The Poco M3 Pro 5G has taken the tech world by storm since its launch, promising a powerful experience at an affordable price. But with so many 5G phones on the market, is the Poco M3 Pro 5G truly the champion of its price bracket? We dive into its features, performance, and camera capabilities to determine whether this phone is worth the hype – and your hard-earned money.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Price and Variants
The Poco M3 Pro 5G comes in two variants, strategically targeting different price points:
- 4GB RAM + 64GB storage: Priced at ₹ 13,999, directly competing with the Realme 8 5G.
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage: Priced at ₹ 15,999, offering more storage and memory for a slightly higher price.
This variant is positioned below the top-end Realme 8 5G and the base variant of the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G – though both of those offer more impressive features and performance.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Design
The Poco M3 Pro 5G boasts a refreshing new design, dubbed “switchblade.” Its back panel features a blacked-out section resembling the camera module design of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series, while the rest showcases a gradient finish. While the back panel and frame are constructed from plastic, their glossy finish attracts fingerprints easily. Over time, minor scuff marks may appear, making the bundled case a wise investment.
With a thickness of 8.92mm and a weight of 190g, the phone is comfortable to hold. The volume and power buttons offer excellent tactile feedback. Conveniently, a headphone jack and an IR emitter for controlling infrared gadgets and appliances are included. The capacitive fingerprint sensor is integrated into the recessed power button on the right side of the frame.
The 6.5-inch full-HD+ display is sharp and boasts good color reproduction. However, its maximum brightness could’ve been better. The ambient light sensor seems sluggish in adapting screen brightness to different environments, often requiring manual adjustment. For protection, the display is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s design is sleek and less bulky than its predecessor, the Poco M3 – a definite improvement.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Specifications and Software
The Poco M3 Pro 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, a close relative to the Dimensity 800U. It retains similar features but with a slightly lower clock speed on its CPU cores and a slower GPU. This phone uses LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. Connectivity features include dual-band Wi-Fi ac, FM radio, Bluetooth 5.1, and a hybrid dual-SIM slot. The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.
Running MIUI 12.0.2 (at the time of this review) on Android 11, the phone initially functioned smoothly. However, spam notifications from apps like GetApps, Music, Mi Credit, etc., began appearing after a few days of use. While some can be uninstalled, others persist, a commonly encountered issue with Xiaomi devices.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Performance and Battery Life
In everyday use, the Poco M3 Pro 5G delivers a snappy and smooth experience. The 6GB RAM version handled multitasking exceptionally well, and the 90Hz screen refresh rate ensures a fluid and responsive interface. The Dimensity 700 SoC is a capable performer, scoring an impressive 3,27,355 points in AnTuTu and 557 and 1,753 points in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests respectively.
Gaming performance is satisfactory. Heavy titles like Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly, albeit with graphics quality limited to Medium settings, while advanced options are disabled. While the back of the Poco M3 Pro 5G does heat up after approximately 20 minutes of gaming, it is not excessively alarming. Video playback is also pleasant, but the low brightness and reflective nature of the display make viewing outdoors or under bright lights less enjoyable.
Despite having a smaller battery capacity compared to the Poco M3, the M3 Pro 5G still achieved 16 hours and 42 minutes in our HD video loop test – a commendable result. The phone generally lasts for a day and a half with regular usage. Charging, however, is not the fastest. The M3 Pro 5G charges at a maximum of 18W and takes nearly two hours to fully charge from empty.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Cameras
The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s camera setup is disappointingly similar to its predecessor, lacking an ultra-wide camera, which would’ve been a welcome addition for this "Pro" model. The front camera is an 8-megapixel sensor, while the rear camera setup includes a 48-megapixel main camera alongside two 2-megapixel sensors for macro and depth shots. The camera app offers standard shooting modes like Night, Pro, and can record videos at up to 1080p.
Landscapes captured in daylight appear decent on the phone’s display. Upon closer inspection, textures and edges lack sharpness and detail. Close-up shots showcase better definition. Macro photos are usable but not particularly impressive. Portrait shots, particularly of people or animals, turn out well.
Image quality takes a downward turn in low light conditions. The main camera struggles to capture details and texture, leading to noticeable grain. Surprisingly, Night mode offers little help in enhancing detail.
Videos recorded at 1080p are heavily cropped when stabilization is enabled, and the overall video quality is merely average, even under favorable lighting. Low-light video recording is grainy and unusable. The front camera captures decent selfies during the day but struggles with backlit shots and low light.
Overall, the camera performance could’ve been significantly better. The lack of an ultra-wide camera and subpar low-light performance are major drawbacks.
Poco M3 Pro 5G: Verdict
The Poco M3 Pro 5G’s base variant offers a decent experience for those seeking 5G compatibility, especially in anticipation of its wider availability. However, the 6GB variant doesn’t offer the best value, considering the superior performance and features available from other 5G phones like the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G at similar price points.
If 5G is not a priority (and it shouldn’t be at the moment), phones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S and Redmi Note 10 Pro provide superior value with comparable performance and significantly better features.
The Poco M3 Pro 5G is a decent entry-level 5G phone, but it falls short of being truly compelling. Its design is attractive, and the 90Hz display is a notable plus. However, the camera performance is underwhelming, and the battery life, while decent, is not exceptional. If you’re on a tight budget and prioritize 5G capability, the Poco M3 Pro 5G might be an option. But for a more well-rounded experience, and value proposition, other alternatives in the market offer a more compelling case.
