1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Realme 12x | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 165.6 × 76.1 × 7.9 mm | Realme 12x is thinner and slightly narrower, making it potentially more comfortable for one-handed use. Poco X3 Pro is thicker and bulkier. |
| Weight | 215g | 190g | Realme 12x is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both have the same screen size, no difference in display area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1604 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a much sharper and clearer display, resulting in better text and image clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 264 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has significantly higher pixel density leading to a sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones utilize the same display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both displays offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither brightness is listed, so a comparison can't be made. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 offers better overall performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 442,599 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers noticeably faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro's GPU is more powerful, providing better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 12x offers slightly higher megapixel count but Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture, which can be better for low-light. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a specific sensor model listed while Realme does not. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 8MP, f/2.1 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a significantly higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies. Realme 12x has slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more versatility in photography. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | Both have identical depth cameras. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259 | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports higher resolution video recording. |
| Video Features | EIS, Slow-motion up to 960fps | EIS, Slow-motion up to 120fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers more advanced video features and a higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 15W | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro charges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Realme 12x has a newer operating system out-of-the-box with future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2, LE, A2DP | Realme 12x has a newer Bluetooth version. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports higher quality audio codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Realme 12x offers larger maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12 GB | Realme 12x has more RAM, better for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Both phones offer similar audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity | Both have comprehensive sensor suites, but slightly different offerings. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides a much higher AnTuTu score, meaning faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and PPI result in a significantly clearer and more detailed viewing experience.
- Superior Camera System: Offers a wide-angle lens, macro lens, higher resolution selfie camera, and 4K video recording, making it more versatile for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is much faster than the 15W on the Realme 12x, meaning less time tethered to a power outlet.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- More Audio Codec Support: More audio codec support (Apt-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC) for higher quality wireless audio
Realme 12x Advantages:
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest software features and potential updates.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable for extended use due to lighter weight and thinner profile.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers a 512GB storage option, providing more space for media and apps.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM enables smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications.
- Newer Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially more stable and efficient connections.
- Magnetometer Sensor: Includes magnetometer for more accurate compass functionality
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Sacrifices physical comfort and newer OS features for performance, camera versatility, and display quality.
- Realme 12x: Prioritizes newer software, comfort, and storage over raw performance, camera versatility, and display sharpness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers: Demanding games will run smoother thanks to the more powerful chipset and GPU.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera versatility will appreciate the wide-angle, macro lenses, 4k Video recording, and higher-quality selfie camera.
- Users Who Prioritize Performance: Those who need fast app loading and smooth multitasking.
- Users focused on viewing experience: Those who prioritize better text and image clarity through the higher resolution display.
Realme 12x Ideal User:
- General Purpose Users: Users who want a reliable phone for everyday tasks with good storage and RAM.
- Users who prefer the latest software: Those who prioritize a more up-to-date Android version.
- Users who value comfort: Those who prioritize a lighter and more comfortable phone for extended use.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who are happy with the battery life, and prioritize a newer phone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco X3 Pro: Mobile gaming, capturing high-quality photos and videos, running intensive apps.
- Realme 12x: Casual browsing, social media, watching videos, everyday tasks, and users wanting a newer OS and a lighter device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price difference is important here but it is not provided. We'll assume both phones are in a similar price bracket.
- Poco X3 Pro: Offers significant performance and camera power for the price but lacks some of the newer tech and comfort.
- Realme 12x: Provides a balanced experience with a focus on user experience, software, and comfort, making it good value for most users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance for gaming and demanding applications? If this is a top priority, the Poco X3 Pro is a better choice.
- Do you prioritize the latest Android version, physical comfort, or storage capacity? If so, the Realme 12x would be a better pick.
- How important are advanced camera features and higher resolution displays? If these are essential, the Poco X3 Pro is a better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Mobile Gamer: Choose the Poco X3 Pro for its superior gaming performance, better display, and better cooling.
- Scenario 2: Casual User with Basic Needs: Choose the Realme 12x for its newer OS, lighter design, sufficient power for daily tasks, and storage.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Poco X3 Pro for its more versatile camera system and 4k video capabilities, but be aware the software will be older.
- Scenario 4: User who values Comfort and Newer OS: Choose the Realme 12x for its newer OS, lighter weight, and larger storage options but sacrifices camera performance and display resolution.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. Here's why:
While the Realme 12x offers some compelling advantages like the newer OS, larger storage, lighter build, and more RAM, I value the overall performance, superior display, and more versatile camera system that the Poco X3 Pro brings to the table.
My reasoning comes from the fact that I am a user who prioritizes performance, and also the camera is better for those quick moments and better overall quality. The Realme 12x is a great choice for a general-use device, but the Poco X3 Pro hits the sweet spot for me in terms of price-to-performance, and the older OS is something that I am willing to live with considering the other advantages.
While the lack of expandable storage is a bummer for both, the extra RAM and storage options do make it a slightly easier pill to swallow on the Realme 12x. However, if I'm not able to utilize the full performance because of weaker chips, what's the point of the storage and RAM? I can just manage my storage.
Ultimately, the Poco X3 Pro aligns better with my needs, making it the more suitable choice for me despite its age. The Realme 12x is the newer phone, but it would be a downgrade for my daily usage.
