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Poco X3 NFC Camera test: Attractive budget option

103
camera
This device has been tested in 2021. Please note that the score and contents below refer to an older Camera test protocol.
OTHER AVAILABLE TESTS FOR THIS DEVICE

The Poco X3 NFC is gaming-oriented mid-range device from the Xiaomi-owned brand. As the name suggests, it comes with a NFC (near field communication) module that allows contactless payments and similar applications, but the X3 NFC has a lot more to offer, especially when considering its aggressive price point.

It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 732G chipset and features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate as well as a massive 5160 mAh battery with fast-charging capabilities.

In the camera department, a 64 MP primary camera is coupled with a 13 MP ultra-wide. A 2 MP macro cam and a depth sensor for bokeh simulation complete the camera array. Let’s see how the combo performs in our DXOMARK Camera tests.

Key camera specifications:

  • Primary: Sony IMX 682 64 MP 1/1.73″ sensor, 1.6μm, 26 mm-equivalent f/1.89-aperture lens
  • Ultra-wide: 13 MP sensor, 16 mm-equivalent f/2.2-aperture lens, 119° field of view
  • Macro: 2 MP sensor, 1.75μm, f/2.4-aperture lens
  • Depth: 2 MP sensor, 1.75μm, f/2.4-aperture lens
  • LED flash
  • 2160p/30 fps, 1080p/30 fps

About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. This article is designed to highlight the most important results of our testing. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, click here. More details on how we score smartphone cameras are available here.

Test summary


POCO X3 NFC
103
camera
107
Photo
72

111

93

107

85

109

89

111

64

102

62

77

35

82

50

80

49

80

45
Zoom
54

140

30

58

98
Video
68

118

82

107

75

109

77

99

93

105

78

85

88

103

Pros

  • Nice skin tones
  • Good detail on portraits
  • Fast autofocus in bright outdoor light and indoors
  • Good detail on faces in night portraits
  • Good subject exposure in auto-flash portraits
  • Effective video stabilization when holding camera still
  • Accurate white balance in outdoor videos

Cons

  • Limited dynamic range in outdoor scenes
  • Focus failures in low light
  • Color casts in all light conditions
  • Image noise in all conditions
  • Underexposes in ultra-wide high-contrast scenes and in low-light videos
  • Exposure and autofocus instabilities in videos

With an overall score of 103, the Poco X3 NFC is located towards the bottom of the DXOMARK Camera ranking. However, it’s also one of the most affordable devices we have tested, and other phones on a similar performance level, such as the iPhone SE (2020) (103), the Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G (98), and the Oppo Find X2 Neo (105) will all require a more substantial investment than the Poco.

The Poco X3 NFC is capable of capturing nice images in the right conditions but can struggle slightly when things get more challenging.

The X3 NFC’s camera is capable of capturing good still images in conditions that are not too challenging, and its Photo score of 107 is on a similar level as higher-priced models. In the Zoom department, the Poco scores a fairly low 45, which is predominantly due to the lack of a dedicated tele-lens and the resulting low-quality zoom images. Video shooters will appreciate the fairly effective stabilization in static shooting and accurate outdoor white balance, which earned the device a Video score of 98.

While the Poco X3 NFC cannot compete with most flagship phones and its camera leaves some room for improvement, overall it looks like a good option for smartphone photographers on a budget.

Below you can find a detailed analysis and image samples for all Photo, Zoom, and Video sub-attributes, as well as comparisons with two of the Poco X3 NFC’s competitors, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro.

Photo

The Poco X3 NFC achieves a Photo score of 107. In this section, we take a closer look at each sub-attribute and compare image quality against competitors.

Exposure and Contrast

POCO X3 NFC

72

111

Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (111)

In these tests we analyze target exposure, contrast, and dynamic range, including repeatability across a series of images. Tests are undertaken in a wide range of light conditions, including backlit scenes and low light down to 1 lux. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s exposure performance in daylight compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, highlight clipping
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, better highlight preservation
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, better highlight preservation

Color

POCO X3 NFC

93

107

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (107)

In these tests we analyze color rendering, skin tones, white balance, and color shading, including repeatability across a series of images. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s color performance in low light compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, strong orange cast
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, more neutral color
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, more neutral color

Autofocus

POCO X3 NFC

85

109

Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
Best: Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders (109)

In these tests we analyze autofocus accuracy and shooting time, including repeatability, in the lab. We test focus failures, depth of field, and tracking of moving subjects using perceptual analysis of real-life images.

This graph shows the Poco X3 NFC’s autofocus performance in the lab at a light level of 20 lux and a brightness range of 4 EV.

Autofocus performance in low light (20 lux) conditions with 4 EV brightness range: some focus inaccuracies are visible

Texture

POCO X3 NFC

89

111

Xiaomi Mi 11
Best: Xiaomi Mi 11 (111)

In these tests we analyze texture on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s texture performance in outdoor light compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, portrait
Poco X3 NFC, crop: good detail
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, portrait
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, crop: good detail
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, portrait
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, crop: slight loss of detail

This graph shows the Poco X3 NFC’s texture measurements in the lab.

Texture comparison: texture drops off in low light.

Noise

POCO X3 NFC

64

102

Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (102)

In these tests we analyze noise on faces and objects, including objects in motion, in a range of light conditions, using several lab test setups and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s noise performance in low light compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, low light
Poco X3 NFC, crop: coarse noise in the corners
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, low light
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, crop: less noise
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, low light
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, crop: less noise

Bokeh

POCO X3 NFC

50

80

Huawei P50 Pro
Best: Huawei P50 Pro (80)

For these tests we switch to the camera’s bokeh or portrait mode and analyze depth estimation, bokeh shape, blur gradient, and repeatability, as well as all other general image quality attributes mentioned above. The score is derived from perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s bokeh simulation in daylight compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, natural bokeh effect
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, natural bokeh effect
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, natural bokeh effect

Night

POCO X3 NFC

35

82

Huawei Mate 40 Pro+
Best: Huawei Mate 40 Pro+ (82)

In these tests we shoot a selection of images in pitch-black darkness as well as with city lights in the background providing some illumination. We shoot sample images with the camera at default settings in both flash-auto and flash-off modes. We analyze all image quality attributes but we pay particular attention to exposure, autofocus, and color. We do not test night modes that have to be activated manually.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s night performance in flash-off mode compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, flash-off: underexposure
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, flash-off: good target exposure
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, flash-off: good target exposure

Artifacts

POCO X3 NFC

62

77

Google Pixel 6
Best: Google Pixel 6 (77)

In these tests we check images for optical artifacts such as vignetting, flare, lens softness in the corner, distortion, and chromatic aberrations, as well as for processing artifacts such as ghosting and fusion errors, hue shift, and ringing.

This sample shows fusion artifacts in a low-light image.

Poco X3 NFC, artifacts
Poco X3 NFC, crop: fusion artifacts

Preview

POCO X3 NFC

49

80

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (80)

In these tests we analyze the image quality of the preview image and the differences between preview images and captured images, particularly in terms of exposure, dynamic range, and bokeh effect. We also check the smoothness of the field-of-view changes on the preview image when zooming with both buttons or when using the pinch-zoom gesture.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s preview performance in an indoor setting.

Poco X3 NFC, preview: similar exposure to capture
Poco X3 NFC, final image: similar exposure to preview

Zoom

The Poco X3 NFC achieves a Zoom score of 45. The Zoom score includes the tele and wide sub-scores. In this section, we take a closer look at how these sub-scores were achieved and compare zoom image quality against the competitors.

Wide

POCO X3 NFC

30

58

Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (58)

In these tests we analyze the performance of the ultra-wide camera at several focal lengths from 12 to 20 mm. We look at all image quality attributes, but we pay particular attention to such artifacts as chromatic aberrations, lens softness, and distortion.

These samples show the performance of the Poco X3 NFC’s ultra-wide camera in daylight conditions compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, ultra-wide: slight underexposure
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, ultra-wide: good exposure
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, ultra-wide: good exposure

Tele

POCO X3 NFC

54

140

Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (140)

In these tests we analyze all image quality attributes at focal lengths from approximately 40 to 300 mm, paying particular attention to texture and detail. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life images.

These samples show the Poco X3 NFC’s and its competitors’ tele performance in the lab at 1000 lux and using a medium zoom setting.

Poco X3 NFC, medium-range zoom, 1000 lux
Poco X3 NFC, crop: lack of detail
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, medium-range zoom, 1000 lux
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, crop: decent detail
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, medium-range zoom, 1000 lux
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, crop: lack of detail

Video

In our Video tests we analyze the same image quality attributes as for still images, such as exposure, color, texture or noise, but we also include such temporal aspects as speed, and smoothness and stability of exposure, white balance and autofocus transitions.

NOTE: The sample video clips in this section are best viewed at 4K resolution

The Poco X3 NFC achieves a Video score of 98. A device’s overall Video score is derived from its performance and results across a range of attributes in the same way as the Photo score. In this section, we take a closer look at these sub-scores and compare video image quality against competitors.

Exposure and Contrast

POCO X3 NFC

68

118

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (118)

These video stills show the Poco X3 NFC’s video exposure in low light compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, video still, underexposed subject
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, video still, slightly underexposed subject
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, video still, underexposed subject

Color

POCO X3 NFC

82

107

Honor Magic4 Ultimate
Best: Honor Magic4 Ultimate (107)

These video stills show the Poco X3 NFC’s video color in low light compared to the competition.

Poco X3 NFC, video still, pink cast
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, acceptable warm cast
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, video still, acceptable warm cast

Autofocus

POCO X3 NFC

75

109

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (109)

These sample clips show the Poco X3 NFC’s video autofocus performance in low light.

Poco X3 NFC, autofocus instabilities in low light
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, slight autofocus instabilities
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, smooth autofocus transitions

Texture

POCO X3 NFC

77

99

Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
Best: Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon) (99)

This graph shows the Poco X3 NFC’s video texture measurements in the lab.

Video texture comparison: low levels of detail in most light conditions

Noise

POCO X3 NFC

93

105

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (105)

These sample clips show the Poco X3 NFC’s video noise performance in low light.

Poco X3 NFC, strong noise in low light
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, some noise in low light
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, slight noise in low light

Artifacts

POCO X3 NFC

78

85

Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Best: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (85)

For video artifacts, we check for the same kinds of artifacts mentioned in the Photo section, along with such video-specific artifacts as frame rate variation in different light conditions, judder effect, and moving artifacts (artifacts such as aliasing, color quantization, and flare can often be more intrusive when moving than in a still image).

This video still shows a hue shift close to clipped areas in the brighter background of the video.

Xiaomi Poco F3 NFC, video still
Xiaomi Poco F3 NFC, crop: hue shift in the background

Stabilization

POCO X3 NFC

88

103

Vivo X70 Pro+
Best: Vivo X70 Pro+ (103)

In these tests we analyze residual motion when handholding the camera during recording, as well as when walking and running with the camera. We also look for stabilization artifacts such as jello effect, sharpness differences between frames, and frame shift (abrupt changes of framing).

This sample clip shows the Poco X3 NFC’s video stabilization in outdoor conditions.

Poco X3 NFC, ineffective stabilization, sharpness differences between frames
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, some residual motion
Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, some residual motion

In the Press

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