Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy M33
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy M33 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm | Very similar size; Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 215g | 198g | Samsung is noticeably lighter making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible size difference, both provide a large viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2408 | Both provide similar visual clarity, pixel density difference is barely perceptible. |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Sharpness is almost identical, very difficult to distinguish a difference in real usage. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | TFT LCD | Poco X3 Pro's IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and more accurate colors compared to the TFT LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide fluid scrolling and animations; smoother gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The value provided is not valid, we cannot know the brightness capabilities of either phone. Both should be used under indoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm) | Exynos 1280 (5nm) | Snapdragon 860 offers significantly higher benchmark scores. Expect faster app loading and smoother performance on the Poco X3 Pro. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 475,448 | The Poco X3 Pro is significantly faster in tasks and games and has better performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G68 | Poco X3 Pro's GPU is better suited for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Galaxy M33 has slightly higher resolution, while Poco X3 Pro has a wider aperture potentially allowing more light in. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Poco X3 Pro captures much more detailed selfies due to higher resolution. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Poco X3 Pro has wider and more detailed landscape photos. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Same performance for both phones. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Same performance for both phones. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps | Both record 4K videos. Poco X3 Pro offers more fps options with EIS for better stabilization at lower resolutions. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide similar battery life for a full day. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Poco X3 Pro charges faster reducing waiting time. |
| Charger included | Yes | No | Galaxy M33 does not include a charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Galaxy M33 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi MiMO | Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Poco X3 Pro offers additional Wi-Fi MiMO for possibly faster data transfer and improved signal stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE | Poco X3 Pro offers higher quality audio codecs over Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Galaxy M33 offers more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Poco X3 Pro offers a 256GB option for users needing more storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both phones offer similar multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Poco X3 Pro provides better audio quality with stereo speakers enhancing media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide similar fingerprint sensor technology for unlocking devices. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X3 Pro offers slightly better scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Light, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Geomagnetic, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco X3 Pro has a light sensor whereas Samsung Galaxy M33 has Geomagnetic sensor. Both have similar features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides significantly better performance compared to the Exynos 1280, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming.
- Better Display Technology: IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and more accurate colors than the TFT LCD of the Samsung Galaxy M33.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging allows for quicker top-ups, reducing downtime.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers provide a superior media consumption experience.
- Better Selfie and Wide-Angle Camera: Higher resolutions for the selfie and wide-angle lenses result in more detailed photos.
- More options on video recording: The Poco X3 Pro offers more recording options like 1080p@120fps, 1080p@240fps, and 1080p@960fps with EIS.
- Better build quality: Gorilla Glass 6 provides better protection than Gorilla Glass 5
- More Storage Options: Available in 256 GB.
- Better Connectivity: Offers Wi-Fi MiMO and more Bluetooth audio codecs.
Samsung Galaxy M33 Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 12 out of the box.
- Lighter Design: Slightly lighter making it more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Better GPS: The Samsung Galaxy M33 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF): Provides quicker autofocus for photos.
- Newer Phone: It was released almost a year after the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
- Geomagnetic Sensor: It has Geomagnetic sensor, whereas the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a light sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco X3 Pro prioritizes performance, audio quality, and camera resolution at the expense of a slightly heavier design and an older Android version.
- The Galaxy M33 aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on a lighter build and newer software, but at the cost of performance and features.
- The Samsung Galaxy M33 does not include a charger in the box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset and Adreno 640 GPU ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance for multitasking, app loading, and general responsiveness.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy high-quality audio and video will appreciate the stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio, and more recording video fps options with EIS.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users that need higher resolution for the selfie and wide-angle lens.
Use Cases:
- Gaming sessions with demanding 3D titles.
- Video editing or other resource-intensive tasks.
- Watching movies and videos with high-fidelity audio.
- Capturing detailed selfies and wide-angle photos.
Samsung Galaxy M33 Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those looking for a reliable phone for everyday tasks and social media.
- Users that want a more up to date operating system: It ships with Android 12 out of the box.
- Users looking for a lighter device: It is slightly lighter and more comfortable to hold for long periods.
- Users that need more accurate location: It supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Use Cases:
- General social media browsing, messaging, and emails.
- Everyday photography in various lighting conditions.
- Basic gaming and media consumption.
- Users that need accurate GPS navigation.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers a higher performance-to-price ratio, especially for those prioritizing gaming, multimedia consumption, and photography.
- The Samsung Galaxy M33 is a good choice for users who prefer a lighter phone and newer software and don't need the best performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
How important is gaming and overall performance to you? If you prioritize performance for demanding tasks, the Poco X3 Pro is the better choice. If you need a reliable device for everyday use, the Galaxy M33 is an option.
Is a better screen and sound experience a must-have? The Poco X3 Pro's IPS LCD and stereo speakers offer a more immersive visual and audio experience.
How important is a newer Android version and a lighter design to you? The Galaxy M33 offers a newer OS and a slightly lighter design. If those features are more important then the performance, this would be your better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its superior performance and gaming-focused features.
- Scenario 2: Casual User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M33 for its lighter design, and newer Android version, if not the performance will suffer greatly.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its high-quality audio features and better screen, and a better camera for selfies and wide-angle photos.
- Scenario 4: User focused on price-to-performance: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for the higher performance for a similar price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. My decision is based on several factors:
- Performance: As someone who uses their phone for various tasks and occasional gaming, the Snapdragon 860 chipset and Adreno 640 GPU in the Poco X3 Pro offer a significant performance advantage.
- Multimedia Experience: The stereo speakers, better screen technology, and Hi-Res audio capabilities provide a much more immersive experience when watching videos and listening to music.
- Photography: The significantly higher resolution in the selfie camera is a plus. The better wide-angle lens and more options on video recording is also a plus for me.
- Value for Money: The Poco X3 Pro offers a higher performance-to-price ratio, making it a better choice overall for my needs.
While the Galaxy M33 has its strengths like the lighter design, newer Android, and better GPS, the performance and multimedia advantages of the Poco X3 Pro are more important to me.
