1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 168.2 × 75.5 × 8.1 mm | TCL 50 SE is taller and thinner, while Poco X3 Pro is wider and thicker. Poco X3 Pro will feel more bulky in the pocket, while the TCL 50 SE might be easier to handle. |
| Weight | 215g | 195g | TCL 50 SE is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Poco X3 Pro will feel heavier during extended periods of use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | TCL 50 SE has a slightly larger screen, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both have very similar resolutions; the minor difference is not noticeable in everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 396 | Both phones have almost identical pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both have similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, which can feel more responsive in day-to-day use. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 50 SE offers dramatically better screen visibility in bright sunlight and outdoor conditions. Poco X3 Pro's brightness information is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 860 offers significantly higher processing power, making the Poco X3 Pro perform better for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. The Mediatek G88 in the TCL 50 SE is better suited for everyday use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 250,000 | Poco X3 Pro is much faster and smoother in running apps and games due to higher performance. TCL 50 SE will not handle as many demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 640 in the Poco X3 Pro is much more capable, resulting in smoother and more detailed graphics in games and other graphically intensive applications. The Mali G52 MC2 in the TCL 50 SE is capable of everyday graphic tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582, 0.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm pixels | TCL 50 SE has slightly higher resolution. Poco X3 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, which should lead to better low-light performance. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2, 0.80µm pixels | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixels | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera with a smaller sensor, while the TCL 50 SE has a wider aperture and larger pixel size, which should lead to better low light pictures. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | Poco X3 Pro offers a wider field of view which can capture more of a scene in a photo |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor, which should lead to more effective and accurate background blur in portrait mode. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixels | Both have a dedicated macro sensor for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers much better video recording options including 4k, 1080p @ 120 and 240 fps, while TCL 50 SE only offers 1080p @30fps, for higher-quality video and more options. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Manual focus, and other basic settings | Dual camera, PDAF, and other basic settings | The Poco X3 Pro offers a greater range of shooting options and more control over the camera, while the TCL 50 SE has PDAF for quicker focusing. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5010mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, which suggests comparable all day battery life depending on usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both support fast charging, meaning both will charge quicker, reducing waiting times. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides significantly faster processing, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a much smoother and more responsive experience.
- Advanced Camera System: The Poco X3 Pro has a more versatile camera system with a wide-angle lens, depth sensor, 4K video recording, and more manual controls.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality with Hi-Res Audio for better music and video playback.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protects the display more.
Practical Implications: The Poco X3 Pro is the better phone for users who prioritize performance, gaming, and advanced photography features. It handles demanding tasks with much greater ease.
TCL 50 SE Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 900 nits brightness offers much better visibility in bright sunlight, which enhances usability in outdoor environments.
- Lighter Build: A lighter phone is more comfortable for extended use and carrying around.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 out of the box and has newer Bluetooth version.
- Better selfie camera sensor: Offers bigger pixel size, leading to better low-light images with the selfie camera.
Practical Implications: The TCL 50 SE is better suited for users who prioritize a lightweight device, outdoor visibility, and a newer software experience.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco X3 Pro trades a thicker, heavier design, and potentially lower outdoor visibility for significantly more performance and an enhanced camera system.
- The TCL 50 SE trades performance, a versatile camera system and audio fidelity for a lighter build, brighter display, and newer software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who value smooth performance and are less concerned with weight or a slightly bulkier build.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: Runs demanding games smoothly with high frame rates.
- Video Editing: Handles video editing and rendering tasks better due to processing power.
- Photography: Versatile camera setup for diverse shooting scenarios.
- Multitasking: Handles heavy multitasking with better speed and efficiency.
TCL 50 SE:
- Ideal User: Everyday users who prioritize a lightweight phone with a bright display for outdoor use, and the latest Android version. It's suitable for users who aren't heavy gamers or doing demanding tasks on their phone.
- Use Cases:
- Outdoor Use: High screen brightness for good visibility in bright sunlight.
- Everyday Tasks: Browsing, social media, and general app use.
- Media Consumption: Watching videos and movies, thanks to the slightly larger display.
- Longer Use: More comfortable for extended use due to lighter build.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Given its higher performance and more advanced camera system, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers better value for users needing that performance and functionality.
- The TCL 50 SE offers a modern phone with a bright display for everyday use at a potentially lower price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and gaming? If yes, the Poco X3 Pro is the better option.
- Do you frequently use your phone in bright outdoor conditions? If yes, the TCL 50 SE is the better option.
- Is having a lightweight device more important than high performance? If yes, the TCL 50 SE is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User plays mobile games, edits videos, or uses demanding apps often. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Scenario 2: User primarily uses social media, browses the web, watches videos, and needs better outdoor visibility. Recommendation: TCL 50 SE
- Scenario 3: User wants a high performing phone for as cheap as possible without sacrificing much. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While the TCL 50 SE has a few advantages like a brighter screen for outdoor visibility and a newer software experience, the sheer performance difference offered by the Snapdragon 860 is too significant to ignore. As someone who values fast and smooth performance, it would be a better choice. The better camera system with 4K capabilities and added manual controls makes it the ideal option for me. The extra features and enhanced audio quality would be useful for me. While the weight may be a bit heavier, the overall benefits of superior performance and an advanced camera outweigh the disadvantages. For me, the main use would be gaming, recording, and some video editing, all of which the X3 Pro is much better at.
