Smartphone Comparison: Motorola Moto G 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco F3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | Poco F3 is noticeably slimmer and slightly shorter; the Moto G 5G will feel bulkier in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 196g | Poco F3 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Minimal size difference, negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide crisp text and images. |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Practically indistinguishable in clarity. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F3 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes, better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F3 offers smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming; Moto G 5G might feel less responsive in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F3 is significantly brighter and much more visible in direct sunlight; Moto G 5G brightness data is missing, but the POCO F3 is dramatically better. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G | Snapdragon 870 5G | Poco F3 provides significantly faster performance for demanding apps and games and is much smoother for daily tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 800,216 | Poco F3 provides a much more fluid experience and is better suited for intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 | Poco F3 delivers superior graphics performance, which is crucial for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4520mAh | Moto G 5G has a slightly larger battery, which may provide marginally longer usage between charges, though this is dependent on use-case. |
| Charging | 20W | 33W | Poco F3 charges faster, reducing the wait time to a full charge. |
| Charging Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries are generally more durable and have better life-cycles, though the practical implications are nuanced and based on use-case. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/1.7 | 48MP f/1.79 | Moto G 5G has a slightly wider aperture and may perform a bit better in low light conditions. The Poco F3 uses the well regarded Sony IMX582 sensor which provides high quality images. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.2 | 20MP f/2.45 | Poco F3 captures higher resolution selfies; Moto G 5G has a wider aperture which may be better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | Not Present | Moto G 5G provides a wider field of view for group photos and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Present | Moto G 5G enables close-up photography of small objects; though low resolution. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@960fps | Poco F3 has better video recording with the ability to record in slow-motion up to 960 fps; Both offer similar standard quality recording capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Poco F3 has a newer OS, and is guaranteed to receive additional upgrades, providing more new features and better security over time. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco F3 supports newer Wi-Fi standard, enabling faster speeds and more stable connections on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, EDR, A2DP) | 5.1 (LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC, A2DP) | Poco F3 supports more audio codecs, improving Bluetooth audio quality on compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | Poco F3 offers more precise location tracking with better support for satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F3 offers more storage options for your files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | Poco F3 has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and better performance on more demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage; users should choose a storage option that is suitable for their needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 offers better audio experience with enhanced spatial audio and better sound output for multimedia consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side mounted is generally more ergonomic. Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F3 offers better screen protection from scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both offer comprehensive sensor suites suitable for advanced features and gaming, slight variations in Proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer slightly longer battery life, though the impact is nuanced.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens and Macro Lens: Offers more flexibility in photography, although the macro lens is low-resolution.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: May have a slight edge in low-light performance on the main sensor.
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, smoother animations, and better brightness.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset is much more powerful, providing a smoother experience in all tasks including gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is faster than 20W, reducing wait times.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers more storage and RAM for users who need more space for their files and apps.
- Better Audio: Offers superior sound quality with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and Hi-Res Audio.
- More Advanced Connectivity: WiFi 6 support for faster and more stable wireless connections, plus more Bluetooth audio codecs.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects against scratches.
- More OS Updates: Guaranteed Android 13 update.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola Moto G 5G: The trade-off is the relatively lower performance, lower quality screen, and slower charging compared to the Poco F3.
- Xiaomi Poco F3: The trade-off is a slightly smaller battery and a lack of a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G:
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a larger screen without needing top performance.
- Users who occasionally use the wide-angle or macro lens for casual photography.
- Users who don't do heavy gaming or intensive tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media.
- Casual photography with the occasional use of the wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Users who prefer less frequent charging cycles, though the slightly lower battery life on the Poco F3 would have to be confirmed through hands-on testing.
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User:
- Users who value performance, a high-quality display, and fast charging for a better overall user experience.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Users who enjoy consuming multimedia content on their phone.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy gaming and demanding application use.
- Watching videos, movies, and other multimedia content.
- Users who need fast charging to quickly top up their device.
- Users who enjoy high-quality audio.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3 is a clear winner in terms of price-to-performance and features, offering a lot more value for the money. Its AMOLED display, faster processor, and more advanced features, make it a better investment than the Moto G 5G.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If you prioritize color accuracy, contrast, and smoothness, the Poco F3's AMOLED 120Hz screen is a must.
- What are your performance needs? If you plan to game or run demanding apps, the Poco F3's Snapdragon 870 is essential.
- How much do you value camera versatility vs. display and performance? The Moto G 5G offers a wide-angle and macro lens, while the Poco F3 prioritizes display quality and speed.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget User: If your budget is very tight and you primarily need a phone for basic use, the Moto G 5G might suffice, though the Poco F3 provides much better value overall.
- Scenario 2: Performance User: If you need a powerful phone for gaming or demanding apps, the Poco F3 is the obvious choice.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia User: If you watch a lot of videos, the Poco F3's AMOLED display, stereo speakers, and Hi-Res Audio will provide a superior experience.
- Scenario 4: Photographer: For wide-angle and macro photo flexibility the Moto G 5G is your only option. For those who prioritize image quality the Poco F3 does offer the more established Sony sensor.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would definitely choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Here's why:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate is a huge upgrade. The vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations make a massive difference in daily usage.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 870 is significantly faster than the Snapdragon 750G, which ensures smoother performance in everything, from web browsing to playing graphically intensive games. The increase in RAM also benefits multitasking.
- Overall Experience: The Poco F3 offers a more premium, responsive experience with faster charging, better audio, and a more secure fingerprint sensor placement, and superior connectivity.
- Longevity: The combination of its screen, processor, and software support (including Android 13) means the Poco F3 will remain useful for longer.
While the Motorola Moto G 5G has a slightly larger battery and extra cameras, the performance and display advantages of the Poco F3 are more crucial for my daily use and general experience. The trade-off of slightly smaller battery and lack of wide-angle/macro lens is acceptable given the significant gains in all other categories, and I believe this is a trade off that would be true of most consumers. The lack of information for brightness of the Moto G 5G also puts it at a disadvantage. The POCO F3 offers better technology overall for a better user experience and will provide far more value to the user.
