1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | The Poco M4 Pro is noticeably smaller, thinner, and easier to handle, especially for users with smaller hands. The X3 Pro is larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 215g | 179.5g | The Poco M4 Pro is significantly lighter (35.5g), making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | No data available to compare the build materials. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | The X3 Pro has a slightly larger display, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming, while the M4 Pro is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same level of detail and sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Both have very similar sharpness, indistinguishable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The M4 Pro's AMOLED display offers much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, ideal for media consumption and dark mode users. The X3 Pro's IPS LCD is adequate but less visually impressive. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The X3 Pro provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations with its 120Hz refresh rate, noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. The M4 Pro is still smooth at 90hz but less so. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No data available to compare outdoor screen visibility and HDR capabilities. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | The Snapdragon 860 in the X3 Pro is significantly more powerful than the Helio G96 in the M4 Pro. Expect snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better performance in demanding games and apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 438,700 | The X3 Pro has much higher benchmark scores, indicating significantly better performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Adreno 640 in the X3 Pro offers significantly better graphics performance, critical for smooth gaming experiences. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | The X3 Pro's larger sensor size should capture more light and perform better in low-light conditions. The M4 Pro has a slightly higher megapixel count, potentially resulting in slightly more detailed photos, although the impact is likely minimal in most conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | The X3 Pro has higher resolution, theoretically capturing slightly more detail. The M4 Pro has a slightly larger pixel size and sensor size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | The M4 Pro has a larger sensor size, theoretically leading to better wide-angle photos, particularly in low-light conditions. |
| Depth/Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | N/A | The X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor to capture more accurate portrait mode photos. The M4 Pro relies on software processing. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | N/A | The X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots; The M4 Pro does not have a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | The X3 Pro can record 4K videos, giving better detail and quality. The M4 Pro is limited to 1080p video capture. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a large battery offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. There is minimal practical difference between these capacities. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both support fast charging, with similar speeds. |
| Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion Polymer | Both types are similar and don't result in a noticeable practical difference. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset and Adreno 640 GPU provide much better performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother.
- 4K Video Recording: Capable of recording videos in higher resolution for superior video quality.
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lenses: Offers more versatile photography with specific lenses for portrait and macro shots.
- Additional Camera Features: The X3 Pro has some additional features including 4K video recording, and Quadruple camera.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED display provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for extended use and easier to handle with one hand.
- More Recent Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.1 is a more recent version than the 5.0 found in the X3 Pro, this could provide better connections and power efficiency although the impact is minimal.
- Slightly Improved Wide Angle Camera: Has a larger sensor for better wide-angle shots, especially in low light.
- Additional Audio Features: Features Dolby Atmos and 2 microphones for enhanced audio experiences
- Ultra Stable Video and Night Mode: The M4 Pro includes ultra stable video and night mode for better video and low-light images.
Trade-offs
- The X3 Pro sacrifices a vibrant display and portability for raw processing power and additional camera lenses.
- The M4 Pro compromises on performance and video capabilities for superior screen quality and more ergonomic design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Ideal User
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize raw performance and smooth gameplay will benefit from the Snapdragon 860 and Adreno 640.
- Performance Enthusiasts: Those who frequently use demanding apps, multitask heavily, or desire the fastest possible experience.
- Budget Filmmakers: Users who need to capture 4K videos with their phone.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Benefit from the more versatile camera system with dedicated macro and depth lenses.
- Users wanting a large display: The 6.67" display provides an immersive media and gaming experience.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intense mobile games.
- Video editing on the go.
- Heavy multitasking between applications.
- Capturing detailed photographs in various situations, including macro shots.
- Recording high-quality 4K videos
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal User
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize a good-looking display, comfortable design, and reliable performance for everyday use.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or browse social media will appreciate the AMOLED display.
- Users who prefer portability and handling: Those who value a lightweight device that is easier to hold and use with one hand.
- Users wanting advanced Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and 2 microphones makes this phone ideal for users who value a good audio experience.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and browsing social media.
- Everyday tasks such as checking emails and light web browsing.
- Taking photos of landscapes or groups using the wide-angle lens.
- Using the device for extended periods without hand fatigue.
- Listening to music or watching videos in a more immersive audio experience.
Price-to-Value
- The X3 Pro offers a much higher performance-to-price ratio, especially for gaming enthusiasts.
- The M4 Pro may offer a better value for users who prioritize a better display, comfort, and audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- Performance or Display Quality? Do you value smooth, high-performance gaming/apps, or would you prefer a more vibrant and color-accurate screen?
- Portability or Screen Size? Do you want a smaller, lighter phone, or a larger display for immersive media consumption?
- Camera Versatility or Display quality? Do you want a more versatile camera system with additional macro and depth lenses, or a better screen quality for viewing photos and videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: If gaming is your priority, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the clear choice due to its vastly superior performance.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumption: If you primarily watch videos, browse social media, and value display quality, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro with its AMOLED display is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Everyday Use with Occasional Gaming: If you want a comfortable and practical phone for everyday use with occasional gaming, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is more suitable, although the X3 Pro could be viable if its performance is a must.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: If you want the most versatile photography capabilities, then the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro with additional lenses would be more beneficial.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. While I appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display of the M4 Pro, my preference leans towards a high-performance device. The Snapdragon 860 is a significant advantage for gaming, multitasking, and overall app loading speeds, which I value more than a superior display. The addition of a macro and depth sensor in the camera system is also appealing and allows for more versatility in my photos. The slight increase in weight is a trade-off I'm willing to make for the enhanced processing power and camera capabilities, especially since I value smooth gameplay.
