POCO has finally unveiled the POCO X2, the first device after the company became its own brand.
However, it’s not the proper successor to the renowned Pocophone F1 from a year ago. Instead, the POCO X2 is a more affordable mid-range device, with a killer feature-set that doesn’t break the bank.
It may not be as powerful as the first Pocophone, but it sure has a lot of features that we never thought we’d see in a sub-Php12k smartphone. Making it as equally as interesting as its older brother.
However, this isn’t the only Xiaomi device in this price category. If you already forgot, we also have the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. Another remarkable smartphone in this league.
If you’re shopping in this price range, our POCO X2 versus Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro specifications and features comparison will help you decide which between these Xiaomi devices is right for you.
POCO X2 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro | |
---|---|---|
Operating System | Android 10 MIUI 11 | Android 9 Pie MIUI 10 |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Hybrid) | Dual SIM Dual Standby |
Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ LCD 2400 x 1080 pixel resolution Corning Gorilla Glass 5 HDR 10 120Hz refresh rate | 6.53-inch IPS 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution ~395ppi Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Processor | 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G octa-core processor | 2.0GHz Mediatek Helio G90T octa-core |
RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB |
GPU | Adreno 618 GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 |
Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB (expandable) | 64GB/128GB expandable via microSD up to 256GB |
Front camera | 20-megapixel 2-megapixel punch-hole front cameras | 20-megapixel f/2.0 |
Rear Camera | 64-megapixel (f/1.9) 8-megapixel (ultra-wide, f/2.2) 2-megapixel (macro) 2-megapixel (depth sensor) rear cameras, PDAF, dual-tone flash | 64-megapixel (f/1.9, PDAF) 8-megapixel (ultra-wide, f/2.2) 2-megapixel (macro) 2-megapixel (depth sensor) PDAF 960fps @ 720p slow-mo LED flash |
Audio | Super Linear Speaker Golden Ears audio experts | Single loudspeaker Headphone jack |
Security | Side-mounted fingerprint scanner | Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner Face unlock |
Connectivity | 4G LTE, VoLTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, MIMO Bluetooth 5.0 dual-band GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BDS, A-GPS Headphone jack USB Type-C | 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, BDS, Galileo, A-GPS USB Type-C |
Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.6 x 8.79mm | 161.4 x 76.4 x 8.8mm |
Weight | 208g | 200g |
Colors | Phoenix Red Atlantis Blue Matrix Purple | Blue Red Black White |
Battery | 4,500mAh 27W charger | 4,500mAh 18W fast charging |
Price | 6GB/64GB: Rs 15,999 (~Php11,500) 6GB/128GB: Rs 16,999 (~Php12,200) 8GB/256GB: Rs 19,999 (~Php14,300) | 6GB/64GB: Php11,490 6GB/128GB: Php12,990 |
Both the POCO X2 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro are equally great devices. They share tons of similarities but they differ in key areas.
The POCO X2 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor. That’s the same chipset found on smartphones that are almost twice its price. However, a lot of benchmarks and performance reviews prove that the MediaTek G90T processor on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro offers a faster and more powerful performance than the former.
It may have an inferior processor, the POCO X2 makes up for it with its advanced display and faster charging technology.
This device comes with a bigger 6.67-inch FHD+ IPS screen, with HDR 10 support, and a whopping 120Hz refresh rate — a feature we never thought we’d see on a budget device like this.
POCO also made a punch-hole cutout for the X2’s dual 20-megapixel and 2-megapixel selfie cameras, while the Redmi Note 8 Pro is stuck with the dewdrop notch for its 20-megapixel selfie snapper.
Another key difference between the two is their charging technologies. While both devices share the same 4,500mAh battery capacity, the Redmi handset has a faster 27W fast charging tech. On the other hand, the POCO X2 comes with a respectable 18W charging tech.
Related
The rest of the specs list are pretty much similar, especially in the camera department.
Both the POCO X2 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro has a quad-camera setup on the back. It starts with the 64-megapixel main shooter, 8-megapixel ultra-wide, 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth sensor.
In-display fingerprint scanners only work on OLED panels. Since both the POCO X2 and the Redmi Note 8 Pro has IPS screens, they’re stuck with the traditional fingerprint scanners.
Although, we liked the cleaner side-mounted implementation on the POCO X2 than the rear placement on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
We’re also seeing an identical set of connectivity features. Both devices support 4G LTE as well as Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi, USB Type-C, and thankfully, a 3.5mm headphone jack.
So, which device should you pick?
If the best possible performance for the price is what you’re after, then the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro might be the one for you. You can check out our full review to learn more about it.
But for everything else, I think the upcoming POCO X2 is the better option. It features a bigger and snappier screen, faster charging support, and unique camera design in the front and back.
Its release details in the Philippines are yet to be announced. So make sure you stay tuned as we’ll be giving you all those information once they become available.