1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Oppo Reno8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 160.6 × 73.4 × 7.7 mm | Poco X3 Pro is larger and bulkier, less comfortable for one-handed use; Reno8 is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 215g | 179g | Reno8 is significantly lighter, better for long periods of usage. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | Poco X3 Pro offers known screen scratch/impact protection; Reno8 screen protection is not specified, potential higher risk of damage |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Poco X3 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness; differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 411 PPI | Both have similar pixel density; differences are negligible. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Reno8 offers superior color vibrancy, contrast, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes; better overall viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco X3 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, though the difference is likely not hugely noticeable in everyday use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | Reno8 has significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight due to much higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | Reno8 has a more modern processor and higher benchmark scores indicating a small advantage in overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 699,576 | Reno8 performs slightly better in benchmarks, suggesting slightly better day-to-day responsiveness and smoother gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G77 MC9 | Both are capable GPUs for most games but the practical performance is more closely related to game optimization and less to raw performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4500mAh | Poco X3 Pro has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Reno8 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime and inconvenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.7, 1/1.56" | Reno8 has larger sensor size and wider aperture capturing more light, leading to better low light performance and generally higher image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | Reno8 offers higher resolution and a larger sensor for improved selfie quality and low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Both phones have similar wide-angle capabilities. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | Poco X3 Pro features a depth sensor for better bokeh in portrait mode; Reno8 does not feature a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have comparable macro capabilities. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS, slow-mo 960fps | 4K@30fps, EIS, slow-mo 240fps | Both capable of 4K and EIS but Poco X3 Pro has significantly higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| DXOMark | Not tested | Main: 112, Photo: 121, Video: 112 | Reno8 has good camera quality based on its DXOMark scores. Poco X3 Pro has not been tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 14) | Reno8 has a more up-to-date OS with longer support, likely better optimized and with more recent features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Reno8 supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering potentially faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Reno8 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially better connection stability and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Reno8 supports more satellite systems for higher accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | Reno8 offers more RAM, better for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both phones have comparable storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers, Poco has Hi-Res Audio and the Reno8 has Noise cancellation mic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Poco X3 Pro has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner; Reno8 does not specify the position, but is a basic sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Poco X3 Pro has an Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor; Reno8 has a Proximity sensor. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5160mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life, which is beneficial for users who need their phone to last a full day or more without charging.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which can be beneficial for gamers or frequent users of social media.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: A side-mounted fingerprint scanner can be faster and more convenient for some users.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio output can provide a better listening experience.
- Slow Motion Video: Capable of recording video at 960fps.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 provides known scratch and impact resistance.
- Depth Camera: Dedicated depth sensor aids in more effective background blur in portrait mode.
Oppo Reno8 Advantages:
- Superior AMOLED Display: Provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better outdoor visibility with significantly higher peak brightness, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time, which is incredibly convenient for users on the go.
- Better Performance: Has a better benchmark score, a newer chipset, indicating overall better performance and efficiency
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and wider aperture capture more light and detail, leading to better low-light photos.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor for clearer and brighter selfies.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 12 and upgradable to 14; offering better support, better features and improvements.
- Improved Connectivity: Features newer Wifi and Bluetooth for better performance and connection.
- Lighter and Slimmer: The phone is more comfortable and ergonomic.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Reduces background noise for clearer call quality and audio recordings.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for increased location accuracy.
- DXOMark Score: A tested and rated camera.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Trades a better display and charging speed for a larger battery, higher refresh rate display, depth camera, and enhanced audio. It's also bulkier and heavier.
- Oppo Reno8: Sacrifices battery capacity, a slightly smoother screen and depth sensor for a superior screen technology, better cameras, faster charging, and better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Budget-conscious gamers: Benefit from the smooth 120Hz display and powerful processor at a lower cost.
- Users needing long battery life: Value the larger 5160mAh battery for extended usage without frequent charging.
- Users who prefer wired audio: Benefit from Hi-Res audio and its impact on sound quality.
- Users who want slow motion video capture This phone is capable of recording at 960fps
Ideal User for Oppo Reno8:
- Photography enthusiasts: Will appreciate the better camera performance, especially in low-light conditions.
- Users who value display quality: The AMOLED screen offers a far superior viewing experience.
- Users who prioritize fast charging: The 80W fast charging minimizes downtime.
- Users needing a more compact and lightweight phone The Reno8 offers a sleeker profile and more comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
- Users that value software updates and security The newer OS and future upgrades makes it ideal for those who value security and newer features.
- Users who prioritize location accuracy: The enhanced GPS will give an accurate location
- Users that do video recording The additional enhancements to video quality will provide benefits.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco X3 Pro: Gaming, media consumption, heavy social media usage, or users traveling where a wall socket might not be readily available.
- Oppo Reno8: Photography, video recording, daily social media usage, media consumption and users that need to be able to quickly charge before heading out.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you value most - battery life or charging speed? If you want to maximize battery life without needing to charge often, the Poco X3 Pro is better. If you need to charge quickly, the Reno8 is better.
- How important is display quality? If you prioritize vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility, the AMOLED display of the Reno8 is crucial. If that isn't important, the LCD of the X3 Pro will suffice.
- How important is the camera to you? If you're a casual photographer, the X3 Pro camera is fine, but the Reno8 will offer better quality and versatility.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a gamer who travels often and needs a phone that can last through long sessions and has a reliable performance - Poco X3 Pro is better due to the larger battery and high refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: You take a lot of photos and need a phone with the best possible camera and quick charging - Oppo Reno8 is better.
- Scenario 3: You are an average user, and want a phone that has a very good screen, decent camera and is more modern - Oppo Reno8 is better.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Oppo Reno8. While the Poco X3 Pro has its advantages, such as a larger battery, my personal priorities are better camera performance, a superior display, and faster charging. The Oppo Reno8 has a more modern chipset and software, better overall camera performance, a better screen technology and charging capabilities which are more important to me than a slightly larger battery, 120hz refresh rate, depth camera or enhanced audio. The ability to charge quickly and have a high-quality AMOLED display would significantly improve my day-to-day user experience.
