Xiaomi Poco M3

Xiaomi Poco M3 Review

Key Features

The Xiaomi Poco M3, launched in late 2020, is a budget-friendly smartphone offering a large 6.53-inch IPS LCD display, a substantial 6000mAh battery, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 chipset. It features a triple-camera setup on the rear, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and stereo speakers. This device runs on Android 10 and provides a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. The phone is available in configurations of 4GB or 6GB of RAM, paired with either 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Large Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day, even with heavy usage.
• Stereo Speakers: Dual speakers deliver a more immersive audio experience compared to many phones in its price range.
• Good Display: The 6.53-inch FHD+ IPS LCD screen offers good clarity with a pixel density of 395 ppi and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
• Fast Charging: Supports 18W fast charging with a 22.5W charger included in the box.
• Affordable Price: The Poco M3 is positioned as a budget-friendly device, offering a strong value proposition.
• Decent Performance: The Snapdragon 662 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks and light gaming.

Cons:

• No NFC: Lacks NFC, which may be a drawback for users who rely on contactless payments.
• Operating System: Launched with Android 10, which is an older version of Android.
• Camera Performance: Although a 48MP sensor is included, it does not produce top-tier images and lacks optical image stabilization
• Plastic Build: Primarily built with plastic materials, which may not feel as premium as phones with metal or glass.
• No SD card support: Memory capacity is limited to 64 or 128GB as there is no option to expand the memory.
• No high refresh rate: The display is limited to a standard 60Hz.

User Experience

The Xiaomi Poco M3 provides a satisfactory user experience for its price point. The large display is suitable for media consumption and the stereo speakers enhance the audio quality. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable, and the large battery ensures all-day usage. The Snapdragon 662 processor handles day-to-day tasks with relative ease, but struggles with more demanding applications or graphically intense games. The Android 10 software, coupled with Xiaomi's MIUI skin, is functional, but it would have been better with more recent Android updates.

The absence of NFC is a drawback for some users, and the plastic build feels less premium than other materials. The camera performance, while acceptable for casual snapshots, is not a strong suit, lacking optical image stabilization and other advanced camera features.

Hardware & Design

The Poco M3 has a plastic build with dimensions of 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm and weighs 198g. The design is functional but lacks high-end appeal. The front display has a waterdrop notch that houses the selfie camera and the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the side-mounted power button. The rear houses a triple camera setup and a large Poco branded area.

Internally, the phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor with an octa-core CPU configuration (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) and Adreno 610 GPU. It has options for 4 GB or 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64 GB or 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The device has a USB Type-C 2.0 port with OTG support. It also includes features such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass. The phone has dual SIM dual standby functionality.

The 6.53-inch IPS LCD display has a resolution of 2340x1080, a pixel density of 395 ppi and a 1500:1 contrast ratio with a typical brightness of 400 nits.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Poco M3 is a solid budget smartphone focused on delivering value with its large battery, good display, and stereo speakers. Its drawbacks include an older Android version, lack of NFC, plastic build, and average camera performance. It's a suitable option for users looking for a cost-effective phone with good battery life, decent performance for everyday tasks and a pleasant media consumption experience. It is not the device to choose if high-end camera performance, NFC or premium build is required.