1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro and Xiaomi Poco C65:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 168 × 78 × 8.1 mm | The C65 is slightly taller and wider but noticeably thinner. The X3 Pro has larger overall volume, which may feel more bulky. |
| Weight | 215g | 192g | The C65 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The X3 Pro might feel heavy after some time. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | The X3 Pro has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass 6, while the C65's screen protection is unknown, increasing the risk of scratches. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.74" | Minimal difference in size. Both provide a large screen for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The X3 Pro offers much sharper text and images due to its higher resolution. The C65 has a noticeable lower clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 260 | The X3 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in better visual clarity and finer detail. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar display tech, with comparable color reproduction and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The X3 Pro provides smoother animations and transitions, making the user experience feel more fluid, especially while gaming or scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness. This information is not useful, likely a specification error. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | The X3 Pro has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 237,768 | The X3 Pro exhibits drastically better performance. This suggests much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better suitability for demanding games. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 640 in the X3 Pro provides substantially higher graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | The C65 has slightly higher megapixel count, however the X3 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The X3 Pro has a significantly better front camera for higher quality selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" Omnivision OV8856 | None | The X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens to capture more in a single frame; The C65 lacks this feature. |
| Portrait | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Omnivision OV02B1B | 2MP, f/2.4 | Comparable depth sensors for portrait photography, no significant advantage. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Hynix HI-259 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Comparable macro lenses for close-up photography, no significant advantage. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 960fps | 1080p@30fps | The X3 Pro can capture higher resolution videos with more slow-motion capabilities. The C65 is limited to 1080p. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Manual focus, Panorama, etc. | Triple camera, RAW support, etc. | The X3 Pro offers more camera features like manual focus and panorama; C65 includes RAW capture option for greater post-processing flexibility. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar capacity, indicating comparable battery endurance for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 18W fast charging | The X3 Pro charges considerably faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The C65 can act as a power bank to charge other devices, while the X3 Pro does not have this capability. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | C65 offers a newer operating system. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar WiFi standards; The X3 Pro has Wi-Fi MIMO for potentially improved connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, AptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.3, LE, AptX | The C65 has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better power efficiency and connectivity. X3 Pro has more audio codec support. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Same storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 4/6/8GB | Both offer similar options for multitasking. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The X3 Pro offers better audio with Hi-Res support and stereo speakers. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Similar sensor suites for both devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset offers a much higher performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall app responsiveness.
- Sharper Display: The 1080p resolution and higher pixel density provide a clearer, more detailed viewing experience.
- Smoother Experience: 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and transitions.
- Better Camera System: Has a better main and selfie camera and includes a wide-angle lens. Also, offers 4k recording.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging is noticeably quicker than the 18W of the C65.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 screen.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, which offers the latest features, security updates, and potentially better power efficiency.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for extended use due to its lower weight.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a portable power bank for other devices.
- Newer Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 offer potentially better power efficiency and connectivity.
- RAW Support: Offers RAW photo capture for more control during post-processing.
Trade-offs:
- The X3 Pro is bulkier and heavier, but offers superior performance and a better display.
- The C65 is lighter and has a newer OS but lags behind in performance and camera quality. The build quality is unknown which poses a risk of damage, and it lacks many features present in the X3 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, power users, media enthusiasts, anyone who prioritizes performance, smooth visuals, and good camera features.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming (high-performance titles, smooth gameplay).
- Heavy multitasking (running multiple apps simultaneously without slowdown).
- Video consumption (high-resolution, smooth playback).
- Photography (capturing detailed, high-quality photos, especially in low light).
- Price-to-Value: Despite being an older phone, it offers excellent performance for its current price, making it a great value for users who value performance.
Xiaomi Poco C65:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, casual users, those who prioritize a lightweight design and the latest Android OS.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks (browsing, social media, messaging).
- Basic photography (casual snapshots).
- Users who prefer a lightweight device.
- Those who want the latest OS for security updates.
- Price-to-Value: The phone is an entry-level option that would be good for casual use.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- What is your primary usage scenario? (Gaming, everyday use, photography, etc.)
- How important is performance and display quality to you? (Are you willing to compromise on performance for a lighter phone or vice-versa?)
- What is your budget? (Are you looking for the best value at a given price point?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a gamer or a power user: The Poco X3 Pro is the better choice due to its superior performance, smoother display, and faster charging.
- If you need a device for basic use and prefer a lighter weight phone: The Poco C65 is a more suitable option due to its lighter design, newer OS and reverse charging ability.
- If you are on a budget but still want a good experience: The Poco X3 Pro offers superior performance for its value.
- If you prioritize the latest Android version and want a light device: The Poco C65 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would select the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance is Key: I prioritize smooth performance, fast app loading, and a lag-free experience. The X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 is significantly more powerful, which would enhance daily use, gaming, and multitasking.
- Display Quality Matters: The higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate of the X3 Pro's display would be much more enjoyable for my media consumption and gaming needs.
- Superior Camera: I value the better main, selfie, and wide-angle cameras. Also, 4k recording can be handy in many situations.
- Overall Value: While the C65 is newer, the X3 Pro provides more value for the price due to its significantly better performance and display.
While the Poco C65 is lighter and has a newer operating system, I believe that the benefits offered by the X3 Pro outweigh the advantages of the C65. The performance and quality offered by the X3 Pro are crucial for my use case, and despite the newer OS of the C65, the X3 Pro would give me a more pleasant experience.
