Poco x3 pro Gaming phone.

Poco X3 Pro : Smartphones with High-End Performance

Gaming phone

In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the Poco X3 Pro has emerged as a standout device, particularly in the budget segment. Launched by Poco, a brand that initially started as a subsidiary of Xiaomi but has now carved out its own identity, the Poco X3 Pro is marketed as a device that offers flagship-level performance at a fraction of the cost. But can it really live up to this promise? In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the Poco X3 Pro’s design, performance, gaming capabilities, battery life, camera, software, and more to help you decide if this is the right phone for you.

Design and Build Quality

When you first hold the Poco X3 Pro, you’ll notice its robust and sturdy build. It’s not a slim or lightweight phone by any means, weighing in at 215 grams and measuring 9.4mm in thickness. The plastic back may not scream premium, but it’s practical and durable, especially with the phone’s IP53 rating for splash resistance. The back features a large Poco logo and a bold, symmetrical design with a circular camera module. While the design might be a bit polarizing, it’s certainly distinctive.

The front of the Poco X3 Pro is dominated by a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6—a nice touch for a budget device. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which doubles as the power button, is conveniently placed and works quickly and reliably. Overall, the design might not turn heads, but it’s functional and built to last.

Display: A Smooth and Vivid Experience

The Poco X3 Pro’s 6.67-inch display is one of its standout features. With a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, the display offers sharp and vibrant visuals. However, the real highlight is the 120Hz refresh rate. Most budget phones stick to the standard 60Hz, so the 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco X3 Pro is a game-changer. It makes scrolling, navigating through menus, and, most importantly, gaming, incredibly smooth.

While the IPS LCD panel doesn’t offer the deep blacks and punchy colors of an AMOLED display, it still performs admirably. The colors are accurate, and the display gets bright enough for outdoor use. The 240Hz touch sampling rate is another feature aimed at gamers, ensuring that the screen responds instantly to your touch, giving you an edge in fast-paced games.

Poco X3 Pro Performance

At the heart of the Poco X3 Pro lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor. This chipset is essentially an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 855+, a flagship processor from a couple of years ago. Paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, the Poco X3 Pro is a performance powerhouse, especially considering its price point.

In day-to-day usage, the Poco X3 Pro handles everything with ease. Multitasking, app launches, and transitions are all smooth and snappy. The phone doesn’t break a sweat even when running demanding apps or games. In benchmark tests, the Poco X3 Pro consistently outperforms other devices in its price range, often scoring on par with mid-range phones that cost significantly more.

Gaming: A Budget Gamer’s Delight

Gaming phone

If you’re into mobile gaming, the Poco X3 Pro is a device you should seriously consider. The combination of the Snapdragon 860 processor and the Adreno 640 GPU ensures that the phone can handle even the most demanding games with ease. Whether you’re playing PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, or Genshin Impact, the Poco X3 Pro delivers smooth gameplay with high frame rates.

The 120Hz refresh rate enhances the gaming experience, making everything feel more fluid and responsive. The liquid cooling technology, which Poco calls LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus, is another welcome feature for gamers. It helps keep the phone’s temperature in check during extended gaming sessions, preventing thermal throttling and ensuring consistent performance.

But it’s not just raw power that makes the Poco X3 Pro a great gaming phone. The stereo speakers provide immersive audio, and the 3.5mm headphone jack is a boon for those who prefer wired audio for gaming. The haptic feedback is also decent, adding another layer of immersion to your gaming experience.

Battery Life: Power That Lasts

A powerful phone needs a powerful battery, and the Poco X3 Pro delivers in this department as well. The phone is equipped with a massive 5,160mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day even with heavy usage. Whether you’re gaming, streaming videos, or browsing the web, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice before the day is over.

Even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled, the battery life is impressive. In fact, many users report getting up to two days of battery life with moderate usage, which is quite rare in today’s smartphones. When it does come time to recharge, the 33W fast charging ensures that you can get back to full power in just over an hour.

Camera: Decent, But Not Exceptional

Cameras have become a crucial aspect of smartphones, and while the Poco X3 Pro’s camera setup isn’t its main selling point, it’s still capable of capturing good photos. The quad-camera array on the back includes a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor.

In well-lit conditions, the Poco X3 Pro can capture sharp and vibrant images with good dynamic range. The ultra-wide lens is handy for landscape shots or group photos, though it does introduce some distortion at the edges. The macro lens, while fun to use, is more of a gimmick and doesn’t offer the same quality as the primary camera.

Low-light photography is where the Poco X3 Pro struggles a bit. While it does have a night mode, the results are often noisy, and the details aren’t as sharp as you’d like. The 20MP front-facing camera is good for selfies, offering plenty of detail and natural skin tones.

Software and User Experience

Gaming phone

The Poco X3 Pro runs MIUI 12 on top of Android 11. MIUI is a heavily customized skin, offering a plethora of features and customization options. However, it’s also known for being a bit bloated, with several pre-installed apps and the occasional ad in the system UI. The good news is that most of the bloatware can be uninstalled, and the ads can be disabled in the settings.

Once you’ve cleaned up the software, MIUI offers a smooth and feature-rich experience. From the always-on display to the theme store, there are plenty of ways to make the phone your own. The interface is generally smooth, and the animations and transitions look great, especially with the 120Hz refresh rate.

poco x3 pro unboxing

Additional Features: Everything You Need

The Poco X3 Pro comes packed with features that are often missing in more expensive phones. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is quick and reliable, and the face unlock feature is also fast. The dual stereo speakers provide good sound quality, making the phone great for media consumption.

Another standout feature is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. The phone also supports microSD cards for expandable storage, which is a nice addition for those who need more than the 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.

Final Thoughts: A True Budget Champion

The Poco X3 Pro is a remarkable device, especially considering its price. It offers performance that rivals much more expensive phones, making it an excellent choice for gamers and power users on a budget. While it’s not without its flaws—the camera performance in low light could be better, and MIUI might not be to everyone’s taste—it’s hard to argue with the value that the Poco X3 Pro offers.

If you’re looking for a budget smartphone that doesn’t compromise on performance, the Poco X3 Pro is definitely worth considering. It’s a phone that punches well above its weight, offering a flagship-like experience without breaking the bank.