Introduction
POCO X3 Pro, a mostly wholesome mid range phone, has basically gotten into the limelight because of its performance for what you pay. It’s the successor to POCO X3, and the X3 Pro tries to bring flagship style capability, but on a budget. In practice it lands as one of the best in its category thanks to a Snapdragon 860, a high refresh rate panel, plus a large battery. There are even extra touches that could easily surpass what rivals offer at this price point. So lets just go on, this kind of detailed review of POCO X3 Pro: we’ll cover the design, display, and camera performance; then the software experience; and battery results and pricing too.
Design and Build Quality
The POCO X3 Pro design is sort of similar to its predecessor, the POCO X3. Not identical, but you can see the kinship in the overall look, with a couple of tweaks here, and there. The phone has a big sturdy body with a glossy plastic back, and a camera module that’s done in a circular arrangement. The rear panel uses a dual tone look: there’s a glossy slice running through the center, while the rest of the surface on both sides has a matte vibe. Maybe not everyone will call it “beautiful”, but it absolutely helps the device stand out from the crowd, at least visually.
Build quality feels genuinely solid, and that weighty sensation is, honestly, satisfying to hold. At 215g, the POCO X3 Pro is quite heavy for a phone, so if you prefer lighter gadgets, you might decide to skip it. It measures 9.4mm thick-which is a bit more than you’d expect, given it’s stuffed with that big battery-POCO X3 Pro really does hint at extravagance.
The phone’s front is basically ruled by a 6.67-inch screen with this small punch-hole cutout right at the top center, for the selfie camera. The bezels are pretty slim , though the chin down at the bottom still sort of pops out. The POCO X3 Pro brings IP53-rated ingress protection, so it’s splash-resistant , but not actually waterproof , no kidding.
On top of that , the device keeps the 3.5mm headphone jack which is getting more and more rare nowadays. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is tucked right inside the power button, and it stays fast plus dependable. The plastic frame is a minor downside for long-term durability compared to metal frames, but it also helps the handset keep its price lower than you’d expect.
Display
This POCO X3 Pro model comes with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD screen, carrying a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels . What really makes the display feel kind of different is the 120Hz refresh rate, it just feels smooth when you’re using the device, especially if you scroll through menus, or when you hop into games. There’s also a 240Hz touch sampling rate which boosts the touch response ; that high pace of reaction really adds to the overall fluidity of everyday use .
In color reproduction it has pretty nice colors and contrast levels. Be that as it may, its coloration is no where near an AMOLED panel with deep blacks and vivid saturation that you find on some competitors in this price segment. Still, the good viewing angles and the outdoor usage does get affected by bright sunlight, like, it struggles a bit. It could have used a touch more peak brightness though.
The display also gets the protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which gives it some decent sturdiness against scratches and small drops. A 120Hz refresh rate, at this price level is honestly kinda impressive, and it’s basically one of the main selling points for the POCO X3 Pro. That said if you are the type that really leans in on deep blacks and those high contrast ratios , an AMOLED panel might be a better fit for you than the IPS LCD setup that the POCO X3 Pro uses.
Performance
The POCO X3 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chipset, which is kind of a slightly updated version of the Snapdragon 855+ that landed on some older flagship phones. So yeah, it can be said it’s one of the more powerfull phones in this price bracket, giving you speed that feels flagship like, but at a mid range cost , not the whole flagship bill.
The Snapdragon 860 is an octa-core setup, made up of strong Kryo 485 cores plus the more efficient cores for better power management, even when usage gets a bit intense. Because of that it’s paired with the Adreno 640 GPU, and that combo helps with really impressive gaming performance, and smooth graphics output. On the road the POCO X3 Pro feels easy to live with, especially while playing PUBG Mobile Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact , all thanks to sustained high frame rates that make everything look buttery smooth.
You also get a RAM choice of 6GB or 8GB LPDDR4X, depending on the variant, plus storage options like 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1. The UFS 3.1 storage, with quick read and write ability, helps the whole device feel more responsive . Multitasking stays calm and consistent, apps jump back into view within seconds and they keep running in the background without much drama.
When it comes to bench tests it performs very well , and sometimes even beats other devices in the same price range . For instance the phone gets a score a rating above 450000 points in AnTuTu , so it sits above many mid range competitors . Still, it manages to stay smooth, and it doesn’t lag or slow down when you’re doing everyday stuff like browsing, streaming, or hopping through social networking stuff.
Out of the box, MIUI 12 based on Android 11 runs on the POCO X3 Pro, later getting an upgrade to MIUI 12.5 not long after the launch . There’s a lot packed into MIUI 12 , like a refreshed control center, better privacy controls, and some UI polishing . Even though MIUI is feature heavy and offers plenty of tweaking options, the fact that there are a few pre installed apps (bloatware) and ads can be a bit annoying now and then . But in most cases, the majority of those apps can be uninstalled or disabled, and the ads can be turned off from the settings menu.
The X3 PRO is an upgrade of its predecessor in more ways than one and continues with a design that brought great success to the POCO brand. Reinforcing the internal strength of this phone will keep the success the X3 NFC was able to attain.
X3 PRO is, in other words, just an upgrade of the internal configuration because it retains the design of the X3 NFC. Not only is it an iridescent cross-cutting strip adorned with the POCO brand logo, but it also has two rough-coated borders that make the design of the X3 series in general and the X3 PRO specifically a novel flashy work. This one heavy machine feels compact yet firm to hold.
The POCO X3 PRO comes with a side mounted fingerprint sensor, and it can recognize fingerprints with super fast responsiveness. The phone ’s outer body frame, has a glossy metallic finish, which sort of lifts the whole look and feel and adds to its aesthetic appeal.
The focus in the rear is still a rather large camera cluster, where X-shaped sensor layout draws inspiration from the name of this product line: the X-series.
The camera is still supposed to have a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide original sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and to wrap it up, a 2MP depth sensor. The POCO X3 PRO camera has 4K video recording support at 30fps or 1080p at 60Hz.
POCO X3 PRO is also providing features that will help enhance photography and videography, especially for all the tiktokers chasing interesting short clips.
The POCO X3 PRO comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, it supports a Full-HD+ resolution, plus that refresh rate can climb up to 120 Hz. Inside, you get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 processor, along with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage , and yeah you can still expand it by using a Micro-SD memory card. The same specs are there again if you look twice, 6.67-inch AMOLED, Full-HD+ and 120 Hz, then Snapdragon 860 and 6GB RAM with 128GB, and extra storage via Micro-SD.
Poco X3 Pro | 128GB 6GB RAM | Factory Unlocked (GSM ONLY | Not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint/Boost) | International Version (Phantom Black): Buy it now
Poco X3 Pro | 128GB 6GB RAM | Factory Unlocked (GSM ONLY | Not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint/Boost) | International Version (Frost Blue): Buy it now
Poco X3 Pro | 128GB 6GB RAM | Factory Unlocked (GSM ONLY | Not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint/Boost) | International Version (Metal Bronze): Buy it now
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro 128GB Phantom Black Dual SIM: Buy it now
Battery Life
A massive battery of 5,160mAh is honestly a quite awe inspiring feature on the POCO X3 Pro. Its life expectancy feels really strong, because of a solid mix of battery performance, and a ultra-efficient processor inside: Snapdragon 860. So yeah it can almost, without much effort, handle more than a full day of heavy usage and still keep some charge left over.
In real everyday use the POCO X3 Pro can sit around a day and a half pretty easily, especially if you toss in web browsing, social apps, video streaming, plus some gaming. Even when things get more intense, like long gaming sessions or very active camera work, the phone still manages to deliver about a day of uninterrupted use.
Then there’s the charging side, with 33W of fast charging, which is quite great for the price. Using the bundled 33W charger, it can charge from 0 to 100 percent in roughly one hour, and in around 30 minutes it should reach something like 60-65 percent. This kind of quick top up is super useful for someone always moving, since you can refuel the battery while you are rushing out the door.
Wireless charging isn’t there, but that’s not surprising and it’s perfectly acceptable at this price tier. The strong battery endurance, together with a quick wired charge, really covers the difference.
Software
The POCO X3 Pro runs MIUI 12 on Android 11. MIUI is Xiaomi’s chosen skin, with an extensive variety of enhancements , customization choices, and optimizations.
A few MIUI 12 features are tied to changes in the control center, tougher privacy controls, and really striking visual upgrades. The control center looks like iOS, with quick toggle settings for Wi-Fi , Bluetooth, and brightness, while notifications show up on a separate pane. For some users this might feel attractive, but for others it can be a bit uneasy, especially if you rather the honest to goodness Android experience.
MIUI is really customizable, allowing users to change almost anything they can think of in the UI-from icon sets and fonts right down to theme choice. The Theme Store offers innumerable themes, wallpapers, and ringtones for downloading and applying easily. One of the many reasons behind MIUI’s kind of devotion.
On the other hand, MIUI has issues. One commonly cited one is bloatware, often augmented by ads. Pre-installed apps come with the POCO X3 Pro, which many users might find unnecessary. Ads are introduced within a few system apps including the file manager, app installer, and so on. While their disabling is possible via settings, it takes a lot of digging, and that option might not feel so appealing to any type of user.
Another thing that may not sit well with most MIUI users is its default lack of an app drawer (which you can, however, activate in settings). Instead, apps find their way to the home screen, kind of like iOS. Unless appropriately managed, this could easily lead to a pretty messy home screen.
MIUI 12 has a lot of really cool features, including a built-in screen recorder, floating windows for multitasking, and always-on displays for notification (which actually matters more to devices that have AMOLED displays). This software has something called Game Turbo, which makes it calm regarding gaming performance and in-game tools like screen recording, quick replies, and so on.
The improvements in MIUI 12.5 for the POCO X3 Pro come with more or less enhanced system tuning, reduced RAM usage, and a bit stronger privacy settings. These upgrades kinda tackle the same annoyance topics too, like ads and bloatware, so the daily experience feels a lot calmer , and honestly more pleasant to use.
Connectivity and Audio
POCO X3 Pro definitely has a complete range of connectivity options expected from any modern smartphone. Dual-SIM application is compatible with 4G LTE, but unlike many smartphones today, there is no issue about 5-you win, and this might be a blot for someone really looking into the future towards such connectivity.
Other features are like the typical Wi-Fi 5 (dual-band) and Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and it also has an IR blaster that allows using the phone as a remote for most appliances. This feature is hardly found in smartphones these days.
It is worth noting that the phone has NFC, a technology that can be used in contactless payment along with other applications based on NFC. Most welcome in a mid-range device and user-friendly convenience, it provides more comfort to those who often use mobile payments.
Audio-wise, the phone is solidly stereo-speakered and quite good by itself. It can get loud and crisp enough for watching movies, playing computer games, or even talking hands-free. With an average bass level and pretty good clarity, this price-devices perform like a king. Just don’t turn the volume to the max because the sound gets a bit blurry.
With its presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, it gives a lot to people who still prefer wired headphones. Hi-Res Audio is also supported in the phone, so the audio quality through wired headphones stays pleasant. Plus, there’s a built-in equalizer and multiple sound codecs like aptX and AAC, which together improve the whole listening vibe.
Gaming Performance
POCO X3 Pro goes hard in gaming mode, because it runs on the Snapdragon 860 and Adreno 640, honestly pretty above-average hardware. And once you add the 120Hz display and the 240Hz touch sampling rate, you basically get a very nice setup for gaming.
PUOG, COD Mobile, and Asphalt 9 are some titles that will run smoothly on the highest graphics settings as if it were nothing. Almost no frame drops or stuttering were detected. High refresh rate displays will add to the fluidness of games. Action-packed games become truly enjoyable with such wieghty diplays and stereo speakers, vaporizing you into it and forming an utterly overwhelming context for mobile gaming.
MIUI Game Turbo helps to serve the purpose of making this gaming experience an even more improved one. That boosts performance by allocating resources more efficiently. Floating windows, screen recording, and quick replies are some of these that will provide a lot of benefits to users not wishing to be interrupted during their gaming sessions.
Heat management is another thing in which the POCO X3 Pro excels. Obviously, after hours of gaming, the device warms up, but this is not uncomfortable. Inside the device, liquid cooling has done its job in comparison to the device. Considering that the performance of the device gets, temperatures remain stable.
Battery life is also above average while gaming. Of course, a 5,160mAh battery can ensure that this will last for many hours without being drained. Even when playing with heavy usage, the smartphone can go through an entire day; a huge plus for most mobile gaming users.
Value Proposition
The POCO X3 Pro punches far above its weight regarding performance and features. At the price offered in the market, it will not be wrong to say that this is amongst the devices that offer performance levels usually reserved for much more expensive devices, thus making it one of the best devices for the price in the whole mobile market.
For users who want an intense performer yet quite affordable device, the Snapdragon 860 chipset coupled with a 120Hz display and a large battery with fast charging fill the gaps for the POCO X3 Pro making it appealing to such kind of audience. Additions such as a headphone jack, stereo speakers, and an IR blaster add even more to the appeal among people for whom it matters.
On the downside, though, the camera performance is good, but not comparable to some of the best available. Low-light photography is same as pretty much everything else in its class. The design will not satisfy all individual appetites, and the MIUI advertises and has bloatware that some would find annoying.
Conclusion
The POCO X3 Pro outshines the mid-range label by taking flagship performance down to an utterly cheap price. It is designed to be a dream for aspiring gamers and heavy users on a budget, with the solid Snapdragon 860 processor, high-refresh-rate screen, and terrific battery. Its affair of good build, a full bag of connectivity, and decent audio seals the deal.
However, guys…the camera performance and software experience are minor concessions buyers must accept. If you set them aside, the POCO X3 Pro is truly capable at considering the money and fighting in the highly competitive mid-range segment.
The conclusion drawn is that the POCO X3 Pro performs exceptionally well where it matters most-performance, battery life, and display quality-while leaving a few compromises in turn for camera quality and software bloat. For those whose primary interests are performance and value, the POCO X3 Pro is a stellar device that somehow does even slightly more than one would usually expect for its price range. If you are a gamer, a power user, or just someone who wants a competent smartphone without spending money, the POCO X3 Pro is definitely worth a look.
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.
