1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm, 215g | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm, 208g | G51 is slightly taller and lighter, X3 Pro is a bit thicker; Minor differences, may affect single-handed use slightly. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | G51 has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness on both screens for standard use, video, and reading. |
| PPI | 395 | 387 | Virtually identical pixel density, no visible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use LCD, meaning similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same peak brightness. It is not clear what it means, because 0 nits is not a valid value. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | X3 Pro has a much more powerful processor for intensive tasks, gaming, and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 381,000 | X3 Pro offers significantly better overall performance, about 65% higher in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 619 | X3 Pro has a much more capable GPU, better for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both have comparable battery sizes, expect similar battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 10W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | X3 Pro charges significantly faster (33W vs 10W), less time plugged in for the same usage. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | G51 has slightly higher resolution, X3 Pro has a larger sensor with wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 13MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor size | X3 Pro has higher resolution for sharper selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | 8MP, unknown sensor size | Both have comparable wide-angle cameras. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | None | X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | 2MP, unknown sensor size | Both have macro lenses, but likely of similar quality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | X3 Pro can record in 4k while G51 is capped to 1080p. X3 Pro has more options for high speed recording |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Both have the same initial OS and same upgrade path. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MIMO | 802.11ac | Both have similar WiFi but X3 Pro has MIMO for potentially better signal. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, Apt-X, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1 | G51 has a newer version, X3 Pro has better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both support various GPS technologies. G51 includes SUPL. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | X3 Pro offers more internal storage. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB or 8GB | Both can have up to 8GB of RAM, but X3 Pro has a 6 GB variant while G51 has 4 GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | X3 Pro provides richer sound, G51 has better audio recording |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted sensor | Side-mounted sensor | Both have the same basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | X3 Pro has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | X3 Pro has compass and virtual proximity sensor. G51 has a basic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides superior processing power, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The AnTuTu score difference is substantial (627,869 vs 381,000).
- Better Graphics: The Adreno 640 GPU excels in graphics-intensive applications, making it a better choice for gamers.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for a much quicker battery replenishment compared to the 10W charging of the Moto G51.
- Better Main Camera: larger sensor size with wider aperture for better low-light shots
- Better Video Recording: Supports 4k recording, while the G51 is capped at 1080p
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution for sharper selfies.
- More Storage: Available in 256 GB configuration.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers provide a richer audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 provides better scratch and drop protection for the screen.
- More Sensors: Includes compass and virtual proximity sensor.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Display: The 6.8" screen provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience, good for media consumption.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 is slightly newer than 5.0.
- SUPL for GPS: Motorola G51 has SUPL support for GPS, which can lead to faster location acquisition.
- Potentially Better Audio Recording: Dolby Atmos and dual microphones could provide slightly better quality in recording situations.
Trade-offs:
- The X3 Pro's performance advantage comes at the cost of being slightly thicker and heavier.
- While the Moto G51 has a newer Bluetooth version, the Poco X3 Pro supports more audio codecs.
- The G51's larger screen might be preferable for media, while X3 Pro is better for gaming and heavy use.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The superior chipset and GPU make it suitable for demanding mobile games.
- Power Users: Individuals who frequently multitask and need fast performance for demanding apps.
- Multimedia Creators: The 4k video capability and better camera can satisfy people who often capture videos and photos.
- Users who value fast charging: People who need their phones charged quickly.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a large display for media consumption and general use.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: May offer a better price-to-value for basic needs.
- Users who value battery life: People who want a basic phone that can last a day and dont need advanced performance or fast charging.
- Users who take more audio recording: The phone has features that enable better audio recording than X3 Pro.
Specific Use Cases:
- X3 Pro: Excels in mobile gaming, video editing, resource-intensive apps, and fast charging on-the-go.
- G51: Suitable for watching movies, browsing, casual social media, and basic productivity tasks, especially for the casual user who need good audio recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? (Gaming, multitasking, etc.) - if performance is a high priority, go with the X3 Pro.
- What are your typical use-cases? (Casual use, media consumption, content creation, etc) - If you are mostly using your phone for casual browsing, the G51 will be fine, but for more advanced use-cases go with the X3 Pro.
- Are you a casual user or a heavy user? (Battery usage, how often to recharge) - If you are casual, the G51 may be better but if you are a heavy user, the better specs and better charging of the X3 Pro are better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Gamer): If you want the best possible gaming performance on a budget, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better option due to its powerful chipset, GPU, and 120Hz display.
- Scenario 2 (Media Consumer): If you mostly watch videos and browse, the Motorola Moto G51 5G offers a larger display, which some may prefer.
- Scenario 3 (Photo Enthusiast): The X3 Pro excels in video recording with 4k recording support, but the G51 doesn't. However, both have comparable photo features.
- Scenario 4 (Heavy User on the Go): If you are always on the go and need fast charging, the X3 Pro’s 33W charging is a major advantage over the G51’s 10W.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While the Motorola G51 has a slightly larger screen and newer Bluetooth, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. I value performance and fast charging, both of which the X3 Pro provides in spades. The improved video capabilities, richer audio, and superior screen protection all make it a more complete package. Although I am not a heavy gamer, I like to have a device that doesn't lag when multitasking, and the Snapdragon 860 chipset will provide a much better experience, plus I prefer the 4k video recording that is absent on the G51. The slightly thicker body is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the power and features.
