Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, finding a device that offers high-end performance at a mid-range price point can be challenging. Enter the Poco X3 Pro, a device that has been making waves in the tech community for its impressive specs and affordable price tag. This comprehensive review will delve into the various aspects of the Poco X3 Pro, examining its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value proposition.
Design and Build Quality
The Poco X3 Pro follows a design language that is both familiar and functional. Sporting a 6.67-inch display with a centered punch-hole camera, the device strikes a balance between aesthetics and practicality. The back panel, while made of plastic, features a dual-tone finish that adds a touch of elegance to its otherwise utilitarian design. The large Poco logo emblazoned on the rear panel might not be to everyone's taste, but it certainly makes the phone stand out in a crowd.
One of the notable design choices is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which doubles as the power button. This placement is not only ergonomic but also contributes to the phone's overall sleek appearance. While some users might prefer a glass back for a more premium feel, the plastic construction helps keep costs down without significantly compromising on durability. In fact, the plastic back might be more resistant to cracks and shatters compared to glass alternatives.
The phone's dimensions of 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm and weight of 215 grams make it a substantial device, but not uncomfortably so. The weight distribution is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and an IR blaster adds to the phone's versatility, catering to both audio enthusiasts and those who enjoy using their phone as a universal remote.
Display Technology
The X3 Pro boasts a 6.67-inch IPS LCD panel that offers more than meets the eye. With a Full HD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, the display provides crisp visuals with a pixel density of about 395 PPI. However, what truly sets this display apart is its 120Hz refresh rate coupled with a 240Hz touch sampling rate.
The high refresh rate ensures incredibly smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making everything from browsing social media to navigating the UI a pleasure. The 240Hz touch sampling rate, on the other hand, significantly improves the display's responsiveness, which is particularly noticeable in gaming scenarios where every millisecond counts.
While some competitors in this price range offer AMOLED displays, which admittedly provide better contrast and deeper blacks, the IPS LCD on the X3 Pro is no slouch. It offers good color accuracy and brightness, with a peak brightness of 450 nits, making it reasonably visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, providing robust protection against scratches and minor drops.
Performance: The Heart of the Beast
At the core of the Poco X3 Pro lies its most impressive feature – the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor. This chipset is essentially a refreshed version of the Snapdragon 855+, which was Qualcomm's flagship processor in 2019. The inclusion of such a powerful processor in a mid-range device is nothing short of revolutionary.
The Snapdragon 860 is built on a 7nm process and features an octa-core CPU configuration with one prime core clocked at 2.96 GHz, three performance cores at 2.42 GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.78 GHz. This configuration, coupled with the Adreno 640 GPU, provides performance levels that were previously seen only in flagship devices.
In real-world usage, this translates to seamless multitasking, blazing-fast app launches, and exceptional gaming performance. The phone comes in two variants – 6GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 128GB storage. Both variants use UFS 3.1 storage, which offers significantly faster read and write speeds compared to the UFS 2.1 standard found in many mid-range devices.
Benchmark scores further illustrate the X3 Pro's prowess. In Geekbench 5, the device scores around 750 in single-core tests and 2500 in multi-core tests, placing it in the company of much more expensive devices. AnTuTu scores hover around the 550,000 mark, again emphasizing the phone's flagship-level performance.
Camera System: Versatility Meets Affordability
The Poco X3 Pro features a quad-camera setup that aims to offer versatility without breaking the bank. The primary sensor is a 48MP Sony IMX582 with an f/1.79 aperture. This is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide lens with a 119-degree field of view, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there's a 20MP selfie shooter housed in the punch-hole cutout.
In good lighting conditions, the main camera produces detailed shots with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The phone's AI scene detection helps in optimizing settings based on what you're shooting. The ultra-wide lens, while not as detailed as the main sensor, offers a broader perspective that's useful for landscapes and group shots.
The macro and depth sensors, while not groundbreaking, do add to the phone's photographic capabilities. The macro lens allows for close-up shots of small subjects, while the depth sensor aids in creating a more natural bokeh effect in portrait mode.
Low-light performance is decent, thanks to the Night Mode feature. While it may not match the night photography capabilities of high-end smartphones, it does a commendable job of brightening up scenes and reducing noise.
Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps and 1080p at up to 60fps. Electronic image stabilization helps in producing smoother footage, although it's not as effective as optical image stabilization found in more expensive devices.
Battery Life and Charging
The Poco X3 Pro is equipped with a substantial 5160mAh battery, which, combined with the efficient Snapdragon 860 processor, offers excellent battery life. Most users can expect to get through a full day of heavy use, including gaming and video streaming, with juice to spare. With more moderate usage, the phone can easily last for 1.5 to 2 days on a single charge.
When it comes to charging, the X3 Pro supports 33W fast charging, which can fill the battery from 0 to 100% in about an hour. This is particularly impressive given the large battery capacity. The phone also supports Power Delivery 3.0 and Quick Charge 3+, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of third-party chargers.
Software Experience
The Poco X3 Pro runs on MIUI 12 based on Android 11, with a promise of updates to newer versions of Android. MIUI has come a long way in terms of optimization and user experience. The interface is clean and highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the look and feel of their device to their liking.
One of the significant advantages of the Poco launcher is the absence of ads, which are often found in other Xiaomi devices. This results in a cleaner, more premium user experience. The phone also comes with several useful features like Game Turbo mode for optimizing gaming performance, a built-in screen recorder, and extensive theming options.
Gaming Performance
For mobile gaming enthusiasts, the Poco X3 Pro is a dream come true in the mid-range segment. The powerful Snapdragon 860 processor, coupled with the Adreno 640 GPU, handles even the most demanding mobile games with ease. Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact run smoothly at high settings with minimal lag or frame drops.
The 120Hz display and 240Hz touch sampling rate further enhance the gaming experience, providing smooth visuals and responsive touch inputs. The phone's LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus helps in managing thermals during extended gaming sessions, preventing significant performance throttling.
The stereo speakers add another dimension to the gaming experience, providing immersive audio without the need for external speakers or headphones. For those who prefer wired audio, the retention of the 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature.
Connectivity and Extra Features
While the Poco X3 Pro doesn't support 5G, it offers a comprehensive set of connectivity options. These include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for contactless payments. The inclusion of an IR blaster is a nice touch, allowing the phone to be used as a universal remote for various appliances.
The phone also features a Z-axis linear motor for improved haptic feedback, adding to the overall user experience. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, and face unlock is available as an additional biometric authentication option.
Price and Value Proposition
Starting at around $250 (though prices may vary by region), the Poco X3 Pro offers exceptional value for money. It brings flagship-level performance to the mid-range segment, challenging the notion that one needs to spend top dollar for a high-performing smartphone.
The combination of a powerful processor, high refresh rate display, large battery with fast charging, and a versatile camera system makes the X3 Pro a compelling option for a wide range of users. While it may not have the absolute best camera in its class or the most premium design, its performance-to-price ratio is hard to beat.
Conclusion
The Poco X3 Pro represents a significant milestone in the evolution of mid-range smartphones. It demonstrates that it's possible to offer near-flagship performance at a fraction of the cost, potentially reshaping consumer expectations in this price segment.
For mobile gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance and responsiveness, the Poco X3 Pro is an excellent choice. It offers a user experience that was previously reserved for much more expensive devices, making it a disruptive force in the smartphone market.
While it may not be perfect – the camera could be better, and some might prefer an AMOLED display – the X3 Pro's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It sets a new standard for what consumers can expect from a mid-range device, forcing competitors to up their game.
In conclusion, the Poco X3 Pro is more than just a smartphone; it's a statement. It challenges the status quo and proves that exceptional performance doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. For those willing to look past brand prestige and marketing hype, the Poco X3 Pro offers unparalleled value and performance in the mid-range smartphone market.
