Poco X3 Pro Review

The Poco X3 Pro is a mid-range smartphone launched in March 2021 by Xiaomi. It’s a more powerful version of the Poco X3 NFC, with key upgrades allowing this device to offer impressive performance at a competitive price point.

Price and availability

The price is quite competitive for its offerings. It typically retails at approximately $250 (around £199) for the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a version with 8GB RAM which costs a bit more.

These prices can slightly fluctuate based on the market and discounts being offered at the time of purchase. The device was released globally and is widely available through various online and retail outlets. However, availability can depend on the specific region or country. As of my last update, it might not be directly available in some regions like Australia through standard retail channels. I recommend checking a local or online electronics retailer for the most current price and availability.

Design

The Poco X3 Pro has a distinctive design that tends to catch eyes. Its design is reminiscent of the Poco X3, with minor fine-tuning.

Build and Size the Poco X3 Pro has a plastic body but still manages to give a premium feel. It measures 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4mm and weighs 215 grams, making it relatively large and a bit hefty compared to other phones in its category.

Color Options The device is available in three color variants: Phantom Black, Frost Blue, and Metal Bronze.

Rear of the Device The back of the device presents a bold styling choice with the POCO logo prominently featured in the middle. There’s also a sizeable camera module at the top, housing four cameras in a circular layout.

Display

The Poco X3 Pro features a good quality display considering its price point. Here’s an analysis:

• The Poco X3 Pro comes with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) IPS LCD display. Though it’s not an AMOLED screen (which typically delivers more vibrant colors and deeper blacks), the display still offers a sharp and colorful viewing experience.
• A key feature of the Poco X3 Pro’s display is its high refresh rate of 120Hz. A high refresh rate makes animations and transitions appear smoother, which can be particularly noticeable while scrolling webpages or playing compatible games.
• The screen provides adequate brightness, which should suffice for most indoor and outdoor situations. Text and visuals remain fairly visible even under direct sunlight.
• The color reproduction is reasonably accurate. While it might not exactly match the color vibrancy and contrast of high-end AMOLED displays, it is more than satisfactory for regular usage – browsing, streaming video content, social media, and gaming.
• The Poco X3 Pro’s display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection, which offers a decent level of resistance against scratches and minor drops.

In conclusion, considering its price range, the Poco X3 Pro’s display quality is rather solid. It might not satisfy those seeking top-tier display technology like an AMOLED screen or QHD resolution, but it offers an excellent balance between price and performance.

Gaming performance

The Poco X3 Pro is particularly noted for its gaming performance, especially in its price range. This superior performance is largely credited to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor, which is a powerful chipset engineered to handle demanding tasks such as high-end graphics gaming.

This smartphone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which assists in offering smooth gameplay even for resource-intense games. The UFS 3.1 storage also helps to decrease load times for apps and games, enabling faster operation.

The high refresh rate displays game visuals smoothly, while the increased touch sampling rate ensures your interactions are registered with minimal delay — both crucial for a formidable gaming experience.

To further optimize gaming performance, the Poco X3 Pro comes with a LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus. This feature works to reduce the device’s temperature, allowing the processor to maintain peak performance and prevent thermal throttling during extensive gaming sessions.

As for the battery, the phone packs a 5160mAh unit, which should easily get most users through a day of mixed use, including gaming sessions. Moreover, it supports 33W fast charging for quick top-ups when needed.

However, please note that actual gaming performance can vary based on factors such as the specific game’s requirements, the device’s thermal conditions, and the overall device usage. The phone’s gaming performance may not match that of flagship phone models but, overall, the Poco X3 Pro provides quite a commendable gaming performance considering its pricing.

Camera details

The Poco X3 Pro has a decent camera setup for its price range, though its performance might not be on par with high-end flagship smartphones. Here’s a detailed look:

Rear Camera Setup:

1. Primary Lens: 48MP sensor with an aperture of f/1.79. It shoots detailed photographs in well-lit settings.
2. Ultra-wide Lens: 8MP sensor. It’s useful for capturing broader scenes, such as landscapes or group photos.
3. Macro Lens: 2MP for close-up shots of small objects.
4. Depth Sensor: 2MP for achieving depth-of-field or “bokeh” effects, especially in portrait shots.
5. Front Camera: The front-facing camera is a 20MP sensor capable of capturing clear selfies and handling video calls.

Video Capabilities:

• The phone can record videos up to 4K resolution at 30fps, and 1080p videos at up to 60fps.
• It also features Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which helps keep video footage steady.

General Performance:

• In good lighting, the main camera captures images with decent detail and accurate colors.
• The ultra-wide camera offers a wider field of view, although images can sometimes lack the sharpness of the main camera.
• Portrait mode, powered by the depth sensor, generally delivers good subject separation from the background.
• Low-light performance is reasonable but not exceptional; images may show noise and lose some detail.
• The macro lens allows for close-up shots, but the low resolution might not produce the most detailed images.

Additional Features:

• Night mode for better low-light photography.
• Different creative modes for photography enthusiasts to experiment with.

In conclusion, the Poco X3 Pro’s camera setup offers versatile shooting options and produces competent results given its price point. However, users seeking a smartphone with camera performance as the primary consideration may want to consider higher-end smartphones.

Battery

The Poco X3 Pro has a robust battery capacity that is generally lauded by users and critics alike. Here’s a closer look:

• Battery Capacity: The Poco X3 Pro houses a 5160mAh battery. This is a substantial size, especially for a smartphone in its budget range.
• Battery Life: In terms of practical usage, the battery life is quite impressive. Many users report that the phone can comfortably last a full day of regular usage, which might include browsing, using apps, making calls, and occasional gaming or media consumption. In some instances, particularly light usage could stretch the battery life into the second day.
• Fast Charging: The Poco X3 Pro supports 33W fast charging. In practical terms, this means that the phone can charge from 0% to 100% in about an hour, which is notably quick.
• Performance Under Gaming: For intensive activities, such as extended gaming sessions, the battery will naturally deplete faster. Still, the Poco X3 Pro’s battery performance is generally reliable even under heavy use scenarios.

Remember, battery life can vary based on numerous factors, including the health of the battery, screen brightness, network conditions, active apps, and the overall usage patterns of the user.

Conclusion: pros and cons

After thoroughly analyzing the Poco X3 Pro, here are the key pros, cons, and a final conclusion:

The Poco X3 Pro stands out in the mid-range segment as an excellent option for those prioritizing performance and battery life. Its display and the overall value for money are also praiseworthy. However, if a high-quality camera or 5G support are must-haves for you, or if you prefer a slim and lightweight design, you might want to explore other options. In essence, the Poco X3 Pro excels as a budget gaming phone and is worth considering for its robust performance and impressive battery life.