Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 is slightly taller, Poco X3 Pro is thicker; affects pocketability and hand feel. |
| Weight | 215g | 198.5g | Redmi 12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Visually similar sharpness; negligible real-world difference. |
| PPI | 395 | 396 | Identical pixel density; both screens appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles; no difference in quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco X3 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness which isn't usable, meaning the brightness is not available at the moment. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Poco X3 Pro has significantly more powerful chipset for demanding tasks, gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 249,400 | Poco X3 Pro offers much faster app loading, better multitasking and a smoother user interface. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Poco X3 Pro's GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks and gaming significantly better. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Very similar battery capacity; expect comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Poco X3 Pro charges significantly faster; less time plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 9W reverse wired charging | Redmi 12 can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Redmi 12 offers slightly higher resolution, but Poco X3 Pro has a larger sensor and wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.80µm | 8MP, f/2.1 | Poco X3 Pro has significantly higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies. |
| Rear Wide | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", OV8856, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | Redmi 12 has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light wide-angle performance. |
| Rear Depth | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", OV02B1B, 1.75µm | N/A | Poco X3 Pro has dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Rear Macro | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lens performance; good for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco X3 Pro records higher-resolution video, better for vlogging. |
| Features | 4K Video, Quad camera, EIS, Autofocus, Manual Focus, Panorama, etc. | 4K Video, Triple camera, EIS, Autofocus, RAW, etc. | Poco X3 Pro has more features (Panorama) and a better camera setup (Quad) while Redmi 12 has RAW for better editing. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Redmi 12 has a more recent Android version out of the box and will likely receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO (X3 Pro Only) | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | Poco X3 Pro offers Wi-Fi MiMO for enhanced wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.3 LE, A2DP, LE, aptX | Redmi 12 has newer Bluetooth standard for better efficiency, Poco X3 Pro supports more codecs for high fidelity audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Identical location capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Similar dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB | Similar RAM options for multitasking; varies by model. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Poco X3 Pro provides superior audio experience due to higher fidelity audio and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Same fingerprint reader placement and functionality for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Poco X3 Pro has significantly better screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Same sensors for identical functionality like screen orientation or fitness tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides much higher performance, leading to smoother gaming, faster app loading, and better multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother user experience when scrolling and using the phone.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging fills the battery up more quickly than the Redmi 12's 18W charging.
- Better Main Camera: The Poco X3 Pro has a larger main camera sensor which tends to produce better images in low light.
- Higher Quality Audio: The Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers enhance the multimedia experience.
- More advanced Video Recording: The 4K recording allows for better quality video.
- Superior Screen Protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protects against more wear and tear.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13, ensuring longer software support and more current features.
- Lighter Design: The Redmi 12 is lighter and slightly thinner, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices using its battery, acting as a portable power bank.
- More advanced Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 is better at saving battery while still being functional.
- Larger wide-angle sensor: The 1/2.8" sensor on the wide-angle lens may allow for better wide-angle photos.
- RAW camera mode: The RAW support allows for much more flexibility when editing.
Trade-offs:
- Poco X3 Pro trades a newer operating system, and lighter design for significant performance gains and better screen protection.
- Redmi 12 trades performance for a newer OS, lighter design and a potentially better battery life with the ability to use as a reverse charging device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users who need smooth and fast performance for demanding tasks, and multimedia enthusiasts who prioritize audio and video quality.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, running multiple apps simultaneously, enjoying media with high-fidelity audio.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for users who prioritize performance and don't mind slightly older software.
Xiaomi Redmi 12:
- Ideal User: Casual users, those who want a modern device with the latest software, users who prioritize battery life and weight.
- Use Cases: Daily social media, web browsing, casual gaming, media consumption with a focus on battery longevity, acting as a portable charger.
- Price-to-Value: Good option for buyers looking for a solid phone with the latest features and balanced capabilities at a reasonable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need maximum performance for gaming and demanding apps (Poco X3 Pro), or is a smoother experience with the latest software enough (Redmi 12)?
- Software Preference: Do you prioritize the latest software updates (Redmi 12), or is an older, still functional software fine (Poco X3 Pro)?
- Features: Is faster charging (Poco X3 Pro) or reverse charging (Redmi 12) more important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Poco X3 Pro for its powerful processor and 120Hz display.
- Casual User: The Redmi 12 offers a more balanced experience with its newer software and lighter build.
- Frequent Traveler: The Redmi 12 is a strong candidate because of its lighter build and reverse charging capability.
- Multimedia Consumer: Choose the Poco X3 Pro due to its Hi-Res audio, stereo speakers and higher quality video recording capabilities.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. My reasoning is:
- Performance: I prioritize performance and the ability to handle demanding tasks smoothly. The Snapdragon 860 chipset is significantly more capable than the Helio G88.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in the fluidity of everyday use, providing a better experience when gaming or browsing.
- Multimedia: The combination of stereo speakers and high quality video capture provides a much more enjoyable and higher quality media experience.
- Screen Protection: I tend to be clumsy with my phone, therefore the Corning Gorilla Glass 6 would provide much more piece of mind against scratches or drops.
While the Redmi 12 offers a newer OS, and lighter build, I value the performance and multimedia enhancements of the Poco X3 Pro more than these factors, making it the more appealing choice for my needs.
