Xiaomi Poco X3 has become one of the most talked-about gadgets of 2020, combining powerful performance, innovative technology and an affordable price.This model not only continued the tradition of the POCO sub-brand, but also set new standards for the budget segment. If you are planning to buy or just interested in the history of Xiaomi smartphones, the release date of the Poco X3 is a key point that is worth exploring in more detail.
In this article, we will not only answer the question of when the Xiaomi Poco X3 came out, but also reveal the context of its appearance: why this model became so popular, what technologies debuted with it, and how it influenced the further development of the lineup. You will also learn about the key differences from its predecessors, the nuances of the first installments and what experts thought about the smartphone at the time of its release.
Official release date Xiaomi Poco X3: chronology of events
Xiaomi Poco X3 was announced on September 22, 2020 as part of a global online presentation, a landmark event for the POCO brand, which by then had already managed to survive the rebranding and separation from the main line of Xiaomi.
Interestingly, the first mention of the development of the new model appeared a few months before the release. In August 2020, the network began to leak specs and renders, which confirmed that POCO is preparing a smartphone with a 120 Hz display, a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor and an improved cooling system. These rumors ignited the interest of the community, and by the time of the official announcement, expectations were extremely high.
- 📅 September 22, 2020 – Poco’s global announcement X3.
- 🛒 29 September 2020 – start of sales in India (first market).
- 🌍 October 2020 – Entering the European and Russian markets.
- 📦 November 2020 – Special edition of Poco X3 NFC global-market.
Importantly, the Poco X3 came in two versions: the standard version for India and the Poco X3 NFC for the rest of the world, the latter with contactless payment support, which was a key difference. Both models retained identical specs, except for this nuance.
Poco X3 technical specifications: what made it revolutionary?
At the time of the release of Xiaomi Poco X3 It offered features that were previously unavailable in the budget segment, with the 6.67-inch model becoming the model's main trump card. IPS-display with refresh rate of 120 Hz and support HDR10. It was one of the first smartphones in its price category, who offered such smoothness of display – competitors with similar screens could be counted on the fingers.
Under the hood of the device was the Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor, an improved version of the Snapdragon 730G, optimized for games. It was paired with the Adreno 618 graphics system, which allowed you to run even demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile at high settings. An additional plus was the LiquidCool Technology 1.0+ liquid cooling system, which prevented overheating during long gaming sessions.
| Characteristics | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 cores, up to 2.3 GHz) |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Built-in memory | 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 2.1 |
| Screen. | 6.67”, IPS LCD, 120 Hz, HDR10, 2400×1080 |
| Battery | 5160 mAh, fast charging 33 W |
Another feature was a quadruple main camera with a 64 MP main sensor (Sony IMX682). the kit was a wide-angle module at 13 MP, a macro lens at 2 MP and a depth sensor at 2 MP. For its time, it was one of the most advanced cameras in the budget segment, although experts noted that the software processing sometimes “overstepped the stick” with color saturation.
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If you buy a Poco X3 in 2026, look at the battery condition, which could have decreased significantly in 3-4 years of use. Check the number of charging cycles through the engineering menu (#4636##).
Poco X3’s Differences from Its Predecessors: Why Was It a Breakthrough?
To understand why the Poco X3 has created such a splash, it is worth comparing it with previous models of the lineup: its direct predecessor, the Poco X2 (released in February 2020), already offered a 120 Hz display, but was inferior to the new smartphone in a number of key parameters:
- 🔋 Battery: 5160 mAh vs. 4500 mAh at Poco X2 — 15-year increase%.
- 📱 Processor: Snapdragon 732G vs Snapdragon 730G — improved productivity on 10-15%.
- 📸 Main camera: 64 MP (IMX682) 64 MP (IMX686) — New sensor with better processing HDR.
- 🔄 Refrigeration: Improved LiquidCool 1.0+ heat-tube.
The Poco X3 was also the first smartphone in the line to feature Dolby Atmos-enabled stereo speakers, making it the perfect choice for media enthusiasts, and the return of the 3.5mm audio jack that was not available in the Poco X2 was a welcome decision.
⚠️ Note: If you see offers to buy a new Poco X3 At a price below 10,000 rubles in 2026, it is likely either a fake or a used device with a replaced battery. Original new copies have long been discontinued, and their cost on the secondary market starts from 12,000-15,000 rubles.
Regional features of the release: NFC, prices and availability
One of the most discussed topics after the announcement was the lack of a module NFC Poco's basic version X3 The decision has caused some users to complain, as contactless payments are already in use in many countries by 2020. X3 NFC, which went on sale a little later.
Prices at the start of sales varied depending on the region and configuration:
- 🇮🇳 India (Poco) X3): from 16 999 INR (~15 000 ₽) version 6/64 GB.
- 🇪🇺 Europe (Poco) X3 NFC): from 229 € (~20 000 ₽) post 6/64 GB.
- 🇷🇺 Russia (Poco) X3 NFC): from 19 990 ₽ post 6/128 GB.
It is interesting that in some countries Poco X3 NFC It was cheaper than in Europe, and in Indonesia, for example, you could buy it for the equivalent of 17,000. ₽, a on AliExpress during sales the price fell to 15 000 ₽. This made the model extremely popular among the "gray" importers.
Why is the Poco X3 NFC more expensive in Europe?
The availability has also been nuanced: the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many countries to experience delays in deliveries, such as the first shipments of the Poco X3 NFC to Russia in November 2020, although the official announcement for the global market took place in October, leading many users to order the device from China or India through intermediaries.
Reviews of experts and users: what did they say about the Poco X3 when it was released?
The response to the Xiaomi Poco X3 has been overwhelmingly positive, both from experts and regular users, and has been called a “flagship killer” by many media outlets for its combination of top-end specs and affordable price tags, such as GSMArena’s 8.8/10 rating, highlighting the display, performance and battery life.
Among the key advantages that the reviewers highlighted:
- ⚡ Performance: Snapdragon 732G confidently pulled all modern games on high settings.
- 🔋 Autonomy: the battery 5160 mAh provided up to 2 days of operation with moderate use.
- 🎮 120Hz display: smooth animation and responsiveness made interaction with the device extremely comfortable.
- 🔊 Stereo speakers: the sound was much better than the competition in the same price category.
However, there were criticisms, with the main claims being:
- 📏 Dimensions and weights: at a thickness of 10.1 mm and a weight of 225 g, the smartphone seemed bulky.
- 📷 Cameras: Despite 64 MP, low-light photos were noisy.
- 🔄 MIUI: The shell contained a lot of advertising and unnecessary services (especially in the global version).
⚠️ Note: If you are buying Poco X3 Please note that official support for updates MIUI And this is the model that ended in 2023, and the last version of Android that the smartphone got was Android 12 (MIUI Installation of custom firmware may deprive you of warranty (if it is still valid).
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Poco X3 became the first smartphone in the budget segment, which offered a full 120 Hz display, a powerful processor and a battery capacity of more than 5000 mAh. This combination made it a bestseller of 2020-2021.
How did the Poco X3 influence the development of the POCO lineup?
The success of the Poco X3 was a catalyst for the entire POCO lineup. Since its release, the company has been betting on a similar strategy: maximum performance for minimal money. Already in 2021, the Poco X3 Pro with a Snapdragon 860 processor (modified by the Snapdragon 855+), which further expanded the boundaries of the budget segment.
The key trends that Poco X3 has set are:
- 📈 120Hz displays have become the standard for all subsequent models POCO (except for the most budgetary).
- 🔋 Batteries 5000+ mAh is now installed even in entry-level smartphones.
- 🎮 The game focus: all new models POCO They are described as “productive” or “gaming".
- 💰 Aggressive pricing: POCO Continues to undermine the market, offering characteristics upwards for the same price.
However, there were negative consequences, for example, after the Poco X3, many users began to expect revolutionary improvements from each new POCO smartphone, which led to disappointment when more modest updates were released (for example, the Poco X3 GT with the MediaTek Dimensity 1100 processor did not meet the expectations of some fans of the brand).
It is also worth noting that the Poco X3 was the last model to retain a 3.5 mm audio jack in the main line of POCO. Beginning with the Poco X4 Pro (2022), the company abandoned it in favor of a thin body.
Where to buy the Poco X3 in 2026 and is it worth it?
At the time of writing (2026), the Xiaomi Poco X3 is officially retired, but it can still be found in the secondary market.
- 🛒 Avito/Yula: Prices from 8000 to 15 000 ₽ depending on the condition and configuration.
- 🌍 AliExpress: New devices from China (possible fakes!) at a price of 12,000-18000 ₽.
- 🔄 Service centers: sometimes sell refurbished machines with a warranty (~10 000 ₽).
Critically, when buying a used Poco X3, be sure to check the battery status through the AccuBattery app or engineering menu. Capacity below 70% of the original (~3600 mAh) indicates severe wear and tear - such a smartphone will not last long.
Should you buy a Poco X3 today? The answer depends on your goals.
- ✅ Yes, if you need an inexpensive smartphone for calls, social networks and easy games.
- ❌ Not if you plan to play modern games (like Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal) – Snapdragon processor 732G They are no longer in high gear.
Correction of all buttons and connectors|Screen state (are there no "broken" pixels)|Battery capacity (not less than 80%)|Camera and fingerprint scanner|Original charging (33 W)-->
Alternatives in 2026:
- 🆕 Poco X5 Pro (~25 000 ₽) — current model with Snapdragon 778G and AMOLED-screen.
- 💰 Redmi Note 12 Pro (~22 000 ₽) — Better balance of price and opportunity.
- 🎮 Poco F5 (~30 000 ₽) — For those who want maximum productivity.