Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 10 III
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 154 × 68 × 8.3 mm | Poco X3 Pro is larger and bulkier, less pocketable; Xperia 10 III is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 215g | 169g | Poco X3 Pro feels heavier, could be less comfortable for long use; Xperia 10 III is significantly lighter and comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6" | Poco X3 Pro has a larger screen for media consumption; Xperia 10 III is more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2520 | Xperia 10 III has slightly sharper images due to higher resolution, though barely noticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 457 | Xperia 10 III has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Xperia 10 III has superior contrast, color accuracy and deeper blacks; Poco X3 Pro's colors may appear less vibrant. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco X3 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones lack brightness data; difficult to assess outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Poco X3 Pro is significantly faster, handles demanding apps and games easily; Xperia 10 III is adequate for everyday use but struggles with heavy tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 275,000 | Poco X3 Pro provides a much smoother and faster user experience than Xperia 10 III. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 619L | Poco X3 Pro has much better graphics performance, better for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 4500mAh | Poco X3 Pro likely offers longer battery life due to the larger capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Poco X3 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.79 | 12MP f/1.8 | Poco X3 Pro captures higher detail in good light; Xperia 10 III may have slightly better low-light performance due to larger pixel size on the sensor but pixel size is not specified. |
| Telephoto + portrait | Not Available | 8MP f/2.4 | Xperia 10 III has a telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots; Poco X3 Pro relies on digital zoom for similar effects. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | Poco X3 Pro takes higher-resolution selfies; Xperia 10 III's wider aperture might result in slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | Both have comparable wide-angle capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Poco X3 Pro can capture close-up shots with its macro lens; Xperia 10 III does not have macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p multiple frame rates | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Poco X3 Pro offers more slow-motion options and more fps at 1080p |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, manual focus | Triple camera | Poco X3 Pro has a more versatile camera system with more shooting options; Xperia 10 III is more basic. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Sony Xperia 10 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Xperia 10 III has a longer potential software update support period. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac | Poco X3 Pro offers potentially slightly faster wifi transfer speeds through wifi mimo. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Xperia 10 III has a newer version with potentially more stable and efficient connections; more audio features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Xperia 10 III offers more satellite support; potentially faster and more precise location. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | Poco X3 Pro has a larger storage option for those needing more space. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB | Poco X3 Pro offers 8GB of RAM which may improve multi-tasking and performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage, limiting storage potential. |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | Poco X3 Pro offers more immersive audio with stereo speakers; Xperia 10 III is more basic but has 2 microphones for better voice recording. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones offer similar biometric security through fingerprint recognition. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Both devices use the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Hall | Poco X3 Pro's Gyroscope and Ultrasonic Proximity add features for gaming and virtual reality. Xperia has Hall sensor which is used for sensing external conditions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 860 chipset offers much higher processing power for smoother operation, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz display provides a much smoother scrolling and gaming experience.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Offers longer battery life and quicker charging for users who need to use their phone frequently.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a more comprehensive set of cameras with dedicated macro and depth sensors and better video capabilities.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides enhanced audio immersion for better media consumption.
- More Storage/RAM: Option for more internal storage and RAM for demanding users.
Sony Xperia 10 III Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter Design: Offers a comfortable one-handed use experience and is more portable.
- Sharper and More Vibrant Display: OLED screen with higher pixel density provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and sharper visuals.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Provides improved connectivity and audio experience.
- Potentially Longer Software Support: May receive one more Android upgrade compared to the Poco X3 Pro.
- Better Location Accuracy: Offers better location tracking due to QZSS satellite system compatibility.
- Telephoto lens: Provides the user a dedicated lens for zoom and portrait shots.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro: sacrifices portability and display quality for performance and battery.
- Xperia 10 III: sacrifices performance and camera versatility for portability and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is ideal for:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset, high refresh rate, and stereo speakers create a much better gaming experience.
- Heavy Multitaskers: The 8 GB of RAM helps in performance when running multiple apps.
- Media Consumers: Large screen, high refresh rate, and stereo speakers provides a premium experience for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users who need longer battery: Larger battery and faster charging helps users on the go.
- Value Seekers: Offers exceptional performance at a competitive price.
Sony Xperia 10 III is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize portability: Compact size and light weight make it easy to carry and use with one hand.
- Users who value display quality: OLED display provides superior color accuracy and contrast.
- Users who value updated software: Likely to receive longer software update support for a longer device lifespan.
- Users who need the telephoto lens: Offers users a telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots.
- Everyday Users: Suitable for browsing, social media, and communication.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Prioritize Performance or Portability?: Do you prioritize gaming and smooth multitasking, or is a compact size more important?
- Display Preferences?: Do you prefer vibrant colors and deeper blacks (OLED) or a smoother refresh rate and potentially larger size (120Hz IPS LCD)?
- Camera Versatility?: Do you need a diverse set of camera options, or is a basic camera system adequate for your needs?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its superior performance, higher refresh rate, and immersive audio.
- Everyday Use and Portability: Choose the Sony Xperia 10 III for its compact design, OLED screen, and light weight.
- Photography Enthusiasts (On a Budget): The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers more camera features and modes; if zoom is important consider the Sony Xperia 10 III for the telephoto lens.
- Media Consumption: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers better audio and larger size.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally opt for the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While the Sony Xperia 10 III has a more premium display with OLED technology, the overall performance gap between the two is significant. As a power user who enjoys mobile gaming and multitasking, the Snapdragon 860 chipset and the 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco X3 Pro provide a much smoother and enjoyable experience. The slightly larger size and weight are a reasonable trade-off for the increased performance and battery life. Additionally, the versatile camera system of the Poco X3 Pro provides more flexibility for different shooting scenarios. While the Xperia 10 III's telephoto lens is a nice addition, it does not outweigh the general usability and higher performance of the Poco X3 Pro, especially considering its lower price point. The lack of expandable storage on both phones is not ideal, but it is not a deal-breaker.
