1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | The Poco X3 Pro is taller and thicker, likely feeling bulkier in hand and pocket. The A35 is slightly wider but thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable for some. |
| Weight | 215g | 209g | The A35 is marginally lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The A35 offers superior scratch and drop resistance due to the newer Gorilla Glass Victus. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference; both offer a large screen for comfortable viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Minor resolution difference unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Both offer similar pixel density, ensuring a sharp display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The A35's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and improved outdoor visibility. It's also more power-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; good for gaming and overall fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. Further information would be needed to compare typical screen brightness in different conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | The Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 offers slightly better raw performance. The A35's Exynos 1380 is more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 578,500 | The Poco X3 Pro has a marginally better benchmark score, suggesting it may handle graphically demanding tasks better. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Both GPUs are capable, but the Adreno 640 in the Poco X3 Pro tends to have a slight advantage in gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", Samsung GN8 | The A35's main camera may capture slightly more detail in optimal conditions due to its larger sensor size and higher MP. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 13MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor | The Poco X3 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera which may produce more detailed selfies. The A35 may still produce better quality due to software processing |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Omnivision OV8856 | 8MP, f/2.2, unknown sensor | Comparable wide-angle cameras in terms of resolution and aperture, but real world image quality will depend on the sensor |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Omnivision OV02B1B | None | The Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor which helps with portrait photos |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259 | 5MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor | The A35 has a higher resolution macro camera for potentially more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both offer similar recording capabilities; the A35 has OIS and a wider range of features. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS) | The A35’s optical image stabilization provides smoother, less shaky video footage. |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 960 fps | Yes, 240 fps | The Poco X3 Pro can capture slow motion footage at higher fps, which may be useful to some. |
| Additional Features | Quadruple camera, Manual Focus | Triple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | The A35's OIS and advanced features like night mode offer superior versatility and image quality, while the Poco X3 Pro offers manual focus. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | Mobile: 104 (Photo: 107, Video: 110) | The A35 has a tested score with DXOMark. This is an indication that the A35's camera is superior in real world scenarios. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Poco X3 Pro charges faster, allowing for shorter charging times. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Both are common battery types. The real-world implication is negligible. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Android 14, Upgradable to 18 | The A35 offers a newer, more up-to-date software experience with the promise of future updates. |
| WiFi | Up to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Up to Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The A35 has support for the newer WiFi 6 standard which means faster speeds and better performance in crowded environments |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The A35 has a newer Bluetooth standard for better connectivity, battery efficiency, and more supported codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A35 has support for QZSS which means more satellite coverage and therefore potentially more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM support. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer the same storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both offer similar RAM configurations, with 8 GB variant better for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports memory expansion. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The A35 offers a slight edge with Dolby Atmos for more immersive audio. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Both offer biometric security, but side-mounted sensors are considered faster than basic in-screen fingerprint sensors. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity sensor | Both offer a full suite of sensors, with the A35 including hall and geomagnetic sensors while the Poco X3 Pro includes a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Potentially Better Gaming Performance: The Snapdragon 860 and Adreno 640 tend to edge out the Exynos 1380 in raw gaming power.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is noticeably faster than the A35's 25W.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 20MP front camera could capture more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: A dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.
- Higher Slow Motion FPS: The slow motion recording mode has a higher FPS of 960, allowing for more detail in slow motion videos.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers better visuals with vibrant colours, deep blacks, and more efficient power usage.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor on the main camera coupled with better software and OIS can lead to superior results.
- OIS Video Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization allows for smoother and more stable videos.
- More Up-to-Date Software: Android 14 with future updates ensures long-term usability and security.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos provides an enhanced immersive audio experience.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus gives greater scratch and drop protection.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards provide better speeds and latency.
- More GPS Support: Support for QZSS means better location accuracy.
- More Camera Features: The A35 has a wealth of camera features such as: Triple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR.
- DXOMark Score: The DXOMark score indicates that the A35 has better real world camera performance compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
Significant Trade-offs
- Poco X3 Pro: Has a weaker camera system in terms of image stabilization, video quality, and software processing. It has older software, lower quality display, and a basic screen protector.
- Samsung Galaxy A35: Has less gaming performance and lower charging speed compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Budget-conscious gamers: Users who prioritize gaming performance on a budget and appreciate faster charging speed.
- Users who need a large storage: Users who require a large storage and do not require the best software, camera or display.
- Casual photographers: Users who primarily take photos in daylight.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Multimedia consumers: Users who value superior display quality for watching videos, and enjoying photos.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who appreciate a more versatile camera system with OIS, AI features, night mode, and high video quality.
- Users who value long term software support: Users who prefer having the latest software updates, and long term support.
- Users who value connectivity: Users who value having the latest bluetooth and wifi standards.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco X3 Pro: Excels in fast-paced games like Call of Duty: Mobile or PUBG Mobile. It can also be a good choice for someone who prioritizes battery life and needs a quick charge.
- Galaxy A35: Better for watching HDR content, capturing memories with great photos/videos and enjoying immersive audio. Ideal for use in varied scenarios due to the OIS and night mode.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance to you? If gaming is a primary focus, the Poco X3 Pro might be slightly better. However, for anything but very demanding tasks, the A35 will likely perform well enough.
- What are your priorities regarding the screen and camera? If a high-quality AMOLED screen, OIS, and the latest camera software features are essential, the A35 is the clear choice.
- How important is software support and connectivity? If having the most up-to-date version of android and new connectivity standards are essential, the A35 is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming on a Budget: If gaming performance is paramount and your budget is very tight, the Poco X3 Pro offers more raw power.
- Scenario 2: Overall Multimedia Experience: If you prioritize display quality, camera versatility, software support and a modern user experience, the Galaxy A35 is the superior option.
- Scenario 3: Versatile Daily Use: If you are an average phone user, the Galaxy A35 would be a better choice for a daily driver due to its more balanced feature set and better software.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35. While the Poco X3 Pro has a slight edge in gaming and charging speed, the Galaxy A35 excels in almost every other aspect. The superior AMOLED screen, better camera system with OIS, and more up-to-date software (Android 14 vs 12) make it a more appealing choice for a variety of user scenarios. Furthermore, the inclusion of Dolby Atmos for superior audio, the newer Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6 standards for enhanced connectivity, and superior screen protection are also major factors in my choice. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a more refined experience.
