A subsidiary of Chinese Xiaomi, POCO, it surprises again. It brings a very affordable smartphone POCO M3 with Full HD + display, new Snapdragon 662 processor and 6000 mAh battery. All for a price just above € 120.
In the editorial office, we decided to test this smartphone so that we could evaluate for ourselves what equipment it actually offers.
POCO M3: Where to buy?
The latest POCO M3 we tested among the first in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. It was sent to us directly by the manufacturer in black. You can currently order it for the best price from an international seller Banggood.comwhich offers bargain coupons.
POCO M3 Global Version
The package also includes accessories
smartphone POCO M3 will also come to your home in a colorful yellow box of standard dimensions. After unpacking it, there is a paper envelope with accessories right at the top.
It contains a needle for ejecting the memory card / SIM card slot, brief instructions for use and a relatively high-quality clear silicone case to protect the device.
Below is a cable designed for power supply with a modern and universal USB terminal type C. Directly in the package there is also a fast charger with a local European terminal, whose power is up to 22,5W.
Layout of equipment elements: Design and construction
Even at first glance, the smartphone looks quite powerful. However, it is not only about the low price and the polycarbonate body, but especially about the large battery that is included. A smartphone from the brand's workshop POCO does not include certification of increased resistance to water and dust.
The dimensions of this device were stopped at 162,3 x 77,3 x 9,6 millimeters. Its weight is then 198 grams, which is understandable given the battery, which has a capacity of up to 6000 mAh.
The front contains a large, up to 6,53 ″ display with a relatively thick bottom frame and a drop-shaped cutout. However, this is nothing special in this price category. Above the display there is a speaker for telephony, but also a group of sensors.
On the left side edge there is only a slot for inserting a pair of nanoSIM cards resp. microSD memory card. The right side offers plastic volume buttons and a fingerprint reader, which also serves as a button to turn the device on / off.
USB type C and three rear cameras
At the bottom of the device is a primary microphone designed for telephony, which has an average quality. There is also a modern and universal USB type C connector with USB OTG function and reverse cable charging function. There is also the first of a pair of loud speakers that have good sound reproduction quality.
The upper edge contains a traditional 3,5 mm audio connector for connecting wired headphones, a secondary microphone for video recording, for example, a second speaker (stereo) speaker and an infrared port for controlling home electronics, which is also supplemented by the appropriate software.
On the back of the plastic with a matte finish and fine patterning, there is a glossy module with cameras. It is located in the upper part and, in addition to the three cameras, also includes an LED flash and a rather prominent manufacturer's logo POCO.
Display: Surprise Full HD + IPS panel
smartphone POCO M3 includes up to 6,53 ″ IPS panel with 19,5: 9 aspect ratio. In this price category, we are usually used to the average HD + panel, which is why it is a very pleasant surprise to use a good Full HD + panel (2340 x 1080 pixels) with a brightness of up to 400 nits.
As for the automatic brightness, it worked exemplary and without problems. The sensors needed for this and other functions are hidden in slightly thicker frames. The minimum brightness was fine even in a dark room, and the maximum could be improved by the manufacturer. Deteriorated readability was despite good viewing angles, especially in direct sunlight.
We were very satisfied and pleasantly surprised with the used panel. As far as protection is concerned, the manufacturer has used Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and a protective film is also affixed directly to the display.
Performance: New Snapdragon 662 processor
In terms of performance, the manufacturer built on a new product from Qualcomm's workshop. It is a new eight-core processor (4 x 2,0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4 x 1,8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) middle class and marked Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, made by 11 nm technology.
The processor is also complemented by the Adreno 610 graphics accelerator, which will help especially with more graphically demanding game titles. The responses of the smartphone were exemplary and relatively fast. The mid-range processor could have been a compromise in this case, but it didn't show up in standard everyday use.
Memory: 4 GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage
We received a version in the configuration of 4 GB RAM + 128 GB internal storage type UFS 2.2 for testing. However, there is also a cheaper variant on sale in the configuration of 4 GB RAM + 64 GB internal storage of the UFS 2.1 type.
When it comes to device responses, four gigabytes of RAM is definitely a good choice, and the smartphone was able to work with simple multitasking. However, with about a dozen applications open, the smartphone breathed a little and you had to close the applications or wait a few seconds for a response.
After the first start-up, the operating system, together with the superstructure from the manufacturer, saves approximately 13 GB of storage space. However, the storage can be expanded with a microSD memory card.
Fingerprint reader
The security of logging in to the device is solved in this smartphone by a standard capacitive fingerprint reader, which is located in the right side edge of the device, specifically in the button for turning on / off the device.
Compared to its more expensive siblings, who offer an optical sensor under the display, this capacitive sensor is very fast and we did not notice a problem unlocking the device. The sensor even handled a slight grease and moisture on the fingers.
Android 10 + MIUI a POCO Launcher
The current Android 10 operating system (QKQ1.200830.002) is available in terms of software. The security level of the system, ie the security package from Google, was current as of October 01.10.2020, XNUMX. Only the November security update is missing.
The current operating system is a very good choice and offers safe and fast operation of the smartphone itself. However, in addition to the operating system, the popular MIUI 12 (12.0.1.0) graphic superstructure is also available, which also includes a slightly modified POCO Launcher. During testing, we even received an update to the MIUI 12 version (12.0.5.0).
The system as such responded relatively quickly and may be due in particular to the appropriate optimization from the manufacturer and sufficient RAM. Among the practical functions we must definitely include a sophisticated dark mode of the system with the possibility of scheduling.
In addition, a very useful element is the menu with applications, which can be arranged alphabetically. In its upper part, it contains recently used applications and several categories according to which the system itself sorts your applications.
We've also used an updated and separate shortcut and notification center, which needs to be turned on in settings. An older version known from other Xiaomi smartphones has been active here since production.
Camera: Decent 48 MPx results
We didn't have high expectations for the camera. After all, a device with a price easily over 100 € cannot be compared with the top and even the upper middle class of smartphones. Nevertheless, we must state that POCO he has nothing to be ashamed of.
The equipment includes three rear cameras, which are housed in a glossy and protruding module. The main one is the well-known 48 MPx sensor (f / 1.8) with PDAF focusing, HDR and good results in natural daylight.
This sensor is also supplemented by a secondary 2 MPx (f / 2.4) macro sensor and a 2 MPx (f / 2.4) depth sensor, which has the task of effectively blurring the background or. bokeh effect. There is no lack of video recording up to 1080p (30 fps), the front camera is located in a cutout in the display and has a basic resolution of 8 MPx.
Full-size original photos are available at the following link.
Despite its low price, however, it is a surprisingly usable camera and, in addition to daylight, it can create a usable photo even in poor lighting conditions, at sunset or in the dark. The quality of Full HD video is a bit worse, especially in terms of the lack of stabilization. However, we did not expect better results.
Connectivity: Missing 5G and NFC
Unfortunately, in terms of connectivity, we must mention a few compromises. We did not expect a modern 5G connection in this price category, so you will have to rely on 4G channels with support for LTE-A technology (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41).
The equipment of this smartphone does not include an NFC chip for quick pairing of accessories. As a result, you can't make mobile payments with this device, for example, through Google Pay. This is definitely a pity and must be taken into account before purchasing.
On the other hand, Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac with Wi-Fi Direct technology support is not missing. It will please Bluetooth 5.0 LE with support for A2DP technology, but also GPS + A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS or an infrared port for controlling home electronics.
Rock fans will enjoy the 3,5 mm audio connector for connecting standard wired headphones, which will also serve as an antenna to the FM radio. You will find this functionality directly integrated in the device. We must also highlight a pair of loud speakers, which are a pleasant surprise, especially when playing multimedia content.
Battery life: Powerful 6000 mAh
The category in which this cheap smartphone definitely excels is the integrated battery or. the resulting endurance of the device per charge. There is a battery with a total capacity of up to 6000 mAh with support for fast 18W charging. You can do this via the modern and universal USB type C connector.
We did not expect wireless charging in this price category, but we were pleasantly surprised by the function of reverse cable charging. You can also use a smartphone with such a large battery as a power bank. All you need is a cable with a USB type C connector and a connector to another device.
Battery life is really good, despite the Full HD + panel used. Proper optimization and the economical Qualcomm mid-range processor have ensured that, with standard use, you can achieve both peaceful and full two days on a single charge.
On the second afternoon, the smartphone reported to us 25% and the residual endurance was approximately at the level of approximately 13 hours. Full use during the working day in our case included active use of social networks and document editing, hourly telephoning, hourly watching of Full HD videos, as well as hourly listening to podcasts and occasional photography or playing mobile games.
Price and availability of a smartphone
smartphone POCO M3 despite its attractive equipment, it is very low in terms of selling price. In the offer of popular international sellers, the price of this device is at the level of 110-130 €, depending on the action.
POCO M3 Global Version
Final rating: POCO M3
Our review POCO The M3 is at the end and we can say that the smartphone was a pleasant surprise. When we first look at a device in this price category, we would mainly consider using it as a secondary smartphone, a smartphone for the undemanding, the first mobile phone for children or as a spare phone for the whole family.
However, after thorough testing, we found that POCO M3 offers more and is proof that even at a low price you can get a full-fledged smartphone for everyday use. The big pluses are the FullHD + display, the latest Snapdragon processor, which even belongs to the middle class, a huge battery with reverse charging and, of course, the price.
We believe that the manufacturer will improve the fluidity of the system with new updates over time, which will POCO The M3 will become almost unbeatable at the given price.
