1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | Poco X3 Pro is taller and thicker, S24 Ultra is wider. Poco X3 Pro has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 215g | 232g | Poco X3 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 6, | Gorilla Glass Armor | Slightly better scratch resistance with Gorilla Glass Armor. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; no folding capability. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra provides much sharper visuals with more pixels, noticeably crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 395 | 505 | S24 Ultra's higher pixel density results in significantly clearer, more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | (Unknown) | Poco X3 Pro uses IPS LCD; Technology of S24 Ultra's screen is unknown. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra is vastly superior in outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra offers significantly faster processing speeds, better power efficiency, and is overall a more modern chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra provides significantly better performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | S24 Ultra has a faster GPU, enabling smoother, higher-quality gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", Samsung ISOCELL HP2 | S24 Ultra captures much more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. Larger sensor means better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | None | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", Sony IMX854 | S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots, which the X3 Pro lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | Poco X3 Pro takes higher-resolution selfies, however sensor info is missing for S24 Ultra, so image quality can't be precisely determined |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", Sony IMX754 | S24 Ultra has a telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX564 | S24 Ultra takes wider and clearer wide-angle photos, with larger sensor for low light photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | None | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. S24 Ultra utilizes other methods for depth. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259 | None | Poco X3 Pro can take dedicated macro shots. S24 Ultra lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p options, Slow-motion: 960 fps with EIS | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, 4K options, Slow-motion: 240 fps | S24 Ultra captures higher-resolution videos with superior stabilization, HDR, and sound. The X3 Pro takes slow motion at 960 fps, the S24 Ultra only goes to 240. |
| DxoMark Score | None | Mobile: 144 (Photo: 144, Video: 137) | S24 Ultra has been tested by DxoMark and achieved a very high score. The Poco X3 Pro has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | S24 Ultra has Optical Zoom, Night Mode 2.0, and RAW support, and Phase Detection Autofocus |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery sizes, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 45W fast charging, Li-Ion | S24 Ultra charges faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | S24 Ultra offers advanced charging features, making it more versatile. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 14 (up to 21) | S24 Ultra has a newer operating system and will receive more software updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | S24 Ultra offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance, especially in crowded areas, due to Wi-Fi 6E and access to the 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.3, LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, ANT+, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | S24 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with support for more profiles, leading to better connectivity and features with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra provides more precise location accuracy with broader satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra supports eSIM for added flexibility in carrier management. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | S24 Ultra offers more storage, allowing for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra provides much better performance in multitasking and demanding apps due to higher RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external memory expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers; Poco X3 Pro has Hi-Res Audio, while S24 Ultra has noise cancellation. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Poco X3 Pro has a faster and easier to access fingerprint scanner (side-mounted) which is generally preferred over the S24's in-screen fingerprint sensor. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S24 Ultra has a barometer, for accurate altitude readings, while the X3 Pro has a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages
- Lighter Weight: The Poco X3 Pro is 17g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner offers better ergonomics than the in-screen scanner.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The Poco X3 Pro offers 20MP for its selfie camera vs 12MP on the Samsung.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Sensors: The Poco X3 Pro offers dedicated depth and macro sensors that the S24 Ultra lacks.
- Hi-Res Audio: The X3 Pro offers Hi-Res Audio, while the S24 Ultra does not.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, and much brighter screen for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Vastly Superior Performance: Cutting-edge processor with significantly better benchmark scores for smoother, faster performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Significantly higher resolution main camera, additional telephoto lenses, and a more advanced wide-angle lens. The Samsung S24 Ultra is better in almost all aspects regarding camera.
- Better Video Recording: Much higher resolution video recording and image stabilization features.
- Newer Software: Android 14 with longer update support.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging and wireless charging with reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- More Storage and RAM: Up to 1TB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
- eSIM Support: Added flexibility with eSIM for digital carrier switching.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6E and more satellite systems for GPS.
Trade-offs
- Price: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro.
- Weight: The Samsung S24 Ultra is heavier than the Poco X3 Pro, which might make it less comfortable for some users.
- Selfie Camera: The selfie camera on the S24 Ultra is lower in resolution than the Poco X3 Pro.
- Depth and Macro Sensors: The S24 Ultra lacks a dedicated depth sensor and macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User
- Budget-conscious Users: Prioritize price-to-performance over high-end features.
- Casual Gamers: The phone can handle gaming at medium settings, with good performance.
- Users Prioritizing Battery: The large battery and lightweight design will be better for battery endurance and ease of handling.
- Users who want Macro and Depth sensor: The Poco X3 Pro offers dedicated macro and depth sensors for those who want to take a variety of pictures.
- Users who like high-resolution selfies: The Poco X3 Pro has a 20 MP front-facing camera compared to the 12MP on the S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Ideal User
- High-End Users: Want the latest technology and are willing to pay a premium.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Demand the best camera quality, versatile zoom options, and advanced features.
- Power Users: Require top-tier processing power, RAM, and storage for multitasking and heavy app use.
- Professionals: Benefit from the large, high-quality display, advanced connectivity, and S Pen support.
- Users who need great outdoor visibility: The superior display brightness makes the S24 Ultra excellent in outdoor use.
Specific Use Cases
- Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Daily usage, web browsing, social media, and watching videos.
- Casual gaming.
- Budget oriented photography.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming at the highest settings.
- Demanding productivity tasks.
- Long commutes where media consumption is required and better readability in sunlight is needed.
- Anyone who needs maximum performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use Case: What will be the main activities you perform on your phone (e.g., gaming, photography, general use)?
- Longevity: How long do you plan to use the phone before upgrading?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious User
- If your primary concern is cost, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better option.
- Scenario 2: High-End User
- If you desire cutting-edge performance, the best camera features, and are comfortable with a higher price, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use
- If you desire good performance for gaming, and want features like high resolution selfies and dedicated macro sensors for a lower cost, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Focus on Camera Performance and Outdoor Use
- If you need the best camera quality, best display in bright sunlight, and the latest features, then the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. My primary reason for this is the dramatically superior camera system, the higher resolution and brightness of the display, the faster and more efficient processor, and the advanced charging features. While the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has its advantages, like the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and lighter weight, the overall performance, feature set, and future-proofing of the S24 Ultra make it the better option for me, despite the significantly higher price. While the S24 Ultra has a lower resolution selfie camera, its enhanced photo capabilities on the other cameras would be worth it to me. Also, since I do use my phone outdoors often, the brightness of the S24 Ultra screen would also be worth it.
