Poco X3 Snapdragon 732G 120Hz 6000mAh India Launch

Yes, the Poco X3 with the Snapdragon 732G, 120Hz display, and 6000mAh battery was launched in India on September 22, 2020. It was the first phone in India to feature the Snapdragon 732G chipset, and it quickly became a popular mid-range choice due to its aggressive pricing and strong specifications.

Background and Positioning

The Poco X3 arrived as the successor to the Poco X2, which itself was a rebadged Redmi K30. With the X3, Poco aimed to deliver a “flagship killer” experience at a mid-range price, focusing on three key pillars: performance, display, and battery life. The phone was launched during a period of intense competition in the Indian sub-₹20,000 segment, with rivals like the Realme 7 Pro and the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max. Poco’s strategy was to offer a slightly more powerful chipset and a larger battery than its competitors, while keeping the price under ₹17,000 for the base variant.

The launch was a direct response to consumer demand for high-refresh-rate displays and long battery life, which were becoming key differentiators in the mid-range market. The X3 was also notable for its design, featuring a large camera module and a distinctive “Poco” branding on the back, which set it apart from the more subdued designs of its competitors.

Key Specifications and Features

The Poco X3’s main selling points were its hardware specifications, which were impressive for the price:

• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G, an octa-core chipset with two Cortex-A76 performance cores and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, built on an 8nm process.
• Display: 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080) IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also supported HDR10 and had a peak brightness of 450 nits.
• Battery: 6000mAh with 33W fast charging support. The charger was included in the box.
• Cameras: Quad rear setup with a 64MP primary sensor (Sony IMX682), 13MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. The front camera was 20MP.
• Memory and Storage: Available in two variants – 6GB RAM + 64GB storage and 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, both using UFS 2.1 storage.
• Software: Ran on MIUI 12 for Poco, based on Android 10, with a promise of two years of OS updates.

Performance and Gaming

The Snapdragon 732G was a slight upgrade over the 730G found in the Poco X2, with higher clock speeds on both the CPU and GPU. In real-world usage, this translated to smooth performance in daily tasks and capable gaming. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile ran well at medium to high settings, with the 120Hz display providing a noticeable improvement in scrolling and animations, though most games were capped at 60fps. The phone also featured a liquid cooling system, which helped manage thermals during extended gaming sessions.

While the 732G was not a flagship chipset, it was more than adequate for the target audience. Benchmark scores were competitive with other phones in the same price range, and the phone rarely showed signs of lag or stutter in normal use.

Battery Life and Charging

The 6000mAh battery was one of the biggest draws of the Poco X3. In typical usage, which included a mix of social media, video streaming, and some gaming, the phone could easily last two full days on a single charge. With heavy use, such as continuous gaming or navigation, it still managed to get through a full day. The 33W fast charger could fill the battery from 0 to 100% in about 65 minutes, which was quite good for such a large capacity. The phone also supported reverse charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, although at a modest 5W output.

Camera Performance

The 64MP primary camera produced sharp, detailed images in good lighting conditions. The default mode used pixel-binning to output 16MP shots, which offered good dynamic range and accurate colors. The ultra-wide camera was decent, though it struggled in low light. The macro and depth sensors were largely gimmicks, as is common in this segment. The 20MP front camera was capable of good selfies in daylight, and the portrait mode worked reasonably well. Video recording was supported up to 4K at 30fps, with decent stabilization. Overall, the camera was a solid performer for the price, though not class-leading.

Software and Updates

The Poco X3 launched with MIUI 12 for Poco, which was a customized version of Xiaomi’s MIUI. It included a few Poco-specific features, such as a dedicated Poco launcher and some exclusive themes. However, the software was often criticized for its bloatware – pre-installed apps and ads within the system UI. Over time, Poco rolled out updates to Android 11 and Android 12, but the update schedule was slower than some competitors. The phone also received a beta of Android 13, but the rollout was limited. For users who disliked MIUI, there was an active custom ROM community, with official support for LineageOS and other AOSP-based ROMs.

Common Problems and Complaints

While the Poco X3 was generally well-received, it had its share of issues. Some users reported:

• Ghost touch issues: A number of users experienced random touches on the display, which was often attributed to a hardware or software bug. This was partially addressed in later software updates.
• Battery drain: Some users reported excessive battery drain after updates, which was often resolved by a factory reset or clearing cache.
• Ads in the UI: The presence of ads in MIUI was a common complaint, though they could be disabled in the settings.
• Heating: While the cooling system helped, the phone could get warm during intensive gaming, especially in hot climates.

Comparison with Competitors

At the time of its launch, the Poco X3 faced stiff competition. The Realme 7 Pro offered a Super AMOLED display and faster 65W charging, but it had a smaller 4500mAh battery and a slightly weaker Snapdragon 720G chipset. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max had a similar camera setup and battery, but its 60Hz display and older 720G processor made it less appealing to enthusiasts. The Poco X3’s main advantage was its combination of a 120Hz display, a powerful chipset, and a huge battery, all at a competitive price. In subsequent months, phones like the Realme 8 Pro and the Redmi Note 10 Pro offered better cameras or AMOLED displays, but the X3 remained a solid choice for those prioritizing performance and battery life.

Cost and Value

The Poco X3 was launched at ₹16,999 for the 6GB/64GB variant and ₹18,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant. These prices were highly competitive, and the phone often went on sale at even lower prices during festive seasons. Over time, the price dropped further, making it an even better value. However, as newer models were released, the X3 was eventually discontinued. For those looking for a used unit, the Poco X3 can still be found on second-hand marketplaces, but buyers should be aware of potential battery degradation and the lack of software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Poco X3 still worth buying in 2024?

In 2024, the Poco X3 is outdated. It lacks 5G support, has an older chipset, and no longer receives major Android updates. For a similar price, you can find newer phones with better cameras, faster charging, and longer software support. Only consider it if you are on a very tight budget and can find one at a steep discount, but be aware of the lack of updates.

Does the Poco X3 support 5G?

No, the Poco X3 does not support 5G. It is a 4G LTE phone, as the Snapdragon 732G chipset does not include a 5G modem. If 5G is a priority, look for phones with the Snapdragon 480 or Dimensity 700 series or newer.

How many Android updates did the Poco X3 receive?

The Poco X3 launched with Android 10 and received updates to Android 11 and Android 12. It also received a beta of Android 13, but the stable rollout was limited. In total, it got two major OS updates, which was in line with the promise at launch.

Can the Poco X3 handle heavy gaming?

Yes, the Poco X3 can handle most games at medium to high settings. The Snapdragon 732G is capable, and the 120Hz display makes the experience smoother. However, for the most demanding games at the highest settings, you may need to lower the graphics to maintain a stable frame rate. The phone does get warm during long sessions, but the cooling system keeps it in check.

What is the charging time for the Poco X3?

With the included 33W charger, the Poco X3 takes about 65 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%. A quick 10-minute charge can provide around 20% battery, which is useful in a pinch.

Is the Poco X3 waterproof?

No, the Poco X3 does not have an official IP rating for water or dust resistance. It has a P2i nano-coating that provides some protection against splashes, but it is not safe to submerge it in water. Avoid using it in heavy rain or near pools.

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