Xiaomi Pocophone X3

Overview: The Xiaomi Poco X3, often referred to as Pocophone X3 in some regions, is a mid-range smartphone that was launched in September 2020. It’s part of Xiaomi’s Poco lineup, known for offering high value for the price. Let’s delve into the pros, cons, and key features of the Xiaomi Poco X3.

Pros:

  1. High Refresh Rate Display: The Poco X3 boasts a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display with a remarkable 120Hz refresh rate. This results in smoother animations and improved gaming experiences.
  2. Impressive Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor and available in multiple RAM and storage configurations, the Poco X3 delivers snappy performance, capable of handling multitasking and gaming with ease.
  3. Large Battery: With a substantial 6000mAh battery, the phone offers exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day or more on a single charge.
  4. Fast Charging: The device supports 33W fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups when needed.
  5. Versatile Camera System: It features a quad-camera setup, including a 64-megapixel primary camera, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, offering a range of photography options.
  6. Stereo Speakers: The Poco X3 comes with stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience.
  7. Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed on the side, making it quick and easy to unlock the device.
  8. Affordable Price: One of the most significant advantages of the Poco X3 is its affordability, offering an impressive set of features at a budget-friendly price point.

Cons:

  1. Bulky and Heavy: Due to its large battery, the Poco X3 is quite bulky and heavy, which may not be comfortable for all users.
  2. MIUI Bloatware: The device runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, which comes with some pre-installed apps and bloatware, which some users may find unwanted.
  3. Plastic Back: Like many mid-range phones, the Poco X3 features a plastic back, which may not feel as premium as glass or metal.
  4. No Wireless Charging: Despite its impressive features, it lacks wireless charging.
  5. HDR Content Limitation: The display is HDR10 certified, but the phone may not support streaming HDR content from all apps due to software limitations.

Comparison to Other Technologies: In its price range, the Xiaomi Poco X3 competes favorably with devices like the OnePlus Nord, Realme 7 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy M51. It stands out with its high refresh rate display and large battery.

Common Issue/Problem: One common issue reported by some users is occasional touch screen sensitivity problems, which may result in missed taps or swipes. This issue can be addressed with software updates.

Conclusion: The Xiaomi Poco X3 is a feature-packed mid-range smartphone that offers excellent value for its price. With a high refresh rate display, strong performance, a versatile camera system, and long battery life, it caters to users seeking a balance between performance and affordability. While it has a few drawbacks, it remains a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Xiomi Pocophone F1

The Xiaomi Pocophone F1, often simply referred to as the Poco F1, made waves in the smartphone market due to its flagship-level specs at a mid-range price point. Here’s an in-depth review of the Pocophone F1:

Overview:

Launched in 2018, the Pocophone F1 was Xiaomi’s attempt to disrupt the market by offering high-end specifications at an aggressive price. It was introduced under the Poco sub-brand, emphasizing speed and performance.

Features:

  • Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.1 Oreo, with Xiaomi’s MIUI for Poco skin, later upgradeable.
  • Display: 6.18-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1080 x 2246 pixels.
  • Processor: Qualcomm SDM845 Snapdragon 845 Octa-core.
  • Memory: Options of 6/8 GB RAM with 64/128/256 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  • Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 12 MP primary sensor and 5 MP depth sensor. A 20 MP front camera.
  • Battery: 4000 mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge 3.0.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS.
  • Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C, stereo speakers, and a liquid cooling system for the chipset.

Pros:

  • Performance: With the Snapdragon 845 chipset, the Poco F1 delivered flagship-level performance, handling everything from daily tasks to intensive gaming with ease.
  • Battery Life: The 4000 mAh battery ensured the phone lasted through a full day of heavy usage.
  • Price: The Poco F1’s aggressive pricing made it one of the best value-for-money smartphones in 2018.
  • Cooling System: The liquid cooling system was a unique feature in its price range, ensuring sustained performance during intensive tasks.

Cons:

  • Build Quality: To keep costs down, the Poco F1 used a polycarbonate back, which felt less premium compared to the glass and metal designs of other flagships.
  • MIUI for Poco: While the custom skin had some optimizations, it also came with bloatware and ads, which some users didn’t appreciate.
  • Display: The IPS LCD, while decent, couldn’t match the contrast and vibrancy of AMOLED displays found in some competitors.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2018, the Pocophone F1 faced competition from various segments:

  • OnePlus 6: Another “flagship killer” with a more premium design, AMOLED display, and a cleaner software experience.
  • Asus Zenfone 5Z: Offering flagship specs with a focus on AI features and a competitive price.
  • Samsung Galaxy S9: A premium flagship with a stellar display, camera, and design but at a much higher price point.

Launch Date:

The Pocophone F1 was announced in August 2018 and released shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Touch Latency: Some users reported touch latency issues, where the screen would occasionally not register touches promptly.
  • Screen Bleeding: There were reports of screen bleeding, where the edges of the display had uneven backlighting.
  • Software Bugs: Some users encountered software bugs, though many were addressed in subsequent updates.

Conclusion:

The Xiaomi Pocophone F1 was a game-changer in the smartphone market, challenging the notion that flagship performance necessitated a flagship price. Its combination of high-end specs and aggressive pricing made it immensely popular, especially in markets like India. While it had its compromises, the overall value proposition was hard to beat. The Poco F1 set the stage for the Poco brand to continue offering high-performance devices at competitive prices.