Xiaomi Poco M3 is one of those smartphones that managed to win the love of users thanks to the perfect balance of price, performance and autonomy. But when exactly this device came out, and why it is still a topical choice for the budget segment? If you are planning to buy or just interested in the history of the POCO brand, this article will help you to understand all the details.
The Poco M3 is a logical extension of the Poco M line, which was originally marketed as a “flagship killer” due to its high performance at a low price. However, unlike its predecessors, the M3 has focused on autonomy and multimedia capabilities, which attracted the attention of not only gamers but also ordinary users. Let’s look at when the release took place, what features make it unique, and whether to buy this smartphone today.
Official release date Xiaomi Poco M3: the chronology of events
Xiaomi Poco M3 was announced on November 24, 2020, as part of a global online event, the first Poco M model to be launched after the POCO sub-brand split from Xiaomi’s core brand (which happened in early 2020), and official sales began on December 2, 2020 in key regions including India, Europe and Latin America.
Interestingly, the Poco M3 was the first POCO-branded device to be fully developed as an independent project, and previously the Poco F1 and Poco X2 were created with Xiaomi’s direct involvement, while the M3 demonstrated a new approach to design and marketing, which also explains why in some regions (such as China) the model was sold under the name Redmi Note 9 4G – because of the branding features.
In Russia, the official release took place a little later – in January 2021, due to logistical nuances and certification, while in some online stores, the smartphone appeared in December 2020 through “gray” deliveries.
Poco M3: What made it popular?
The success of the Poco M3 is due not only to its successful timing, but also to its technical features.
- 🔋 Battery on 6000 The MACh is one of the most capacious in its class, providing up to 2-3 Days of autonomous operation with moderate use.
- 🖥️ Screen. 6.53" FHD+ permittingly 2340×1080 support HDR10, What is rare for budget smartphones.
- 🚀 Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor is an optimized chipset for games and multi-tasking, built on 11-nm process technology.
- 📸 Triple main camera 48+2+2 MT with night mode and video support 4K@30fps.
- 🎧 Stereo speakers with support for Hi-Res Audio, which is atypical for devices of this price category.
- 🛡️ Splash protection (IP53) — Although not full water resistance, but an additional plus for everyday use.
The design is noteworthy: the Poco M3 has a plastic case with an anti-fingerprint texture that is not only practical but visually different from the competition, such as a POCO rectangle, which has become the signature style of the line.
💡
If you are looking for a smartphone with maximum autonomy, pay attention to the mode “Ultra Battery Saver” in the Poco M3 – it turns off background processes and leaves only basic functions (calls, SMS, hours), extending the work up to 5-7 days!
Comparison with other POCO models: why does the M3 stand out?
To see how successful the Poco M3 was, it is worth comparing it with other devices in the lineup, and here is a table of key differences from the nearest "brothers":
| Model | Release date | Processor | Battery | Screen. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poco M2 | September 2020 | Mediatek Helio G80 | 5,000 mAh | 6.53" FHD+ | A weaker processor, but cheaper |
| Poco M3 | November 2020 | Snapdragon 662 | 6,000 mAh | 6.53" FHD+ | Best Autonomy, Stereo speakers |
| Poco M3 Pro 5G | May 2021 | Mediatek Dimensity 700 | 5,000 mAh | 6.5" FHD+ | 5G support, but smaller battery capacity |
| Poco M4 Pro | February 2022 | Mediatek Helio G96 | 5,000 mAh | 6.43" AMOLED | AMOLED-screen, but without stereo speakers |
As you can see from the table, the Poco M3 occupies a unique niche: it is not the most productive, but offers the best autonomy among all models of the lineup (except for later versions with optimized software), and it is one of the few budget smartphones with full-fledged stereo speakers, which is appreciated by music and video fans.
⚠️ Note: If you choose between Poco M3 POCO M3 Pro 5G, Please note that the version of 5G It has a smaller battery (5,000 mAh) and doesn't support stereo speakers. For most users, the difference in Internet speed doesn't pay off the loss of autonomy.
The relevance of the Poco M3 in 2026: is it worth buying?
Nearly 4 years after the Poco M3 was released, it's still available for sale, both new devices (remains of warehouses) and used variants. But how relevant is it today? Consider the pros and cons of buying in 2026:
- ✅ Advantages: 💰 Low price – a new smartphone can be bought for 10-12 thousand rubles, b/u - for 6-8 thousand. 🔋 Record autonomy — 6000 MACh is still rare in the budget segment. 🎮 Support for modern games (on medium settings): Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG. 🔄 Software updates - the latest version MIUI 14 (Android-based 12) came out 2023 year.
- ❌ Deficiencies: 📱 Outdated design - thick screen frames and a large "chin". 📸 Average camera quality is 48 MP on paper, but poor photo processing is real. 🔌 Charging 18W – Slow by modern standards (full charge) ~2.5 hours). 🛠️ No official support for Android 13+ — Security updates are no longer available.
Who will be the Poco M3 in 2026?
- 📱 Secondary smartphone – for calls, instant messengers and games.
- 🎵 Multimedia device – thanks to the screen, speakers and battery.
- 💼 Budget option for work (if not required modern chips like 5G).
Better.
How to distinguish the original Poco M3 from a fake?
The popularity of the model has brought many clones and grey devices with questionable firmware to the market, so you can check out the following points:
Packaging with hologram and serial number|Inscription"POCO" typo-free|Firmware MIUI logo POCO loading|IMEI in the settings coincides with the box|Support for official updates through Settings → The phone.-->
Pay special attention to firmware: fakes often come with custom (unofficial) versions of Android, where there are no proprietary POCO features, such as Turbo Gaming mode or Hi-Res audio settings.
⚠️ Note: If you purchase a used Poco M3 The seller refuses to show the performance of stereo speakers or the battery test via ##4636## is a reason to doubt the originality of the device. In 2026, many "gray" devices are sold with rechargeable batteries (which often have a capacity of less than 4000 mAh).
Poco M3 Problems and How to Solve Them
Despite its reliability, the Poco M3 has some common diseases that show up over time, and the most common ways to treat them are:
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge - often associated with battery wear. Solution: replace the battery (the original costs a lot of money) ~1.5 thousand rubles) or calibrate it through Settings → Battery → Optimization.
- 📱 Overheating in games - Snapdragon 662 is prone to heat.Solution: use a heat sink case or reduce graphics in games.
- 📶 The weak signal is a problem for some batches, so you can either update the software or check the antenna at the service center.
- 🔊 Quiet sound in speakers -- often clogged with dust. Solution: Clean the speakers' holes with a soft brush or compressed air.
If the smartphone started spontaneously restarting, this may indicate a motherboard malfunction or firmware conflict, in which case, resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) or flashing through Fastboot will help.
💡
Most of the problems with the Poco M3 are related to battery wear or overheating of the processor.If the device did not fall or get wet, 90% of the malfunctions are solved by replacing the battery or cleaning from dust.
Where to buy Xiaomi Poco M3 in 2026: new vs b / d
In 2026, the new Poco M3 can only be found at unofficial sellers (for example, on AliExpress, Joybuy or in small online stores), prices vary from 10 to 15 thousand rubles depending on the configuration. However, buying a new device in 2026 is not advisable – for this money you can take more modern models like the Redmi Note 12 or Poco M6 Pro.
It's much more profitable to look at the used options, and here's where to look and what to look for.
- 🛒 Avito / Yula - prices from 5 to 8 thousand rubles. Check the status of the battery (capacity should be at least 80%).
- 🌍 Facebook Marketplace - often sold in good condition with checks.Average price: 7-9 thousand rubles.
- 📦 Specialized forums (e.g, 4PDA) — Here, sellers usually provide detailed information about the condition of the.
When buying a used Poco M3, be sure to ask:
- Photo by IMEI (should match the box and settings).
- Screenshot from AccuBattery or AIDA64 with battery health data.
- Video of all functions (cameras, speakers, sensors).
⚠️ Note: If the seller claims that the smartphone is “like new” but refuses to provide evidence (e.g. screenshot of the phone). MIUI Diagnostics with the time of operation, most likely, the device was used intensively, the best option is to buy from users who change their smartphone to a newer one, rather than from dealers.