The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC, like every Poco handset before it and almost every Xiaomi smartphone, is all about value, and I guess all the Poco X3 reviews agree on that.
However, the approach has shifted since the Poco phone F1 in 2018. The Poco X3 lacks a top-tier Snapdragon 8-series processor since cramming one into a low-cost handset no longer seems feasible.
The result, however, is the same. The Poco X3 NFC is most likely the best phone for gaming at this price point.
Poco X3 review: It has a big, well-specced screen, loud stereo speakers, and its Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor performs much better in games like Fortnite than the Snapdragon 665 and Exynos 9611 phones you might get for the same price.
It’s simply a long way ahead. Even Realme, the creator of some of 2020’s best budget phones, lacks a direct competitor at launch. The Poco X3’s sundae is topped off by excellent battery life and a nerd-pleasing 120Hz display screen, making it one of the best buys for techies on a tight budget.
However, there are a few things that could be improved. Its screen has erratic backlight flickering in some situations, which we assume is fixable with a firmware update. The strange bug suggests that the Poco X3 NFC is also in need of a device stability update.
Just one question is less likely to be resolved in the future. The Poco X3 NFC has a 64-megapixel main sensor, which sounds amazing. It takes decent photos but suffers from extreme purple fringing, which is worse than the majority of competitors in this price range.
Even, its digital 2x mode is superior to most, and although its low-light performance would not concern the Google Pixel 4a, it is at least on par with the best budget Androids.
There are still compelling reasons to upgrade to a phone like the Realme X50 5G. It has 5G, better results, and a nicer-feeling glass back. However, at this stage, such a cost increase may not seem negligible.
Poco X3 review: Quality and Design
For lack of a better expression, the design language of the Poco X3 is fascinating. The back of the phone is certainly not understated, with the large logo and unusually shaped camera island. This is not a handset for those who prefer designs on the quieter side of the spectrum.
However, we’ve recently seen even louder screaming backs from some of Poco’s rivals, who combine big letters with sparkly colorways.
At least in terms of colors, to be honest in this Poco X3 review, the device is a fairly pedestrian offering, with options like Cobalt Blue and Shadow Gray, the latter of which is the color of our review device.
Poco X3 review: We believe it is a love-it-or-hate-it style, and only you know which camp you belong to. Of course, this just applies to the back, as the front appears like every other smartphone, with the screen taking up the majority of the space and a tiny hole-punch cutout in the middle for the selfie camera.
This reviewer isn’t a fan of the back’s design, but here’s a question you might ask yourself: how much do you look at the back of your phone? Especially if you’re carrying a case. We’re willing to say that it doesn’t happen very often for most people.
The sensation of heft may be appealing to some people, especially those who believe that “heavier” implies “more premium” or something along those lines.
A sure thing that all the Poco X3 reviews should agree on that the phone should have been lighter, but we didn’t find it to be a problem in daily use. We’re used to seeing such numbers from a lot of flagship devices, and the feel in the hand is different but not as much as the price.
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Is the Poco X3 a decent smartphone?
As most of the Poco X3 reviews, we agree that the POCO X3 Pro provides the best output under Rs 20K, despite lacking an AMOLED monitor and a strong camera stack. Nonetheless, for budget-conscious gamers, the smartphone should be the first port of call.