1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Realme 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Poco X3 Pro is larger and thicker, less pocketable; Realme 9 is more compact and comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 215g | 178g | Realme 9 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Poco X3 Pro offers slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 411 | Both are very similar; small difference won't be noticeable. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 9 has superior contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, better for viewing media and general display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco X3 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, which can improve perceived responsiveness, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 9 will be much easier to see under direct sunlight; Poco X3 Pro is likely to struggle in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | Poco X3 Pro offers significantly faster processing and better overall performance; Realme 9 is a lower-mid-range chip for less intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 216,850 | Poco X3 Pro has much higher performance, faster app loading, better multi-tasking, and smoother gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 610 | Poco X3 Pro offers better graphics processing power, suitable for higher-end mobile gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery endurance for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 33W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Both offer fast charging; Li-Polymer is typically more durable but this difference is likely not noticeable by typical users. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Realme 9 can act as a power bank for other devices, a potentially useful feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79 (1/2") | 108MP f/1.75 (1/1.67") | Realme 9 has higher resolution, captures more details, especially in good light; Larger sensor improves light sensitivity. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 (1/3.4") | 16MP f/2.45 (1/3.13") | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro takes slightly higher resolution selfies; Realme 9 captures more light and will perform slightly better in low light conditions |
| Wide Angle | 8MP f/2.2 (1/4") | 8MP f/2.2 (1/4") | Comparable quality for wide-angle shots. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP f/2.4 (1/5") | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has an additional sensor for depth effects in portrait mode, while Realme 9 lacks this. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 (1/5") | 2MP f/2.4 (1/5") | Similar quality for macro photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (EIS) | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers higher quality video recording; Realme 9 is limited to 1080p; EIS available on both. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Realme 9 has a newer operating system out-of-the-box, could receive longer software support in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi ac, MiMO | Wi-Fi ac | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has slightly better Wi-Fi capabilities; the benefit of Wi-Fi MiMO may depend on the router and the network. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (LE, LDAC) | Bluetooth 5.1 | Realme 9 has a newer Bluetooth; both share a lot of the same features, but Xiaomi has additional LE, LDAC |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers potentially double storage, good for users with extensive media or app libraries. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Sufficient RAM for smooth multitasking on both phones. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res | Hi-Res, 2 Microphones | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has stereo speakers for better audio, while Realme 9 has 2 microphones for improved recording capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor for faster unlocking; Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X3 Pro offers slightly better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass, Ultrasonic Proximity | Proximity, Geomagnetic | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has more comprehensive sensor suite; While Realme 9 offers a geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 860 chipset offers significantly better processing and gaming performance (almost 3x AnTuTu).
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid experience.
- Higher Video Resolution: 4K video recording for higher quality footage.
- Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption.
- Potentially Larger storage: Comes in a 256 GB option (only 128 GB option on Realme 9)
- More advanced sensor suite: Including a compass and an ultrasonic proximity sensor.
- Slightly more advanced screen protection: With Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
Practical Implication: The Poco X3 Pro is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who needs fast and responsive performance.
Realme 9 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and better color accuracy and more vibrant colors.
- Significantly Lighter: More comfortable for extended use, easier to carry.
- Brighter Screen: 1000 nits offers better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out-of-the-box with better update potential.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution (108MP) and larger sensor for more detailed photos.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- More efficient chip: The 6 nm chipset is slightly more power efficient than the Poco X3 Pro's 7 nm chipset
Practical Implication: The Realme 9 is ideal for users who prioritize display quality, portability, and photography, and prefer the latest Android OS.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro sacrifices display quality and portability for performance and features.
- Realme 9 prioritizes display and battery but loses out on gaming power and other performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, students, tech enthusiasts, or anyone needing a high-performance phone on a budget.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming (smooth experience even in demanding titles)
- Multitasking heavy apps (video editing, graphic design)
- High-quality video recording (4K for social media content)
- Demanding tasks (running complex applications)
- Price-to-value: Extremely high, offers top tier performance at its price range
Realme 9:
- Ideal User: Casual users, social media enthusiasts, photographers, those who value a good viewing experience and battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and content creation (vibrant display, good camera)
- Everyday photography (high-resolution main camera)
- Media consumption (superior display for movies and videos)
- Longer battery life with general use
- Price-to-value: Good but may not satisfy hardcore gamers, users looking for the maximum performance
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and gaming above all else? (If yes, Poco X3 Pro is the better choice)
- Do you value superior display quality and brighter screen over performance and higher video recording resolution? (If yes, Realme 9 is preferable)
- Do you require the latest software features and future software updates? (If yes, Realme 9 is preferred as it launched with a newer version of Android)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. Its superior chipset and 120Hz display will provide the best gaming performance.
- Scenario 2: Casual User/Photography Enthusiast: Choose Realme 9. Its AMOLED display, higher-resolution camera, and lighter build will offer a better experience.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumer: Choose Realme 9. It has a better screen, perfect for watching content for long periods.
- Scenario 4: Power User/High Performance Choose Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. It is the only device out of the two that can offer the highest performance with its flagship processor
Final Recommendation
If I had to choose, I would personally choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
Reasoning:
My primary use case involves a mixture of demanding applications and gaming, and these would benefit the most from the raw processing power and 120Hz display the Poco X3 Pro offers. While the AMOLED screen of the Realme 9 is appealing, especially considering the outdoor visibility due to the higher brightness, the performance gap between the two is simply too large. I would be willing to sacrifice the better camera, display, and comfort for the better gaming and multitasking performance the Poco X3 Pro offers. The fact that the Poco X3 Pro also has the ability to record 4k video is a big plus for my use case. The stereo speakers would also improve the immersive experience while consuming content.
While the Realme 9 is a great phone for its specific target audience, if the highest performance and high refresh rate are necessary, the Poco X3 Pro would be a superior device for this use case.
