1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | ROG Phone is slightly thicker & bulkier but virtually same height and width. |
| Weight | 196g | 225g | Poco F3 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. ROG Phone 8 Pro feels more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro's display is marginally larger, offering slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail. Sharpness will be virtually identical. |
| PPI | 395 | 388 | Pixel density is virtually identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro is much easier to view outdoors in direct sunlight, providing superior visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly more powerful and efficient chipset, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a much better performance (252% higher AnTuTu score), suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much faster GPU, enabling smoother frame rates and better graphics in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro is likely to last significantly longer on a single charge, especially under heavy use. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | QC3 + / PD3.0 Support | Non-removable | Poco F3 provides Quick Charge 3.0 and Power Delivery 3.0 support |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor size for better low light performance and larger pixel size. |
| Front Selfie | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32MP, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers higher resolution front camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.7µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, while Poco F3 does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated wide angle + macro camera for more versatility. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@960fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 720p@480fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro allows for capturing 8K videos with HDR, and high frame-rate recording in 720p and 1080p with HDR and EIS. |
| Stabilisation | EIS | HDR, EIS | ROG Phone 8 Pro has better video stabilisation. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | ROG Phone 8 Pro has additional camera features like 8K recording, Optical Zoom, Optical Image Stabilization, Gimbal, Laser Auto Focus, Night Mode, and Continuous Auto Focus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | ROG Phone 8 Pro comes with a newer Android version and better long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers faster Wi-Fi speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version for better audio and device connection. |
| GPS | L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a, B2 | L1+L5, L1, B1, E1+E5a, B2, L1+L5 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has more supported satellite navigation systems that ensure high accuracy positioning in various locations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both have dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more storage for apps, media, and games. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 16GB/24GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have Stereo Speakers. Poco F3 has Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio while ROG 8 Pro has DTS and 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Poco F3 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. ROG 8 Pro has an integrated fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a superior level of screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Poco F3 features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual. ROG Phone 8 Pro features: Proximity, Gravity. Both phones provide suitable sensors for advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter: Significantly lighter (29g), making it more comfortable for extended use and portability.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Offers a more convenient way to unlock the device.
- Lower price: Generally more affordable.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance (252% higher AnTuTu score).
- Superior Display: 165Hz refresh rate offers significantly smoother visuals, while 2500 nits brightness provides better outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, a wide-angle/macro lens, optical zoom, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Gimbal stabilisation, and higher resolution in both front and main cameras.
- Larger Battery: 5500mAh battery offers longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- More RAM and Storage: Up to 24GB RAM for seamless multitasking and 1TB storage for abundant media and apps.
- Latest Software: Comes with Android 14 for long term support and features.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster connections.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for superior screen protection.
- Better Video Recording: 8K recording, high frame-rate recording and HDR video capture with EIS.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3:
- Compromises on performance, camera quality, battery life, charging speed, and display brightness compared to ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Older software with less long-term support.
- Lacks features such as dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Heavier and bulkier build may not be ideal for all users.
- Significantly more expensive than the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking good performance at a lower price point.
- Users prioritizing lightweight design: Those who prefer a lighter phone for comfortable one-handed use.
- Casual gamers: Users who play less demanding games and do not require the highest graphical fidelity.
- Everyday users: Those who value good overall performance for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, email, and communication.
- Watching videos and streaming content.
- Playing less graphically intensive mobile games.
- Users wanting a reliable and budget-friendly phone.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Ideal Users:
- Hardcore mobile gamers: Those needing the best performance, smooth frame rates, and advanced gaming features.
- Power users: Those who engage in heavy multitasking, resource-intensive applications, or content creation.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who require a versatile camera with telephoto, wide-angle, and macro capabilities.
- Users prioritizing the latest technology: Those wanting the best features, long battery life, and the latest software.
- Users needing the best possible display quality: Those wanting better outdoor visibility and a smoother display.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile games with high graphics settings.
- Video editing, 3D rendering, and other heavy tasks.
- Photography, videography, and content creation.
- Outdoor use where screen visibility is crucial.
- Long sessions on battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend? The ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly more expensive.
- Primary Use Case: Will you be primarily gaming, doing content creation, or engaging in basic daily use?
- Portability vs. Performance: Do you prioritize a lighter, more portable phone or top-tier performance and battery life?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If you have a limited budget and primarily use your phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the more sensible choice.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore Gaming, No Compromises: If you are a hardcore gamer who needs the best performance, a smooth display, and long battery life, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Versatile Usage, Performance Matters: If you need a well-rounded phone with excellent camera capabilities, a great display, and smooth multitasking the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is highly recommended, despite the higher price.
- Scenario 4: Basic User with Moderate Needs: If you are a basic user with moderate needs, the Xiaomi Poco F3 will be a better choice, due to its affordability and features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the Poco F3 is an excellent budget-friendly phone, the ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a vastly superior experience in almost every aspect. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with the 165Hz AMOLED display and a significantly better camera system, makes it much better. As someone who values gaming, photography, and performance, the trade-off of a bulkier design and higher cost is worth the performance upgrade, superior display, better camera, and long battery life, making it a very versatile phone overall. While the Poco F3 is a good choice for those with a very limited budget, the ROG 8 Pro is better for me as it offers a more feature-rich phone.
