1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | Honor 90 is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 196g | 183g | Honor 90 is lighter, making it more comfortable for long usage sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 has a noticeably sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 395 | 435 | Honor 90's higher pixel density will result in a slightly crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays will have deep blacks and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 will be significantly more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | Poco F3's chipset offers better overall performance, whereas Honor 90's chipset is more power-efficient due to newer architecture |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 701,227 | Poco F3 benchmarks higher, implying potentially smoother experience in intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | Poco F3's GPU will likely have slightly better graphics performance in demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Honor 90 captures significantly more detail, especially with larger sensor for better low light performance. Poco F3 has wider aperture for better depth of field. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" | 50MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 will capture selfies with more detail and has a wider aperture. |
| Portrait Mode | Not available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Honor 90 can add depth effects to portraits. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not available | 12MP, f/2.2 | Honor 90 offers more versatility with ultrawide and macro options. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, multiple 1080p modes | 4K@30fps with EIS, multiple 1080p modes | Both offer good video quality. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | 122 (Mobile), 128 (Photo), 126 (Video) | Honor 90 provides benchmarked camera performance, Poco F3 has no rating. |
| Camera Features | Manual Focus, Panorama | PDAF, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Honor 90 offers more advanced features for low-light photography and editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Honor 90's slightly larger battery will likely offer better endurance. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Honor 90 charges significantly faster. |
| Battery Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Non-removable | Poco F3 supports more advanced fast charging protocols. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Honor 90 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer modern high-speed wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 has a newer version with potentially slightly better range and power efficiency |
| 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, BeiDou (B1) | Poco F3 has more advanced location features and offers dual-band GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor 90 offers significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB or 16 GB | Honor 90 provides more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation Microphone | Poco F3 will likely have a better audio experience for listening to music or watching movies and Honor 90 has better microphone for calls or recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Side mounted is more advanced. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3's screen is more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, RGB | Poco F3 has Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity sensor. Honor 90 has RGB sensor for advanced photography |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers better performance in benchmarks and is expected to have an edge in gaming.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers provide a superior audio experience.
- Dual-band GPS: Offers more accurate location tracking.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Faster and more reliable than basic fingerprint sensors.
- Known screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides good scratch and impact resistance.
Practical Implications for Poco F3:
- Ideal for gamers and users who push their phones to the limit.
- Excellent for users who consume a lot of media or music.
- Reliable for users who rely heavily on GPS.
- Provides a more ergonomic and quicker unlock experience.
Honor 90 Advantages:
- Significantly better Camera: 200MP main sensor, 50MP front camera, and additional lens provide much better detail and versatility.
- Larger and brighter Display: Higher resolution and brightness make for a more immersive and usable display, especially in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 66W charging gets the phone back up and running much faster.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Caters to users needing more space for files and smoother multitasking.
- Larger Battery: Offers slightly better battery life due to larger capacity.
Practical Implications for Honor 90:
- Ideal for photography enthusiasts and content creators.
- Perfect for users who prioritize an excellent display.
- Faster charging is very convenient for users on the go.
- Latest version of Android provides access to the latest features and security updates.
- Larger storage is perfect for users who store lots of media and apps.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices camera quality and display brightness for better performance.
- Honor 90: Sacrifices raw performance for superior camera, display and battery experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 - Ideal User:
- Gamers: Prioritizes raw performance for demanding games.
- Media Enthusiasts: Appreciates high-quality audio and stereo speakers.
- Power Users: Needs consistent processing power for intensive tasks.
- Value-Conscious: Looking for high performance without breaking the bank.
Honor 90 - Ideal User:
- Photography Lovers: Wants a great camera system for detailed shots.
- Display Aficionados: Values a bright and sharp screen for media consumption.
- Busy Professionals: Needs fast charging and reliable battery life.
- Users needing ample storage: Users who take lots of photos, videos and use a wide variety of apps.
- Users needing a newer Android version: Desire the latest OS experience.
Use Cases:
- Poco F3: Gaming, video editing, heavy multitasking.
- Honor 90: Photography, videography, social media, watching movies, outdoor usage, multi-tasking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Poco F3: Offers strong performance at a potentially lower price point.
- Honor 90: Justifies a potentially higher price with its superior camera, display and battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Camera? Do you prioritize gaming and raw speed, or do you need a top-tier camera for photography?
- Display or Battery? Is a brighter screen and slightly larger battery life, or higher quality audio more important to you?
- Storage and RAM? Do you need a lot of internal storage and RAM or are you ok with less?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer - Choose Xiaomi Poco F3. The superior performance is critical for competitive gaming.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast - Choose Honor 90. The superior camera, better image quality and versatility are ideal for photography and social media.
- Scenario 3: All-Around User - Choose Honor 90. The Honor 90 provides a more balanced experience with a superior display, better battery and a great camera.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User - Choose Xiaomi Poco F3. The Xiaomi Poco F3 is the more affordable option while still providing strong performance.
Personal Choice and Explanation:
If I were to choose, I would pick the Honor 90. While the Poco F3 offers slightly better raw performance, the Honor 90 provides a more well-rounded and modern experience, especially the camera, display and battery which I prioritize. The much better camera system with the additional portrait and wide angle sensors on the Honor 90 make it much more appealing to me. The display brightness is also very important for me when I am outside or in bright environments and the brighter display on the Honor 90 is a clear winner. The faster charging is also an important factor for my use case, as I do not like waiting long to charge my phone. While the Snapdragon 870 on the Poco F3 is a powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 on the Honor 90 is more than adequate for my daily needs, such as social media, web browsing, and media consumption. The additional storage and ram are also a plus for my use case, where I have many apps and files.
