Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Xiaomi Poco M5s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | X3 Pro is larger and bulkier, may be less comfortable for smaller hands and pocketing. M5s is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 215g | 178.8g | M5s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | X3 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for immersive viewing; M5s is more compact but slightly less immersive. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same sharpness, meaning no difference in pixel detail. |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Both have very similar pixel density, meaning negligible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | M5s has a superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | X3 Pro offers a much smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations, making it feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | M5s has dramatically higher brightness, making it much easier to use outdoors in bright sunlight. X3 Pro brightness information is not valid. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Helio G95 (12 nm) | X3 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 418,627 | X3 Pro scores much higher in benchmarks, confirming the performance difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G76 MC4 | X3 Pro’s Adreno 640 is significantly better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79 | 64MP, f/1.9 | M5s has higher resolution for more detail but slightly narrower aperture. X3 Pro may be better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | X3 Pro has higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially better for selfies in various conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | M5s has a larger sensor for its wide-angle lens, which should result in better image quality. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both are similar. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both are similar. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both can record 4K video, but X3 Pro has more slow-motion recording options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones support the same fast charging speed. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | M5s offers the ability to reverse charge other devices, a nice convenience feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 12 | M5s comes with a newer OS out of the box, but the X3 Pro can be updated to Android 12. |
| Other | |||
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB or 256 GB | Both come in different storage configurations. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | Both come in different ram configurations. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | X3 Pro has better screen protection. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset offers significantly better processing power and graphics capabilities, making it better for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate results in a noticeably smoother and more responsive user interface.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers superior screen protection
- Potentially Better Selfies: Higher resolution and wider aperture on the selfie camera may result in higher quality selfies.
- Better Video Recording Options: More slow motion video recording options than the M5s.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: The AMOLED display offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, and is much brighter for outdoor use.
- Lighter and More Compact: The M5s is easier to handle and carry due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
- Reverse Charging: M5s offers reverse charging functionality.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: The M5s has a higher megapixel count in the main camera and a larger wide angle sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The X3 Pro sacrifices display quality and portability for performance.
- The M5s sacrifices raw performance and smooth display for an enhanced visual experience and better ergonomics.
- Neither has expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, users who prioritize performance, users who value smooth scrolling over display quality.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, demanding app usage, heavy multitasking, smooth UI experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers high performance for its price point, excellent value for those needing a powerful device on a budget.
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Ideal User: Casual users, media consumers, photography enthusiasts who value image quality and outdoor visibility, and users who prefer a lighter, more compact phone.
- Use Cases: Watching videos, browsing social media, taking photos, everyday use, comfortable for one-handed operation.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for its display quality and camera capabilities but does not offer the same raw performance as the X3 Pro.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming/Performance vs. Media Consumption/Everyday Use)
- How important is display quality to me? (Do I prefer smooth scrolling or vibrant colors/outdoor visibility?)
- What is my budget? (Consider price differences, which are not given but are important)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a gamer or need a powerful phone for demanding tasks: The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is the better choice due to its superior performance, and 120Hz display.
- If you prioritize display quality, portability, and camera quality: The Xiaomi Poco M5s is the better choice with its superior AMOLED display, better ergonomics, and brighter screen.
- If you need the best of both: A compromise may need to be made. Both have pros and cons.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. My reasoning is that I would choose the superior performance and 120hz refresh rate. While the AMOLED display on the M5s is very appealing, and the smaller size is also nice, the performance difference is too significant to ignore, especially considering that the X3 Pro still has a decent enough display for its price range. I also value a smoother experience over a very vibrant screen. The ability to do some mobile gaming is also a huge plus for me, and the X3 Pro offers better protection.
