The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a mid-range smartphone that punches well above its weight, delivering performance and features typically found in more expensive devices. With its powerful chipset, high-refresh-rate display, and massive battery, it’s a compelling option for budget-conscious users who refuse to compromise on performance. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the details.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Poco X3 Pro doesn’t stray far from the design language of its predecessor, the Poco X3 NFC. It features a plastic back with a glossy finish that mimics glass, though it’s prone to fingerprints. The circular camera module is a distinctive element, giving the phone a recognizable look. The device feels solid in hand, thanks to its weight (215g) and sturdy construction, but it’s undeniably thick (9.4mm), which might not appeal to everyone.

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor doubles as the power button and is quick and reliable. The phone also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack—a rarity in modern smartphones—and an IR blaster, which adds to its versatility. While the design isn’t groundbreaking, it’s functional and durable, with IP53 certification offering some protection against dust and splashes.

Display: Smooth and Vibrant

The Poco X3 Pro sports a 6.67-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations buttery smooth. The Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) ensures sharp visuals, and the screen gets plenty bright for outdoor use. While an AMOLED panel would have provided deeper blacks, the LCD here is well-calibrated, with accurate colors and good viewing angles.

What’s impressive is the adaptive refresh rate, which dynamically switches between 50Hz, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz depending on the content, helping to conserve battery life. The touch sampling rate of 240Hz also makes the phone feel responsive during gaming or fast-paced interactions.

Performance: Flagship-Level Power

This is where the Poco X3 Pro truly shines. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860, a slightly overclocked version of the Snapdragon 855+, which was a flagship chip in 2019. Paired with 8GB of RAM, this phone handles everything from multitasking to demanding games with ease. Apps launch quickly, and even graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact run smoothly at medium to high settings.

The Adreno 640 GPU delivers excellent gaming performance, and the phone’s LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus helps manage thermals, preventing excessive throttling during extended sessions. Storage is another strong point—UFS 3.1 ensures fast read and write speeds, reducing load times in games and apps.

Battery Life: All-Day and Then Some

With a 5160mAh battery, the Poco X3 Pro easily lasts a full day of heavy use, and lighter users might stretch it to two days. The 33W fast charging is a welcome addition, taking the phone from 0% to 60% in about 30 minutes and a full charge in just over an hour. Unlike some competitors, Xiaomi includes the charger in the box, which is a small but appreciated detail.

Camera: Decent, but Not Outstanding

The quad-camera setup includes a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting, the main camera captures detailed shots with accurate colors, though dynamic range could be better. The ultra-wide lens is useful for landscapes but suffers from softer edges and distortion.

Low-light performance is mediocre—night mode helps, but images tend to lose detail and exhibit noise. The macro and depth sensors feel like filler, offering limited utility. On the front, the 20MP selfie camera does a decent job in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light. Video recording maxes out at 4K@30fps, with electronic stabilization that works reasonably well.

Software: MIUI with Poco’s Twist

The phone runs MIUI 12 based on Android 11, with Poco’s custom launcher offering a cleaner, more stock-like experience compared to standard MIUI. While the software is feature-rich, it comes with bloatware and ads in some regions, which can be annoying. Performance is generally smooth, but occasional stutters and aggressive background app management can be frustrating.

Final Verdict

The Poco X3 Pro is a powerhouse in the mid-range segment, offering near-flagship performance at a fraction of the price. Its 120Hz display, long battery life, and headphone jack make it a great all-rounder, though the camera system and software experience hold it back from perfection. If raw performance and value are your priorities, this phone is hard to beat.

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro 8GB - Full Specifications:

Display: 6.67-inch IPS LCD, 120Hz, FHD+ (2400 x 1080)

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7nm)

RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X

Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 (expandable via microSD)

Rear Cameras: 48MP (main) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) + 2MP (depth)

Front Camera: 20MP

Battery: 5160mAh, 33W fast charging

OS: MIUI 12 (Android 11)

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, IR blaster, 3.5mm jack

Dimensions: 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm, 215g

Other Features: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, IP53 rating, stereo speakers