1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm | Poco X3 Pro is larger and thicker; realme 8 is more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 215g | 191g | realme 8 is 24g lighter; noticeably more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | realme 8 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1264x2780 | realme 8 has a significantly sharper display with more detail visible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 450 | realme 8 has noticeably sharper text and images, better for reading and viewing high-resolution content. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | realme 8 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; better for watching videos and viewing in bright sunlight. AMOLED is more power efficient for darker themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth and fluid visual experience, beneficial for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness. Practical visibility is contingent on testing in real-world use conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | realme 8's newer 4nm chip offers improved power efficiency, and potentially superior performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | N/A | AnTuTu score isn't available for realme 8, making a direct performance comparison based on the benchmark difficult. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 732 | realme 8's Adreno 732 GPU is newer and likely more powerful, offering potentially smoother gaming and better graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, Sony IMX582 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated standard camera which is capable of capturing good quality images |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor, Samsung S5K3T2 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a front-facing camera which is good for selfies and video calls |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor, Omnivision OV8856 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens useful for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, Omnivision OV02B1B | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for creating background blur effects in portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, Hynix HI-259 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, Various slow-motion options | Up to 4K@60fps with OIS, EIS; no stabilization | Both phones offer 4K video recording. realme 8 offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for smoother videos and better low light performance. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has EIS and slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has more extensive camera features and shooting options. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 0mAh | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a much larger battery, offering significantly longer usage time between charges. Battery capacity of realme 8 is not provided. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro charges faster, reducing downtime. Charging speed for realme 8 is not available. |
| Features | Non-removable | Standard features | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a non-removable battery. The impact of this feature is largely subjective; some may find it preferable for structural integrity while others dislike its non-replaceability. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 14 | realme 8 has a newer operating system out of the box, likely offering better security, features, and longer software support. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MIMO | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports more advanced Wi-Fi standards with features like dual-band and MIMO for potentially faster and more reliable connections. | |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro's Bluetooth 5.0 supports higher audio quality (aptX, LDAC) and better power efficiency. | |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has more comprehensive satellite system support for faster and more accurate location tracking. | |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro allows for using two SIM cards simultaneously for greater flexibility. | |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers options with larger storage. The storage capacity of realme 8 is not provided. | |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has more RAM (8GB) available for smoother multitasking and performance. | |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro provides a superior audio experience with stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio support, resulting in louder, more immersive sound. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro features a convenient and quick side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. The screen protection of realme 8 is unknown. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Basic sensors | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro boasts a comprehensive set of sensors for advanced functionalities, such as gaming and VR. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages
- Larger Battery: Significantly bigger battery capacity (5160mAh vs realme 8's unspecified capacity) offering longer battery life for all-day use.
- Fast Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time compared to realme 8's standard charging.
- Multiple Camera lenses: Offers a standard lens, a wide-angle lens, macro lens, and a depth sensor for more versatile photography options
- Feature-Rich Camera: Has additional features for different scenarios.
- Superior Audio: Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers for improved sound quality.
- Better Connectivity: Offers superior Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities.
- More RAM & Internal Storage Options: Available with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Comprehensive Sensor Suite: It has a comprehensive suite of sensors that allow for the use of advanced features and gaming.
Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 for better scratch and drop resistance.
realme 8 Advantages
- Newer Chipset: The newer Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset (4nm) should offer improved performance, power efficiency, and potential gaming advantages.
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with significantly higher resolution and pixel density, resulting in a more vibrant, sharper, and clearer visual experience.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, providing the latest features, security updates, and a longer software support period.
- OIS video recording: The OIS video recording offers superior video quality and better low-light performance
Significant Trade-offs
- Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: The older chipset may not be as power-efficient as the realme 8. The LCD panel, while supporting 120Hz, lacks the vibrant colors and contrast of AMOLED. It is also bigger and heavier than the realme 8.
- realme 8: The specifications for realme 8 are not fully provided, lacking in battery capacity and charging details. Additionally it lacks comprehensive camera features, better audio quality and better connectivity compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User
- Power Users: Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging above all else.
- Gamers: The 120Hz refresh rate, along with a relatively powerful chipset, good for gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire a versatile camera setup with multiple lens options and feature set.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value high-quality audio with stereo speakers.
- Users who value comprehensive sensor suite Users who want a phone with extensive sensors for advanced features and gaming.
- Budget-Conscious: Users looking for excellent performance-to-value ratio.
Use Cases:
- Long gaming sessions or media consumption without frequent charging.
- Capturing various photo styles with different lenses (wide-angle, macro).
- Enjoying music or videos with good audio quality.
- Daily multitaskers who need a device that can keep up with various tasks and app usage
realme 8 Ideal User
- Display Connoisseurs: Users who prioritize the best possible display quality, with vibrant colors, high resolution, and excellent contrast.
- Software Enthusiasts: Users who want the newest Android version with the latest features and longer support.
- Casual Gamers: Users looking for good performance in games and daily use, without the battery demands of heavy gaming
- Users who value a smaller and lighter device: Those who prefer a more pocketable and comfortable device for everyday carry.
Use Cases:
- Watching high-resolution videos or movies.
- Reading e-books or articles on a sharp display.
- Enjoying visually appealing apps and games.
- Using a phone for long periods without feeling weighed down.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What do you prioritize most - battery or display quality? If a long battery life is crucial, choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. If display vibrancy and sharpness are essential, consider the realme 8 (assuming realme 8's battery will be sufficient).
- What are your primary uses for the phone (gaming, photography, media, productivity)? The Poco X3 Pro is better for gamers and photography due to its performance, comprehensive camera features and better sensor suite. realme 8 caters to users who want a better display quality.
- Do you prefer a larger device with an LCD, or a smaller one with an AMOLED screen? The Poco X3 Pro is larger, heavier, while the realme 8 is smaller and lighter.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile gaming on a budget
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for a balance of performance and battery life.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption & Daily usage:
- Recommendation: realme 8 if display quality is prioritized, if not, then Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is still a solid option.
- Scenario 3: All-day use with comprehensive features and camera functions
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its large battery, better connectivity, comprehensive camera functionality, audio quality, better security, and better sensors.
- Scenario 4: General smartphone use with a preference for compact and newer device:
- Recommendation: realme 8, provided the battery capacity meets your daily requirements.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
Here’s why:
- Battery Life: The primary reason is the significantly larger 5160mAh battery. For my daily usage, which includes a lot of browsing, media consumption, and some gaming, a long-lasting battery is crucial, and the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro delivers.
- Versatility The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a versatile camera and has a lot of sensors for various functions.
- Performance on a budget: While the realme 8's chipset is newer, the Snapdragon 860 is still very capable, and the 8GB of RAM provides a very good balance between performance and price. The 120Hz refresh rate is a huge boon to the responsiveness and fluidity of the user experience, especially while gaming.
- Comprehensive Features: The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro provides better audio quality, better connectivity, better security, and a more comprehensive suite of sensors.
While the realme 8 has a superior display, the Poco X3 Pro's overall package, especially its battery and camera features, aligns better with my needs. I value longevity and versatility over the best display at a cost of other features. The trade-off with the LCD display is acceptable given the benefits it offers in other areas. The lack of information about the realme 8's battery capacity and charging speed also makes the Poco X3 Pro a more reliable option.
