Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Comprehensive Review Specs & Pricing

Design and Build

The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC features a solid build that combines a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, an aluminum frame, and a plastic back. This build choice provides a good balance between durability and cost-effectiveness. The dimensions of the device are 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm, and it weighs 215 g, which makes it slightly heavier than some competitors, but this is largely due to the substantial battery capacity. The phone supports a Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), allowing users the flexibility of dual SIM functionality or expanding their storage with a microSDXC card.

Display

The Poco X3 NFC boasts a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing a rich and immersive viewing experience. The display supports a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes animations and transitions appear smoother, significantly enhancing the user experience in gaming and video playback. The screen also supports HDR10, ensuring vibrant colors and excellent contrast for supported content. The screen-to-body ratio is impressive at approximately 84.6%, which means minimal bezels and more display real estate for the user.

Performance

Underneath its hood, the Poco X3 NFC is powered by the Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G chipset, a capable processor built on 8nm technology. It features an octa-core CPU (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) and an Adreno 618 GPU, offering robust performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The phone offers two RAM options, 6GB or 8GB, which provides ample power for multitasking. Available storage variants include 64GB and 128GB, and the storage can be expanded using a microSDXC card (using the shared SIM slot). This configuration appeals to users looking for a mid-range device capable of handling demanding applications and games with ease.

Camera

The device is equipped with a quad-camera setup, led by a 64 MP primary sensor with an aperture of f/1.9, enabling it to capture detailed and high-resolution photos. The camera system also includes a 13 MP ultra-wide lens with a 119-degree field of view, a 2 MP macro lens for close-up shots, and a 2 MP depth sensor to enhance portrait photography. On the front, it houses a 20 MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture, supporting HDR and panorama modes, and capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. The main camera can shoot video in up to 4K resolution at 30fps, and features such as dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama further enhance the photography experience.

Battery and Charging

The Poco X3 NFC is powered by a robust 5160 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, offering impressive endurance. According to Xiaomi, the battery can be charged to 62% in just 30 minutes and can achieve a full charge in about 65 minutes with the 33W wired fast charger included with the phone. This allows users to spend more time enjoying their device and less time tethered to an outlet.

Software and Features

The phone initially launched with Android 10 but is upgradable to Android 12, running Xiaomi's MIUI 14 skin on top. MIUI 14 offers a range of customization options and additional features to enhance user personalization. Notable features of the device include NFC for easy contactless payments, stereo speakers for an enriched audio experience, an infrared port for remote control functions, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which remains a valued feature for many users. It also supports a comprehensive suite of sensors including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass.

Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Poco X3 NFC is well-equipped. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, and LE for efficient wireless communication. For global navigation, it features GPS, GLONASS, and BDS. The inclusion of an FM radio with recording capability is a nice touch, and the device charges and transfers data via a USB Type-C 2.0 port, which supports OTG.

Price and Availability

Announced in September 2020, the Poco X3 NFC became available soon after. The pricing of the phone is competitive, aimed at providing great value for its features. Initially, it was priced at approximately $219.99 USD or €136.79 EUR, making it an attractive option in the mid-range smartphone market.

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a rich set of features for its price. Its large, high-refresh-rate display, powerful performance, versatile camera system, substantial battery life, and thoughtful design make it an excellent choice for consumers seeking a cost-effective yet capable smartphone. The additional features such as NFC, IR blaster, and stereo speakers further add to its value, ensuring that users do not have to compromise on modern conveniences.