POCO X3 NFC vs Realme 7 Pro Specs Comparison – All About Decisions

Six months later, the most popular mid-range phones get their successors. With the POCO X3 NFC replacing the Redmi Note 9s/Note 9 Pro (despite being under a different brand) and Realme 7 Pro with Realme 6 Pro, it’s time to compare, again, the best value phones for the 2nd half of 2020. You may think that we’re only looking at small upgrades, but the two brands drastically changed when it comes to their offerings.

READ: 7 Budget Phones for Online Classes Under P8,000

POCO X3 NFC and Realme 7 Pro Similarities and Differences

Which is the better buy between the POCO X3 NFC and Realme 7 Pro?

Design and Display

Realme 7 Pro has taken the path of boring designs with its two-tone finish on the back, but that doesn’t mean boring is bad per se. It may not be as flashy as its predecessor, but the new look now allows for fewer fingerprint smudges. It’s also the thinner and lighter phone in this comparison. Though it’s missing IP53 rating, something its competition has, Realme claims that the repellent coating should keep accidental splashes in check. As for POCO X3 NFC, it looks distinct and very different compared to all smartphones. Apparently, the two-tone finish on the back is inspired by racing. The chromatic branding may not appeal to most consumers, but we can’t deny that POCO is striving to separate itself from Xiaomi. But then again, we’re comparing it to Realme 7 Pro. It has IP53 water and dust resistance rating. It can’t survive underwater, but it’s less likely to break than other non-rated devices.

Both devices are of polycarbonate material, but POCO X3 NFC comes with an aluminum frame that makes it resistant to bending. Though it’s hard to decide which we prefer in terms of looks, we have to admit that POCO made the more durable phone here.

If you’re looking for a fast experience, POCO X3 NFC offers just that with its 120Hz FHD+ IPS LCD. It’s also a large one, clocking in at 6.67″ diagonal. Gorilla Glass 5 acts as the first line of defense, of course. But, additional features include HDR10 playback and up to 450 nits. There’s a pinhole on the top-center, which the company claims to be the smallest in a phone. On the other end, Realme 7 Pro is done experimenting with a fast refresh rate. Instead, it’s using Super AMOLED with the standard 60Hz. The company clearly prioritized color quality than the battery-draining feature. There’s only Gorilla Glass 3, but there’s Always-on Display. The company may have dropped the 90Hz from Realme 6 Pro, but that panel lacked nits to make it stand out (literally). Either way, this will come down to user preference. Do you prefer 120Hz or Super AMOLED?

READ: Snapdragon 732G vs 730G vs 720G Specs Comparison – An Upgrade or Refresh?

Performance

Snapdragon 732G vs Snapdragon 720G – POCO X3 NFC holds the advantage in performance, all thanks to that newer Snapdragon 732G. Qualcomm claims that it offers up to a 15% boost in GPU (versus SD 720G) along with a few enhancements in the background such as AI computing. However, that doesn’t mean the SD 720G is no good. It’s still a good chipset in a mid-range phone. It’s just not new. Where Realme 7 Pro tries to even the series is with the addition of an 8GB RAM model for the 128GB storage. As for the POCO X3 NFC, it’s stuck with 6GB RAM regardless if you’re getting 64GB or 128GB. Either way, there’s a MicroSD slot for expansion on both devices.

Much like the Redmi Note 9s, the fingerprint scanner is still located on the power button for the POCO X3 NFC. Realme 7 Pro, on the other hand, is now using the more standard in-display scanner. Again, we think this is going to come down again to user preference. Do you prefer a faster chipset or bigger RAM capacity?

READ: Snapdragon 732G vs 730G vs 720G Specs Comparison – An Upgrade or Refresh?

Cameras

As seen from the table, the technical advantage of POCO X3 NFC is the 13MP ultrawide lens being bigger than 8MP. It’s a shame though the 5MP macro on the Redmi Note 9s got downgraded to 2MP here. We actually loved the quality of that lens. But regardless, we’re still looking at up to 4K@30fps video recording along with EIS on lower settings. The same goes for the Realme 7 Pro. As for the selfie camera, Realme may take sharper photos due to the pixel-packed 32MP sensor. On top of that, you can do slo-mo selfies of up to 120fps with EIS.

As it stands right now, Realme 7 Pro managed to edge out its competition with the better selfie camera.

Audio

Once an overlooked feature of the phone is now getting attention — stereo speakers. With the new setup on each device, expect a fuller and louder loudspeaker experience. We also love the fact that there are an audio jack and support for 24-bit hi-res audio. This is the first time we’re giving these two a tie.

Battery

If you want longer screen time on a single charge, POCO X3 NFC will provide you just that thanks to the 5160mAh battery. But, do take note that it’s using 120Hz, so your mileage may vary. The company’s 33W fast charging tech is still here, allowing up to 100% in just 65 mins. Realme 7 Pro, however, cuts the charging time in half with its 65W brick. It may be housing the smaller 4500mAh capacity, but it’s only powering a Super AMOLED 60Hz panel. This is another tough decision to make, so we’re going to leave it for you to decide.

Verdict

Realme 7 Pro is not available in the Philippines yet, hence the converted prices from Indian rupees. However, POCO X3 NFC is officially retailing in the country.

• X3 NFC – 6GB/64GB – P10,990
• X3 NFC – 6GB/128GB – P12,990
• 7 Pro – 8GB/64GB – Rs. 19,999(~Php13,200)
• 7 Pro – 8GB/128GB – Rs. 21,999(~Php14,500)

Neither of the two is the perfect mid-range phone that we hoped for. However, they are more different than similar. Picking between the two is going to be tricky, as everything basically comes down to decisions. But personally speaking, having tried the IPS LCD panel of the Redmi Note 9s, I can comfortably choose that over Super AMOLED. And with the POCO X3 NFC being the “successor,” the 120Hz panel just makes the experience more enjoyable. But if there’s one deal-breaker, that RAM capacity is starting to feel limited in the 2nd half of 2020.

What about you? Which do you prefer as your next daily driver?

READ: Realme X7 vs Realme X7 Pro Specs Comparison – Affordable 120Hz, 5G Phones!