Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi 12 and the Poco F6. As a tech journalist who appreciates the nitty-gritty, I'll be focusing on what these specs mean for you, the user, rather than just spitting out numbers.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison, highlighting the real-world implications of each specification:
| Feature | Xiaomi 12 | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm, 179g | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm, 179g | Poco F6 is larger and slightly wider, but same weight; The F6 feels more substantial in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.28" | 6.67" | Poco F6 offers a larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1220 x 2712 | Poco F6 provides sharper visuals with significantly higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density | 419 ppi | 446 ppi | The Poco F6 will appear slightly sharper than the Xiaomi 12, although both are excellent |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and fluid animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2400 nits | Poco F6 is much brighter, significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Poco F6 is significantly faster for gaming and heavy apps due to newer chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,150,831 | 1,530,662 | Poco F6 scores 33% higher, meaning snappier performance all-around. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 735 | Poco F6 has a newer GPU for improved gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2", Sony IMX882 | Xiaomi 12 boasts a larger sensor, slightly better in low light, Poco F6 has a wider aperture for low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1 | 20MP, f/2.0, Omnivision OV20B | Xiaomi 12 has a higher-resolution selfie camera |
| Wide Angle | 13MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" , Sony IMX355 | Xiaomi 12 has a higher-resolution wide-angle lens, Poco F6 has wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Xiaomi 12 has a dedicated macro lens, Poco F6 doesn't. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Xiaomi 12 shoots in 8K; Poco F6 slightly lower maximum resolution. Both have EIS. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 113; Photo: 118; Video: 121 | N/A | Xiaomi 12 has been tested; Poco F6 has no publicly available test scores. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, OIS, RAW | Dual Camera, OIS, Flicker Sensor, Noise reduction | Xiaomi 12 has more camera lenses and RAW capabilities; Poco F6 has noise reduction, flicker sensor, and a dual camera system. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Poco F6 offers longer battery life due to a larger capacity. |
| Charging | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 90W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Poco F6 charges faster with 90W, Both support fast charging. |
| Features | 50W Wireless, Reverse Charging | No additional features | Xiaomi 12 supports Wireless Charging and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 (upgradeable to 17) | Poco F6 comes with the latest Android version with promised long term updates and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Poco F6 has a newer version of Bluetooth, may have slightly better power efficiency. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | More Satellite Systems | Xiaomi 12 offers more satellite navigation options for more precise location tracking |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Poco F6 has larger internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both have excellent ram for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No support for expandable storage on either phone. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics, Dolby Atmos | Stereo Speakers, 4 Mics, Dolby Atmos | Poco F6 offers superior spatial audio capture and playback with a higher number of mics. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both provide basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer similar screen protection with Corning's best. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi 12 Strengths:
- Premium Compact Design: Its smaller size makes it comfortable for one-handed use.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera The 32MP selfie shooter is excellent for high-resolution selfie enthusiasts.
- 8K Video Recording For videographers, the 8k capture capabilities of this phone make it more appealing.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Adds versatility and convenience.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: The 1/1.56" sensor size in the main camera offers enhanced light gathering capabilities.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: A dedicated macro lens adds versatility to the camera system.
Poco F6 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and higher Antutu score ensure a faster and smoother experience for gaming and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: The 2400-nit screen makes it ideal for outdoor use.
- Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: The 90W charging quickly powers up the device.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers up to 512GB internal storage.
- Wider Aperture Camera: The f/1.6 aperture of the Poco F6 Main Camera provides enhanced light gathering capabilities.
- Better Audio Recording: 4 microphone setup for enhanced audio in videos and calls
- Flicker Sensor and Noise Reduction: Features such as a flicker sensor and noise reduction offer an upgraded camera experience.
- Lower starting price: The Poco F6 offers better value due to its lower starting price
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Xiaomi 12: Older chipset, lower display brightness, smaller battery, smaller display
- Poco F6: No wireless or reverse charging, lacks a dedicated Macro camera, has a lower resolution selfie camera.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi 12: Best suited for users who prioritize a compact phone with high-resolution selfie and good camera performance in a smaller form factor, and premium features like wireless charging. The users might not play graphically demanding games. This phone is also a great pick for users who appreciate a premium build quality and a smaller form factor.
Poco F6: Designed for performance enthusiasts, gamers, and users who need a bright display and long battery life. Ideal for those who heavily multitask, play demanding games, and need a phone that works well under bright conditions. It is a much better value option in comparison to the Xiaomi 12.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To decide between these two, ask yourself:
- Performance or Convenience? If raw power and gaming performance are your focus, the Poco F6 wins. If you prefer a small premium build with wireless and reverse charging, the Xiaomi 12 is a better fit.
- Outdoor visibility or compactness? If you’re often outdoors, the Poco F6's brighter screen is a must. If you prefer a smaller, more manageable phone, the Xiaomi 12 is better.
- How much do you value long-term software updates? The Poco F6 ships with Android 14 and will receive updates till Android 17.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers: The Poco F6 is a clear winner due to its superior performance and better thermal management.
- For Content Creators (Photo/Video): If you need 8k Video recording and don't need very bright sunlight readability, the Xiaomi 12 is a great option, while if you need high levels of bright sunlight visibility, the Poco F6 is a good choice.
- For Everyday Users: If you prefer a smaller form factor and premium feel, the Xiaomi 12 has you covered, but for most the value for money of the Poco F6 can not be denied.
- For Power Users: If you need longer battery life, high performance, and are comfortable with a larger phone, the Poco F6 is the better choice.
My Choice:
If I had to choose one, I'd lean towards the Xiaomi Poco F6. Here's why: While I appreciate the premium feel and compact size of the Xiaomi 12, the raw performance boost from the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the substantially brighter display, and larger battery of the Poco F6 just can't be ignored. As a tech journalist and frequent mobile user, I prioritize performance, especially for multitasking and gaming on the go, but I also need good outdoor readability for my reviews. The Poco F6 delivers on those fronts, and the lower starting price just makes it an excellent value proposition for me, even without the wireless charging or macro lens.
