1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | Poco F3 is slightly taller and wider, while Honor 70 is a bit thinner. Overall, both are similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 178g | Honor 70 is noticeably lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both have the same size screen, which offers an immersive experience for watching videos and playing games. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical resolution means sharpness will be similar. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Same pixel density means identical screen sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies provide excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 has substantially higher peak brightness, resulting in much better screen visibility in bright sunlight. Honor 70 brightness not available which is a big disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Snapdragon 870 in Poco F3 offers significantly more raw power, leading to faster app loading and smoother gameplay. |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 600,525 | Poco F3's higher score means faster overall performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | Adreno 650 in Poco F3 offers better graphics performance, important for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520 mAh | 4800 mAh | Honor 70 has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to a bit longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges much faster, getting you back to full power quicker. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0, Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Honor 70 can charge other devices, Poco F3 supports specific fast-charging protocols. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49", Sony IMX800 | Honor 70 has a larger sensor and higher resolution, which should result in better low-light performance and more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | Honor 70 has a higher resolution selfie camera which may capture more detailed photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 has the ability to capture wider shots. |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 70 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both have 4K video with stabilization, offering similar video recording experience |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Main Score 115, Photo Score 115, Video Score 129 | Honor 70's camera has been tested, suggesting good photo and very good video quality. |
| Features | Digital zoom, EIS, Autofocus, etc. | Digital zoom, EIS, Autofocus, RAW, Night Mode, Ultra stable video, etc. | Honor 70 has additional features like RAW, Night Mode, and Ultra Stable video for more advanced photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 13 | Android 12 | Honor 70 has a newer version of Android and is likely to be supported for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both support WiFi 6, providing fast and stable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 70 has a newer version, which may have better energy efficiency and performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco F3 has more precise GPS capabilities with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM) | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Honor 70 has an option for more storage, ideal for storing more media files. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Honor 70 has an option for more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 has Dolby Atmos for enhanced spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Poco F3's side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a more convenient and potentially faster unlock method. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 offers better screen protection with GG5, while protection is unknown for the Honor 70 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco F3 has more virtual sensors to improve the experience, while the Honor 70 has standard sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU offer noticeably better performance, especially in gaming and demanding apps.
- Higher Screen Brightness: 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Enhanced audio experience with better audio separation and immersion.
- More GPS Bands: Offers more accurate GPS capabilities due to more GPS bands
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor, higher resolution, and better low-light capabilities on the main camera.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging is much quicker than the 33W offered by Poco F3.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity may provide slightly longer battery life.
- More RAM and Storage: Option for up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage for more space and better multitasking.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12 and should be supported for longer.
- Ultra Stable Video, RAW, Night Mode Features: Offers more advanced camera capabilities with RAW, Night mode and ultra stable video recording.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3 trades better camera quality, faster charging, more RAM and internal storage for significantly better performance and screen visibility.
- Honor 70 trades maximum performance for a more versatile camera system, faster charging, and the option for more RAM and storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Benefit from the superior processor and GPU for smooth gaming experiences.
- Power Users: Those who frequently use demanding apps and require fast and responsive performance.
- Outdoor Users: Appreciate the much brighter screen for visibility in sunlight.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Enjoy the enhanced sound experience of Dolby Atmos.
Specific Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Editing videos or photos on the go.
- Navigating maps or working outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Listening to music or podcasts with enhanced audio quality.
Honor 70 Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The more versatile camera system and the larger sensor will be better for mobile photography.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Slightly larger battery combined with faster charging.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Option for more RAM to handle more apps simultaneously.
- Users wanting more storage: Option for 512gb of storage
- General Users: Seeking a well-rounded device with a good camera and solid performance.
Specific Use Cases for Honor 70:
- Capturing photos and videos in various conditions, especially in low light
- Recording high-quality videos with extra stability
- Daily use with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Storing a large library of media files.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Poco F3 offers high performance at a competitive price but compromises on camera versatility and some modern features.
- Honor 70 is a well rounded phone that does not excel in any specific area but covers all the basics making it a balanced phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs. Camera: Do you prioritize maximum performance and screen brightness or a more versatile camera system?
- Charging Speed and Battery Life: Is extremely fast charging and a slightly larger battery more important to you?
- Storage Needs: Do you need the option for a large 512GB storage option?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Heavy Gamer): Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for the best possible gaming performance and screen brightness.
- Scenario 2 (Photography Enthusiast): Choose the Honor 70 for its better camera system, versatility, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you are a general user and want a great overall experience choose the Honor 70.
My Choice
I would choose the Honor 70. While the Poco F3 has the advantage in raw performance and screen brightness, I find the Honor 70's more balanced approach more appealing for my needs. The superior camera system, faster charging, slightly larger battery, and more storage options make it a better all-around phone. Additionally, I prefer the more convenient fingerprint sensor on the side, which is better than the standard fingerprint sensor on the Honor 70. Although the Poco F3 offers better performance I don't need peak performance and can compromise on that to get a better overall experience with better battery life, camera capabilities and more RAM and storage. Ultimately, the Honor 70 better aligns with my typical usage patterns which are mainly camera use, social media, and watching videos.
