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Xiaomi Poco M3: An overview of the test results

The Xiaomi Poco M3 starts from 150 Euros (~$181) and is available in three case colors.
The Xiaomi Poco M3 starts from 150 Euros (~$181) and is available in three case colors.
Officially, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is available at a purchase price of only 150 Euros (~$181), which makes it one of the currently most affordable smartphones. Despite the mini budget, the 6.53-inch Android smartphone offers a lot of value. One of the main draws is the battery, which is very large, offering a capacity of 6000 mAh.

For 150 Euros (~$181), you can get the Xiaomi Poco M3 with 64 GB of storage, and the second option is 128 GB of internal storage for 170 Euros (~$205). Regardless of the storage option, you always get 4 GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 662, which is an SoC of the lower midrange.

PUBG Mobile runs at 25 FPS

With these specs, it is clear that the Poco M3 is no performance rocket. At times, the operation can become a little sluggish. While navigating the menus works smoothly, the starting of apps is almost always accompanied by a second to think things over, just like taking pictures, switching between apps, and even closing apps.

Our test shows, that the performance of the Poco M3 is still sufficient for everyday tasks, and that you can even play some games. For example, "PUBG Mobile" runs in the "Balanced" graphics setting at 25 FPS on average, which is still fairly smooth with a limited amount of details. Another bonus are the stereo speakers of the Poco M3 – a feature that is rather rare in this price class. Since they are positioned on the two short sides of the smartphones, you get sound from both sides in landscape format.

A long battery life is guaranteed

We already mentioned a highlight of the Poco M3, which is its 6000-mAh battery that provides it with a very long battery life in the test. In real life, the Xiaomi should be able to last at least for two, if not three, days in a row without needing a recharge. The smartphone can be recharged fairly quickly. In our test, it takes exactly 2:40 hours to completely recharge the battery. A curious detail: while the Poco M3 supports fast charging at up to 18 watts, a 22.5-Watt charger is included.

The Xiaomi Poco M3 is also able to score with its sturdy case that shows good workmanship. Although it is only made from plastic as expected, the slightly rubberized back, which offers a leather-like look, makes it feel comfortable to hold in the hand. In addition, the smartphone is fairly light at 198 grams (7 oz).

Additional equipment of the Poco M3 include an IPS display with a resolution of 2380 x 1080 pixels (FHD+) and a triple-camera system that is able to take acceptable pictures, at least in daylight. While the IPS display offers a fairly accurate color reproduction in the test, at an average brightness of 428 cd/m², it is not one of the brightest of its kind. On the other hand, it almost manages completely without PWM for brightness control.

You can find our complete test on the Xiaomi Poco M3 here.

The 6.53-inch Poco M3 has a sturdy plastic case and feels comfortably light in the hand at a weight of 198 grams (7 oz).
The 6.53-inch Poco M3 has a sturdy plastic case and feels comfortably light in the hand at a weight of 198 grams (7 oz).
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Manuel Masiero, 2021-01-19 (Update: 2021-01-17)