The smartphone industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with manufacturers offering feature-rich devices at competitive prices. Among the contenders in the budget 5G segment, the POCO M6 5G and Lava Blaze 3 5G stand out as compelling options. Both phones target users looking for the best balance between price and performance, but how do they stack up against each other? In this in-depth comparison, we will analyze the design, display, performance, camera, battery, software, and other critical aspects of these two budget 5G smartphones to help you make an informed choice.
Design and Build Quality
POCO M6 5G:
POCO has built a reputation for offering solidly built devices with a touch of flair, and the POCO M6 5G follows suit. The device features a sleek plastic back panel with a matte finish that feels comfortable in hand and offers a good grip. The signature POCO branding on the rear adds a trendy element. Available in dynamic colors like Power Black and Electric Blue, the POCO M6 5G strikes a balance between style and sturdiness. The device is relatively light at 190 grams and has an IP52 rating, providing basic protection against water splashes and dust.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
Lava, on the other hand, delivers a more minimalistic design with the Blaze 3 5G. The device features a glossy glass-like finish on the back, which elevates the premium feel of the phone despite being a budget offering. The Blaze 3 5G offers a slim profile and comes in bold colors like Midnight Black and Fiery Red. While the glass-like finish adds aesthetic appeal, it is more prone to fingerprints and smudges. However, its build quality feels sturdy, and the slightly curved edges provide a good grip. At 195 grams, it’s marginally heavier than the POCO M6 5G, but still comfortable for extended use.
Design & Build Quality Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 190 grams | 195 grams |
| Finish | Matte plastic with POCO branding | Glossy glass-like finish |
| Colors | Power Black, Electric Blue | Midnight Black, Fiery Red |
| Build | Plastic with IP52 rating | Plastic with glass-like finish |
| Durability | Splash and dust-resistant | More prone to smudges, no IP rating |
Display
POCO M6 5G:
The POCO M6 5G sports a 6.58-inch IPS LCD with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and navigation smooth. With a pixel density of 401 PPI, the images and text appear sharp and clear, delivering a satisfying viewing experience. The phone supports Widevine L1 certification, meaning you can stream HD content from platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Brightness levels peak at 500 nits, which is decent for indoor use but might struggle under direct sunlight.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
The Lava Blaze 3 5G features a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display, which is slightly smaller than POCO’s offering. It comes with an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, which falls short compared to the POCO M6 5G’s Full HD+ resolution. However, the Blaze 3 5G compensates with good color reproduction and brightness, peaking at 450 nits. Although it lacks the higher refresh rate, the display still provides a smooth and responsive experience for everyday use. The lack of Full HD+ resolution may be noticeable when watching high-definition content.
Display Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.58-inch | 6.52-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+) | 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+) |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 450 nits |
| Display Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 269 PPI |
| HDR Support | No | No |
Performance and Hardware
POCO M6 5G:
Under the hood, the POCO M6 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, a popular choice for budget 5G phones. It’s built on a 7nm process, ensuring efficiency and solid performance in everyday tasks. The octa-core processor (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is paired with Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, providing a smooth experience for gaming and multitasking. The device is available in two variants: 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, with the option to expand storage via a dedicated microSD slot.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
The Lava Blaze 3 5G comes equipped with the Unisoc T610 chipset, which, while not as powerful as the Dimensity 700, is a competent performer in its own right. The octa-core processor (2×1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) is paired with the Mali-G52 GPU, offering decent performance for daily activities. However, the chipset might struggle with more graphics-intensive games or apps. The device is available in one variant: 4GB RAM + 128GB storage, which is expandable via microSD.
Performance & Hardware Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 700 | Unisoc T610 |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB |
| Expandable Storage | Yes (up to 1TB) | Yes (up to 512GB) |
| Chipset Process | 7nm | 12nm |
Camera Setup
POCO M6 5G:
The POCO M6 5G features a dual-camera setup at the back, with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The 50MP camera captures good detail in well-lit conditions, offering vibrant colors and sharp images. However, in low-light conditions, the performance drops, with noticeable noise and grain. The 2MP depth sensor aids in portrait shots, offering decent background blur. For selfies, the phone has a 5MP front camera, which is sufficient for video calls and casual selfies, but not impressive in terms of detail or dynamic range.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
Lava Blaze 3 5G also offers a dual-camera setup, with a 13MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. While the 13MP camera performs adequately in daylight, it cannot match the detail and sharpness offered by POCO’s 50MP sensor. The images tend to lack vibrancy, and low-light photography is below average, with noticeable noise. The 8MP front camera is slightly better than POCO’s 5MP camera, offering clearer selfies with better dynamic range.
Camera Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera Setup | 50MP + 2MP | 13MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| Video Recording | 1080p @ 30fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
| Night Mode | Yes | No |
| Portrait Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie Quality | Average | Good |
Battery Life and Charging
POCO M6 5G:
The POCO M6 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which can easily last a full day with moderate usage, thanks to the efficiency of the Dimensity 700 chipset. The phone supports 18W fast charging, which, while not the fastest, is decent for a phone in this price range. The device also comes with a USB Type-C port, which is a welcome standard for faster data transfer and charging.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
Lava Blaze 3 5G also packs a 5000mAh battery, providing similar endurance. The device supports 15W charging, which is slightly slower compared to POCO’s 18W. However, the battery life remains solid, capable of lasting an entire day with regular use. Like the POCO M6 5G, it also features a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
Battery Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh |
| Fast Charging | 18W | 15W |
| Charging Port | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| Battery Life | 1.5 days on moderate use | 1.5 days on moderate use |
Software and User Interface
POCO M6 5G:
The POCO M6 5G runs on MIUI 13 based on Android 12. MIUI offers a feature-rich experience with a wide array of customization options, themes, and gestures. However, the user interface may feel bloated due to the presence of pre-installed apps and occasional ads. Despite this, MIUI is well-optimized, providing smooth navigation and transitions. POCO also regularly updates its software, ensuring that users receive timely security patches and new features.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
The Lava Blaze 3 5G runs a near-stock version of Android 12, which is a big advantage for users who prefer a clean and clutter-free user experience. There is minimal bloatware, and the interface is easy to navigate. The downside is that Lava’s track record with software updates isn’t as strong as POCO’s, so users may have to wait longer for updates. Nevertheless, the near-stock experience is lightweight and quick, offering smooth performance even with lower-end hardware.
Software Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| OS Version | Android 12 (MIUI 13) | Android 12 (Stock-like) |
| Bloatware | Yes | Minimal |
| Customization | Extensive | Limited |
| Updates Frequency | Regular | Occasional |
Connectivity and Other Features
POCO M6 5G:
POCO M6 5G comes equipped with a variety of connectivity options, including 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. The device also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security, which is fast and reliable. It supports dual-SIM functionality, and both slots are 5G enabled, making it future-proof as 5G networks continue to roll out globally.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
The Lava Blaze 3 5G also supports dual 5G SIMs, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, and Bluetooth 5.0. However, it lacks NFC support, which might be a dealbreaker for some users who rely on contactless payments. The fingerprint sensor is rear-mounted and provides decent performance, though not as fast as the side-mounted one on the POCO M6 5G.
Connectivity & Other Features Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 5G Support | Yes (dual SIM 5G) | Yes (dual SIM 5G) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Rear-mounted |
Price and Availability
POCO M6 5G:
Priced competitively, the POCO M6 5G is available at around ₹12,999 for the base 4GB RAM variant and ₹14,999 for the 6GB RAM variant. Given the features it offers, including 5G support, a high-refresh-rate display, and a capable camera, it provides great value for money.
Lava Blaze 3 5G:
The Lava Blaze 3 5G is priced slightly lower, starting at ₹11,499 for the 4GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. While it doesn’t match POCO in terms of raw specifications, its clean Android experience and decent performance make it a strong competitor in the budget 5G space.
Price Comparison:
| Features | POCO M6 5G | Lava Blaze 3 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Base Variant Price | ₹12,999 | ₹11,499 |
| Higher Variant | ₹14,999 | N/A |
Conclusion: POCO M6 5G vs Lava Blaze 3 5G
Both the POCO M6 5G and Lava Blaze 3 5G are solid options in the budget 5G segment, but they cater to slightly different audiences. If you’re looking for a phone with better performance, a higher resolution display, and faster charging, the POCO M6 5G is the better choice. It offers a more well-rounded package with MIUI’s feature-rich environment and excellent hardware.
However, if you prioritize a clean and minimalistic software experience and are willing to compromise on camera and display quality, the Lava Blaze 3 5G provides good value for money at a lower price point. It’s an ideal option for users who want a simple, reliable phone with 5G support and decent battery life without the bloatware or cluttered interface.
In the end, your choice between the POCO M6 5G and Lava Blaze 3 5G will depend on your personal preferences, especially regarding software experience, performance, and design. Both devices offer great value in the competitive budget 5G market, making it a win-win situation for consumers.
