Review: POCO X3 Pro

The POCO X3 Pro is Xiaomi’s latest budget smartphone that is packed with a number of respectable qualities that is sure to entice. At first glance, some may mistake the X3 Pro for Xiaomi’s fellow X3 NFC due to their similarities in design, appearance and size. The big deal with the former is that it boasts the Snapdragon 860 which, I believe, is its strongest quality.

Coming in two variants of 6/128GB as well as 8/256GB priced at P12,990 and P15,990, respectively, the POCO X3 Pro already makes for a very solid smartphone at a reasonable price range.

Performance:

The POCO X3 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chipset is what to look most forward to, as it gives you enough power and oomph to enhance overall performance. During gaming and entertainment, its processor allows you to enjoy even the graphically demanding activities without having to experience much lag. Its quick read and write speeds are attributed to its Lightning Fast UFS 3.1 storage, allowing you to enjoy high-speed games. High-intensity, high-graphic games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, etc., are hence made more immersive.

Of course, a powerful platform such as this does not only limit its capabilities to gaming; multitasking and prolonged usage wouldn’t affect overall speeds, thus likewise enhancing the experience. Xiaomi’s LiquidCool Technology 1.0 Plus makes use of copper pipes to reduce the heat on the processor, allowing your chipset to remain healthy even after a whole afternoon of streaming Netflix.

Design

As mentioned earlier, the X3 Pro and the X3 NFC share similarities in terms of design, which isn’t surprising given them being under the same Xiaomi bloodline. The X3 Pro comes in 3 different colors: Phantom Black, Frost Blue and Metal Bronze.

At the back, its reflective chroma strip right down its spine is what’s most distinct about the X3 Pro and is what gives its flavor in terms of appearance. On either side of the chroma strip are metallic textures that complete the smartphone’s rear.

Its display is shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, their flagship display protection, allowing better scratch and drop performance.

Display

A processor that the POCO X3 Pro has would significantly be appreciated more if it were paired with good display. With the X3 Pro, its display isn’t necessarily the eyebrow-raising type, but is a sufficient and solid one, nonetheless. Xiaomi has placed a 6.67-inch FHD+ DotDisplay which can definitely hold its own.

Its 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate allow for generally smooth movements, while pairing these characteristics with its relatively large display makes this a smartphone quite conducive to enjoying various kinds of entertainment. Additionally, dual speakers with surround sound and vivid vibration feedback further enhance the overall experience, whether watching videos on YouTube, playing online games or jamming to your favorite tunes on Spotify.

My only criticism of the display is that during the rare times that I’ll need maximum brightness, its highest isn’t as bright as the situation would call for. Thankfully, though, it’s only a minor hiccup that can easily be overlooked.

Battery

A battery with capacities of 5160mAh would lessen your worrying about low levels of battery, even with the power that the processor and display need. Additionally, this is paired with a fast charging system of 33W as well. It took me around an hour and 15 minutes to completely charge my X3 Pro, which isn’t bad at all.

Camera:

Xiaomi has equipped the X3 Pro with an adequate quad camera that may not be as proficient or flashy (no pun intended) as other smartphones (especially if we’re still comparing it to that of the X3 NFC), but is still a capable one, nonetheless.

A 48MP (f/1.79) main camera, 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide camera, 2MP (f/2.4) depth sensor and 2MP (f/2.4) macro camera are what complete the X3 Pro’s foursome. Overall photo quality is fairly decent, but there could be improvements in terms of refinement and clarity.

What’s most eye-catching to me is its dual video feature which allows you to record with both front and rear cameras simultaneously. It’s actually a really cool feature to enjoy and play around with.

Verdict:

The X3 Pro’s notable processor is where it really makes its mark, especially from an entertainment perspective. Given the many capabilities it has due to its chipset, the POCO X3 Pro is a strong candidate within its segment.