Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro became one of the most talked-about gadgets of 2021 thanks to a combination of powerful stuffing and affordable price. This model continued the tradition of the POCO line, focused on gamers and users demanding performance. But when exactly did this device come to market, and what preceded its release?
In this article, we will examine in detail not only the official release date, but also the context of the release of Poco. X3 Pro: how it fit into the brand's strategy, what technologies debuted with it, and why it still holds true for many users. X3 NFC, How the release date affected its positioning in the market.
Official release date of Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro was announced on March 22, 2021, as part of a global online event, a landmark event for the POCO sub-brand, which by then had successfully separated from Xiaomi as an independent player in the smartphone market. Sales of the model began on March 24, 2021 — almost immediately after the presentation, which was atypical for many manufacturers, usually dragging out the period between the announcement and the start of sales.
Interestingly, in some regions, such as India, the smartphone was released a little later, on March 30, 2021, due to logistical nuances and the need to adapt the firmware to local communication standards, but the global release was almost synchronized, which underscored POCO’s ambition to capture the international market.
By comparison, its predecessor, the Poco X3 NFC, debuted in September 2020 — a mere 6 months between the models — and the short interval was a testament to the brand’s strategy of rapidly updating its lineup to keep the audience interested.
Why did the Poco X3 Pro come out so fast?
The Poco X3 Pro, six months after the Poco X3 NFC, was a surprise to many, but there were good reasons for the rush:
- 🔥 Competition in the budget gaming smartphone market: In 2021, the Realme Narzo and Redmi Note lineups were actively developed, which offered similar specs at a comparable price. POCO You had to keep the lead.
- 📉 Poco's sales fall X3 NFC The model is obsolete morally: Snapdragon processor 732G It didn’t look so powerful in the face of the new chips.
- 💡 Testing a new processor. Poco X3 Pro became the first smartphone with a Snapdragon chip 860 — Redesigned version of the flagship Snapdragon 855+ 2019 It was a marketing move: to offer flagship performance in the budget segment.
Besides, the brand POCO After separating from Xiaomi in 2020, the company had to prove that it was able to independently develop and promote products. X3 Pro is part of this strategy, demonstrating that the sub-brand can respond quickly to market demands.
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If you’re looking for a smartphone to play, look for the CPU release date, not the phone itself.The Snapdragon 860 chip in the Poco X3 Pro, while not new (based on the 2019 architecture), still handles most modern games at mid-range settings.
Key Features of Poco X3 Pro at the Time of Release
At the time of its release in March 2021, the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offered the following technical parameters that set it apart from its competitors:
| Characteristics | Parameter | Comparison with Poco X3 NFC |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | vs Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) – performance gain ~40% |
| RAM | 6/8GB of LPDDR4X | No changes, but the processor made the work smoother. |
| Screen. | 6.67" IPS LCD, 120 Hz, 450 nits | Identical to its predecessor, but with improved color reproduction |
| Battery | 5160 mAh, 33 W fast charging | Same capacity, but charging is faster (vs 27W) |
| Main camera. | 48 MP (Sony IMX582) + 8 MP (width) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (depth) | Hardware hasn't changed, but processing software has improved. |
The Snapdragon 860 processor was a redesigned version of the Snapdragon 855.+, which in 2019 was installed in flagship devices (for example, OnePlus) 7T Asus ROG Phone II). For the budget segment (Price Poco) X3 Pro started from ~$250) such "iron" became a sensation.
But not everything was perfect, like a lack of support. 5G In 2021, it was perceived as a drawback, especially against the background of competitors like the Realme 8 Pro. X3 Pro basked in long gaming sessions - a problem inherited from Poco X3 NFC.
Why is there no 5G in the Poco X3 Pro?
The difference from the Poco X3 NFC: should you overpay?
The main question that worried buyers in 2021: “What is the Poco X3 Pro better than its predecessor, and is the price difference justified?”
- ⚡ Performance: Snapdragon 860 vs Snapdragon 732G — The difference in synthetic tests was 30-50% In games, it meant more stable. FPS In the form of Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile.
- 🔋 Fast charging: 33 Won't. 27 W is the difference 20-25 minutiae 0 before 100%. For many users, this has been a crucial factor.
- 📸 Software-based photo processing: While the camera hardware has remained the same, the shooting algorithms have improved, such as night mode has become faster and the colors in the photos have become more saturated.
- 🎮 Game-playing features: At Poco X3 Pro appeared Game Turbo 4.0 mode with advanced performance settings, which was not in the base model.
However, there were also drawbacks that made some users prefer to stay on the Poco X3 NFC:
- 🔥 Overheating: Due to a more powerful processor and lack of active cooling Poco X3 Pro warmed more when the load was applied.
- 💰 Price: At the start of sales, the difference between the models was ~$50, which is essential for the budget segment.
- 📡 No improvements in the network: Both models supported only 4G, The quality of the signal is at the same level.
Maximum performance in games |Fast charging |Ready to put up with overheating |Budget allows you to overpay $50
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How the release date affected the positioning of the model
The launch of the Poco X3 Pro in March 2021 was a calculated step from a marketing perspective.
1.Competitive advantage over spring innovations: By March, most brands had already introduced their flagships (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 was released in January), and the budget segment was less saturated. POCO managed to occupy the niche of a “powerful low-cost smartphone” without serious competitors.
2. Preparation for the summer sales season. March-April is the time when users start planning summer purchases. The release of the model 2-3 months before the peak of demand allowed to build up the base of reviews and recommendations by the time of active sales.
3.Using the “flagship” chip of the previous generation: the Snapdragon 860 chip by March 2021 was already well optimized for games and applications, while new processors (for example, the Snapdragon 870) were still gaining popularity, which reduced the risks with software compatibility.
However, there was a flip side: by the fall of 2021, Poco X3 Pro has lost relevance due to the release of Poco F3 (with Snapdragon 870 and Poco X3 GT (supportive 5G). However, the model remained in demand due to aggressive pricing policy - by the end of the year its value fell to the level of the market. ~$200, which made it one of the most profitable on the market.
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The launch of the Poco X3 Pro in March 2021 allowed the POCO brand to take the niche of a “budget gaming smartphone” before the emergence of competitors with 5G and new chips.
Where and how to buy Poco X3 Pro in 2021: prices and availability
At the start of sales, Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro was available in several configurations:
- 📦 6/128 GB: Recommended retail price — $249 (Russia — ~19 000 ruble).
- 📦 8/256 GB: recommended price — $299 (Russia — ~23 000 ruble).
Official sales started at the following sites:
- 🌍 Global Market: Mi Store, Amazon, AliExpress (via official sellers).
- 🇮🇳 India: Flipkart (exclusive partner), later - Amazon India.
- 🇷🇺 Russia: Svyaznoy, M.Video, Wildberries, as well as the official website of Xiaomi.
Interesting fact: in the first weeks after the release, demand exceeded supply, and in some sites (for example, AliExpress) the price soared to $ 300-320 for the version 6/128 GB. This was due to the shortage of Snapdragon 860 chips, which was observed in the first quarter of 2021 due to global problems in the supply chain.
⚠️ Attention: B 2021 In the last year, there were many “gray” suppliers selling Poco. X3 Pro with global firmware, but without an official guarantee in Russia, customers were advised to check the availability of the product. IMEI Xiaomi database via website mi.com/verify.
Poco X3 Pro 2026: Should I Buy Today?
Three years after the release of the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is still available for sale (usually in the secondary market or in the form of "used as new"). But how relevant is it in 2026?
Advantages:
- ✅ Performance: The Snapdragon 860 still pulls most games on medium settings (e.g., the Snapdragon, PUBG Mobile at 60. FPS).
- ✅ 120Hz screen: Not all budget smartphones offer this refresh rate even in 2026.
- ✅ Repairability: Parts (screen, battery) are widely available and the repair price is lower than the new models.
Disadvantages:
- ❌ No updates: The latest version MIUI POCO X3 Pro — MIUI 14 based on Android 12. new security patches will not be.
- ❌ Compared to modern state-owned employees (for example, Redmi Note 13) the quality of photos and videos is significantly inferior.
- ❌ Battery: Capacity 5160 The mAh is still good, but the original batteries after 3 The years of operation are often lost 20-30% capacity.
If you want a low-cost smartphone for gaming, calling and social media, the Poco X3 Pro in 2026 may be a smart choice, provided you buy it for a price of no more than $120-150. For photography, multitasking or long-term use, it is better to consider newer models, such as the Poco X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
⚠️ Note: When buying used Poco X3 Check the battery status through the engineering menu (##4636## → Battery information) If the health value is lower 80%, The battery will have to be changed soon (cost) ~$20-30).