1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-24 | 2021-10-03 | M52 5G is newer, potentially having longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 164.2 x 76.4 x 7.4 mm | Poco X3 Pro is slightly larger and significantly thicker, which may affect comfort for some users. M52 5G is slimmer and likely more pocketable. |
| Weight | 215g | 173g | M52 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in size. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer similar sharpness, ideal for daily use. |
| PPI | 395 | 393 | Negligible difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | M52 5G's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, improving the viewing experience, particularly in dark environments and for HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | M52 5G has dramatically better outdoor visibility, making it usable in direct sunlight. The 0 nits value for the X3 Pro seems incorrect and likely a missing specification. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 offers slightly better raw performance, but the M52's 778G 5G is more efficient and supports 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 589,200 | Poco X3 Pro has a slightly higher score, indicating slightly better benchmark performance. In day to day use the difference will be negligible. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 642L | Poco X3 Pro's Adreno 640 offers slightly better gaming performance, but the 642L is still very capable. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160 mAh | 5000 mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | Poco X3 Pro charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", IMX582 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.97", GW3 | M52 5G has a higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detailed photos in good light. Both have the same size pixels. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", S5K3T2 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX616 | M52 5G has higher resolution and a larger sensor, which can result in better selfies, particularly in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", OV8856 | None | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", OV02B1B | 5MP, f/2.4 | M52 5G has a higher resolution depth sensor, potentially improving portrait mode accuracy, but the sensor is unknown. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", HI-259 | None | Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", IMX258 | M52 5G combines wide angle and macro functionality for more versatile shooting. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer 4K video recording, but the X3 Pro has more slow motion options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | M52 5G has potentially longer software support due to the later launch date and upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | M52 5G supports Wi-Fi 6, which may offer faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 | Minor differences in supported profiles, but both offer good Bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | M52 5G supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB | Poco X3 Pro offers a 256 GB storage option, providing more space for media. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both phones offer sufficient RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which is a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Poco X3 Pro offers a better audio playback experience with Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers, while M52 5G focuses on enhancing the recording quality via Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones feature a side-mounted fingerprint for quick and secure access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X3 Pro has a newer generation of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Poco X3 Pro includes additional sensors like a compass and an ultrasonic proximity sensor. The Samsung M52 includes a geomagnetic sensor, but neither phone seems to have a light sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 860 offers a slight edge in benchmark performance, which might translate to marginally better gaming.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is faster than 25W, reducing charging times.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro: Includes dedicated lenses for both wide-angle and macro photography, offering more versatility.
- Superior Audio Playback: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 6 offers slightly better scratch protection.
- Storage: Offers an optional 256 GB variant.
- More Sensors: Includes a compass and ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen offers better color, contrast, and brightness, especially outdoors.
- Lighter and Thinner Design: Significantly lighter and slimmer, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor on the selfie camera, resulting in better selfies in most lighting conditions.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution main camera for more detailed photos.
- Wider Angle + Macro: Includes a combined wide-angle and macro camera, simplifying the camera setup and offering versatile options.
- 5G Support: Future-proofed with 5G connectivity.
- Newer Software: Comes with newer software and potentially longer update support.
- Wi-Fi 6: Supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard for faster speeds on compatible networks.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for potentially more precise location tracking.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Focuses on enhancing the recording quality via Dolby Atmos.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: Heavier, thicker, inferior display technology, lacks 5G, older software, slower charging (25W vs 33W)
- M52 5G: Slightly lower benchmark performance and slower charging speeds, lacks dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses and stereo speakers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User:
- Gamers: Those who prioritize raw performance, especially for graphically intensive games.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible audio experience with Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers.
- Photography Beginners: Those who value wide-angle and macro photography as well as standard shooting, but don't mind the slightly lower quality.
- Users on a Budget: Who want good performance at the lowest possible price.
Use Cases for Poco X3 Pro:
- Mobile gaming, playing graphically demanding games.
- Watching videos and listening to music with good quality stereo speakers.
- Creative photography with macro and wide angle modes.
- Users that prefer a more classic design language, with a bigger frame and bigger dimensions.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Ideal User:
- Content Consumers: Those who prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption.
- Social Media Users: Those who prioritize high-quality selfies.
- Everyday Users: Those who want a lightweight and comfortable phone.
- Future Proofed Buyers: Those who want 5G support and longer software support.
Use Cases for M52 5G:
- Streaming videos on a high-quality AMOLED screen.
- Taking and sharing high-quality selfies on social media.
- Everyday usage where comfort and weight are important.
- 5G users who need to be connected with the latest technology.
Price-to-Value:
- The Poco X3 Pro offers better performance and some additional features for a lower price, making it a good value for budget-conscious users.
- The M52 5G offers better display and camera quality, and a more refined experience for slightly more money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my priority: Performance or Display Quality? If raw performance and gaming are key, the Poco X3 Pro may be better. For a superior viewing experience with vibrant colors, the M52 5G wins.
- Do I need 5G connectivity? If 5G is important for future-proofing, the M52 5G is the only option.
- Is portability a major factor? If so, the significantly lighter and thinner M52 5G is much more comfortable for extended use.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Poco X3 Pro. The slightly better performance from the Snapdragon 860 and slightly better screen protection makes it a better choice for mobile gamers.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption Enthusiast: Samsung Galaxy M52 5G. The vibrant AMOLED display and its superior outdoor visibility make it a much better choice for watching videos and content.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User (Comfort and Portability): Samsung Galaxy M52 5G. Its lighter, thinner design makes it more convenient for daily use.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: It depends. For the best selfies and all-around image quality the M52 5G is slightly better. For more flexibility with wide angle and macro, and a lower budget, the Poco X3 Pro is better.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G.
Here's why:
While the Poco X3 Pro offers a performance advantage and some additional features, the M52 5G's strengths align better with my personal needs and preferences. The AMOLED display is a major draw for me, as I consume a lot of video content and appreciate vibrant colors and deep blacks. The significantly lighter and thinner design of the M52 5G also makes it much more comfortable for daily handling and carrying around, which is something I would value greatly.
The 5G support is important for future-proofing, and the software on the M52 5G is newer than the X3 Pro. While the X3 Pro has a slight edge in audio quality, the M52 5G offers a very good experience in that department, while also providing better quality when recording audio. The main camera on the M52 5G is also much better in terms of color and clarity, which are important for me.
Although the slightly lower benchmark performance compared to the X3 Pro is a minor drawback, the overall user experience with the M52 5G, in my view, is superior due to its display, design, software and camera quality. This makes it the best choice for my usage scenario.
