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 171,000 | Poco X3 Pro offers far superior performance for demanding applications, and more future proofing. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 619 | Poco X3 Pro has a more powerful GPU resulting in better graphics performance in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4000mAh | Poco X3 Pro has significantly longer battery life, especially with demanding use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 10W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Poco X3 Pro charges much faster, so less time spent waiting; Li-Po typically lasts longer in general. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-user-replaceable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Res | 48MP (f/1.79) | 48MP (f/1.7) | Moto G Stylus 5G slightly wider aperture allows slightly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Lens Res | 20MP (f/2.2) | 20MP (f/2.0) | Moto G Stylus 5G has slightly wider aperture, leading to better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens Res | 8MP (f/2.2) | 16MP (f/2.2) | Moto G Stylus 5G has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, capturing more detail in group photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Moto G Stylus 5G has better depth sensing capabilities for portrait photography. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | Yes (2MP f/2.4) | No | Poco X3 Pro has dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | Yes (2MP f/2.4) | Yes (2MP f/2.2) | Moto G Stylus 5G has wider aperture which lets in more light leading to slightly better macro shots in low light. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | Poco X3 Pro allows for higher resolution video recording; Better for capturing high quality videos. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes | Yes | Both provide video stabilization, which leads to more stable video recording while moving. |
| Slow Motion | Yes (960fps) | Yes (120fps) | Poco X3 Pro is capable of much higher slow motion frame rates. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Both start with Android 11; both get Android 12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. Poco X3 Pro supports Wi-Fi MiMO which leads to more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Similar Bluetooth functionality, Poco X3 Pro has more advanced codecs, Moto has EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Poco X3 Pro supports more satellite systems; Moto G Stylus 5G supports SUPL for assisted GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM, but only one can be active on 5G at a time |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Poco X3 Pro offers higher storage option (256GB) for more apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4 GB | Poco X3 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD card for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Poco X3 Pro has better sound with better separation; suitable for audiophiles and media lovers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco X3 Pro uses more convenient side mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Poco X3 Pro provides superior protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco X3 Pro has additional sensors, useful for gaming and advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset and Adreno 640 GPU result in a much faster and smoother experience for gaming, app loading, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz display makes scrolling and animations appear much more fluid.
- Larger Battery: The 5160mAh battery, coupled with faster 33W charging, means longer usage time and faster recharging.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provide superior sound quality for media consumption.
- Higher quality video recording: Capable of recording videos up to 4K.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Up to 8GB RAM for more efficient multitasking; 256GB storage variant is available for power users.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 is used
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Advantages:
- ToF 3D sensor: It has a Time of Flight sensor, which measures the distance between objects, resulting in a more natural depth of field effect, leading to better portrait shots.
- Wider Aperture on Standard and Selfie lens: slightly better low-light images on its main and selfie cameras
- Wider Aperture on Macro lens: slightly better low-light macro images
- Higher resolution Wide Angle lens: allows for more detailed wide angle pictures
- Stylus Integration: The built-in stylus is unique, allowing for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Lacks the stylus functionality and additional camera capabilities (ToF 3D sensor) found on the Moto G Stylus 5G.
- Moto G Stylus 5G: Significantly weaker performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. Slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, power users, those who value performance above all else, and multimedia enthusiasts.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Multitasking between resource-intensive apps.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- General daily usage with a fast and responsive experience.
- Users who want the smoothest experience possible.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G:
- Ideal Users: Note-takers, digital artists, casual users, and those who need stylus functionality.
- Use Cases:
- Taking quick notes and sketches using the stylus.
- Annotating documents and webpages.
- Basic social media use and web browsing.
- Users who need a large display for content consumption but don't do much gaming
- Users who want better low-light photos.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Poco X3 Pro generally provides a higher performance-to-price ratio, offering significantly better processing power and battery life for a similar price point. The Moto G Stylus 5G is better if you need a stylus and take low light pictures and its camera advantages will be useful.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you? (Gaming, multitasking, app loading speed)
- Do you need a stylus for note-taking or drawing?
- Do you prioritize battery life over other features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming/Heavy Usage: If you play a lot of mobile games or use demanding applications, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear choice due to its significantly better performance.
- Scenario 2: Note-Taking/Stylus Use: If you need a stylus for note-taking, sketching, or precise navigation, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is the only viable option between these two.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use/Average User: If you're an average user that cares about camera quality and the stylus, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is the better choice.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While I appreciate the unique functionality of the stylus on the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G, my primary need is for a phone that is fast and smooth in day-to-day usage and can handle demanding games and applications. The significant performance advantage, combined with the larger battery, faster charging, and superior audio experience make it the better option for me, despite lacking the stylus functionality.
