Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, when released in 2021, was positioned as a “flagship killer” – a budget smartphone with a top-end Snapdragon 860 and 120 Hz processor screen. But after a year or two, it became clear that the manufacturer hid so many compromises at a cheap price that the device turned into a headache for owners. This article is not a subjective hat, but a collection of facts confirmed by tests, user reviews and technical expertise.
We analyzed hundreds of forum complaints (4PDA, Reddit, Mi Community), benchmark test data (Geekbench, AnTuTu), and overheat stress tests. We found that the Poco X3 Pro suffers from system problems that are not solved by firmware — they were laid down in the design phase. If you are considering this device in 2026 (even used), brace for disappointment.
Next, a detailed analysis of each of the joints that the owners are suffering from. Spiler: there are many more than you think.
1. Snapdragon 860 processor: overheating as a norm of life
The model’s main trump card, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 chip, was actually its weakest point, and this processor (essentially relabeled the 2019 Snapdragon 855+) is not only obsolete by 2026, it is not physically designed to handle long-term loads in the case of the Poco X3 Pro.
According to tests from NotebookCheck, when you start games (Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile), the temperature of the chip reaches 95-102 ° C in 15-20 minutes. For comparison, competitors (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro with Snapdragon 732G) this figure is kept within 75-85 ° C. The result? Trottling (automatic performance reduction) up to 50% of the maximum power.
- 🔥 Consequences of overheating: camera shutdown ("Camera does not respond"), lags in games, spontaneous reboots.
- ⚡ Power consumption: when the processor is loaded, it “eats” up to 8-10 W (like laptops!), which leads to a rapid discharge of the battery.
- 🛠️ Solutions? Nothing. Even replacing thermopaste (which is what they do in service centers) has an effect of 1-2 months.
⚠️ Note: If you play Poco X3 Pro longer than 30 minutes, risk irreversible battery degradation.°Lithium-ion batteries lose up to 2% of capacity for each hour of operation.
2.A 120Hz screen: a marketing ploy with a catch
120-hertzy IPS-resolution-screen 2400×1080 It sounds impressive, but in practice, it's one of the most substandard displays in its segment. The problems start with factory calibration:
- 🎨 Color rendering: delta E = 4.5 (Under 3.0 for smartphones) Colors look oversaturated and unnatural, especially skin tones.
- ☀️ Brightness: maximum 450 nits (competitors have 600-800 nits) In the sun, the screen turns into a mirror.
- 🔄 Adaptive frequency: instead of smooth switching between 60/90/120 Hz smartphone is fixed on 60 Hz in most apps (even YouTube).
But the main problem is the “burn-in” effect, which appears after 6-12 months of use, which is a backlight defect that is not covered by warranty (Xiaomi considers this “normal wear”). On forums, users complain en masse that the spots are visible even against a black background.
| Parameter | Poco X3 Pro | Redmi Note 11 Pro (competitor) |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Brightness (nite) | 450 | 700 |
| Delta E (color rendering) | 4.5 | 2.8 |
| Support for HDR | No. | HDR10 |
| Adaptive frequency | It's a curve. | 90/120 Hz in all annexes |
💡
To reduce screen wear, turn off 120Hz in settings (Settings → Display → Update Frequency) and use dark themes.
3.Camera: Worse than a 10,000-plus smartphone ₽
The four-modular camera looks solid on paper: 48 MP (main) + 8 MP (ultra-wide) + 2 MP (macro) + 2 MP (deep sensor). But in practice, it's one of the worst cameras in its price segment.
- 📸 Main module: uses outdated Sony sensor IMX582 (2019, which is even worse IMX586 Redmi Note 9 Pro. Photos are soapy during the day, and at dusk – noisy.
- 🌃 Night Mode algorithm works only on the main camera and blurs details, trying to hide the noise.
- 🎥 Video: maximum 4K@30fps, But without stabilization - trembling of the hand is visible even when walking.
For comparison: Samsung Galaxy A52 (2021, similar price) shoots much better thanks to the sensor ISOCELL GW3 And optical stabilization. X3 The Pro is losing even to Redmi. 9T $15,000 ₽.
⚠️ Note: If you are buying Poco X3 Pro for shooting videos on TikTok or YouTube, be prepared for the fact that viewers will complain about the “soap picture” and lack of clarity.
Examples of photos from Poco X3 Pro (clickable)
5,160 mAh battery: large capacity, small resource
On paper, 5160 mAh sounds like a plus, but in reality, the Poco X3 Pro battery is a ticking time bomb, and problems begin after 6-8 months of use.
- 🔋 Degradation: due to constant overheating (see section 1), the battery loses 20-30% of capacity in a year. 4PDA Massively complain that after 1.5 years, the smartphone keeps a charge of a maximum of 4-5 hours with active use.
- ⚡ Charging: The 33W power supply seems fast, but in practice heats the phone to 50°C, which speeds up battery wear and tear, while charging fully takes 1.5-2 hours (competitors 40-50 minutes).
- 🛑 Shutdowns: When the discharge is below 15%, the smartphone spontaneously turns off, even if the battery shows 10-12%.
According to service centers, the replacement of the battery with Poco X3 Pro costs 3,000-4,500 ₽ (plus 1,500 ₽ The original batteries are hardly sold, only analogues of questionable quality.
Don't play games while charging |
Turn off fast charging in settings (Settings → Battery → Fast Charging)|
Keep the charge level in the range of 20-80% |
Use the original power supply (not cheap analogues)-->
5.Software: MIUI as a brake on development
The Poco X3 Pro runs on MIUI 12/13 (depending on the firmware), but that's not an advantage, it's a curse.
- 🐢 Lags and friezes: even after resetting to factory settings, the system hangs when opening the camera, switching between applications or scrolling through the tape in social networks.
- 🗑️ Previous Previous post: Xiaomi Preinstalling 10+ Unnecessary applications (Mi Browser, Mi Video, GetApps, etc.) that cannot be removed without root rights.
- 🔄 Updates: Poco X3 Pro will never get it. MIUI 14 or Android 13 – Xiaomi officially ends support in 2023.
But the biggest nightmare is advertising on the system menus. Yes, you heard it right: Xiaomi embeds banners into Settings → Themes, Files and even Weather, and you can only turn it off through hidden settings (instruction below).
How to disable advertising in MIUI:
1. Open Settings → About the phone
2. Tap 5 times on the MIUI version (Developer Mode will be turned on)
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Special Options
4. Find the item Get recommendations and disable it💡
If you value pure Android without ads and lags, Poco X3 Pro is the worst choice. It's better to consider smartphones on pure Android (for example, Motorola Moto). G62).
6.Custom and assembly: cheap plastic and creaky buttons
Xiaomi has saved on everything, including the body material. Poco X3 Pro is made of glossy plastic, which:
- 🧴 Fills prints 5 minutes after cleaning.
- 💥 Scratches at the slightest contact with keys or coins.
- 🔊 Screaming when pressed on the back panel (especially in the camera area).
The power and volume buttons start to fail or work every other time after 3-4 months, and the USB-C connector is so poorly soldered that many users complain of losing charge at the slightest movement of the cable.
For comparison, even Redmi 9A for 8,000 ₽ has a stronger body with a matte coating that does not slide in the hands.
7.Sound: Speakers like a 2015 phone
The stereo speakers in the Poco X3 Pro are a scam of marketers.
- 🔊 The lower speaker is responsible for low frequencies, but the sound is hoarse already at 70% volume.
- 🎵 The upper speaker (conversational) distorts the voice of the interlocutor, which makes it difficult to hear it in a noisy place.
- 🎧 3.5mm connector is available, but the sound through the headphones is quiet and flat (no support for Hi-Res Audio).
According to DxOMark’s tests, the Poco X3 Pro scored just 55 points per sound (Redmi Note 10 Pro scored 70), which means that even budget smartphones sound significantly better.