Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. HTC U23 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | HTC U23 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 166.6 × 77.1 × 8.9 mm | HTC U23 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, which may make it less pocketable and affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 196g | 205g | Xiaomi Poco F3 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible size difference; both offer a large screen for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide a crisp visual experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 393 | Practically indistinguishable in terms of pixel density, very sharp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks; differences are minor in practical use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both; no practical difference. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 is significantly brighter, making it more usable in direct sunlight; the HTC U23 Pro's brightness data is missing, creating a major question mark. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4nm) | Xiaomi Poco F3’s older chip offers better performance, faster app loading, and smoother gaming compared to the more modern but less performant HTC chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 699,600 | Xiaomi Poco F3 scores significantly higher indicating better overall performance in benchmarks and tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 644 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4600mAh | Similar capacity; both should offer comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xiaomi Poco F3 has slightly faster wired charging. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | 15W Wireless Charging, 5W Reverse | HTC U23 Pro adds convenience with wireless charging and reverse wireless charging; Xiaomi Poco F3 supports fast charging protocols. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 108MP, f/1.7 | HTC U23 Pro has a significantly higher resolution and slightly wider aperture main sensor; potential for more detail and better low-light performance (Note: specific sensor models missing for HTC). |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" | 32MP, f/2.45 | HTC U23 Pro has a higher resolution selfie camera; potentially better detail in selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro includes an 8MP wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes; Xiaomi Poco F3 lacks a wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.2 | HTC U23 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode. Xiaomi Poco F3 does not have a depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | HTC U23 Pro offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. Xiaomi Poco F3 does not have a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@960fps with EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps with EIS | Both support 4K recording. Xiaomi Poco F3 offers 1080p slow motion up to 960fps. |
| Video Features | EIS | EIS, OIS | HTC U23 Pro's OIS is more effective in reducing camera shake compared to digital stabilization. |
| Features | Triple camera, Manual focus, Continuous shooting | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF | HTC U23 Pro offers Quad camera, OIS for better image stabilization, and PDAF for faster focusing. Xiaomi Poco F3 offers manual focus and continuous shooting. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | HTC U23 Pro ships with a newer OS version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer Wi-Fi 6, Xiaomi Poco F3 features MIMO for improved signal stability and speed. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.2 | HTC U23 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth; Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more audio codecs. |
| GPS | L1+L5, BeiDou (B1,B2), NavIC | Standard GPS | Xiaomi Poco F3 provides more precise positioning with support for L5 band and other satellite systems. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Both offer 256GB as maximum; Xiaomi Poco F3 comes with 128 GB variant. Neither phone provides expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | HTC U23 Pro can have up to 12 GB of RAM, allowing smoother multitasking. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers superior audio quality through stereo speakers and audio enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Similar side-mounted fingerprint scanner, convenient for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus | HTC U23 Pro offers superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi Poco F3 has an ultrasonic proximity sensor while HTC U23 Pro uses the standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU offer significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world usage, including smoother gaming and faster app loading.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display is significantly brighter making it much better for outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers provide a far superior audio experience for media consumption.
- Better Positioning: More precise positioning with L1+L5 band and other satellite system support.
HTC U23 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 13 out of the box, potentially providing more timely updates and features.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors, offering greater flexibility in photography.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, adding convenience.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS provides superior video and image stabilization, particularly beneficial in low-light conditions.
- Superior Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus provides a much stronger screen.
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco F3: Lacks the camera versatility, OIS and wireless charging features of the HTC U23 Pro and uses an older OS out of the box.
- HTC U23 Pro: Sacrifices some performance and brightness for a newer operating system, a more versatile camera setup, and wireless charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and GPU provide a superior gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance and speed in daily tasks.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality audio and a bright display for watching videos and listening to music.
- Value-conscious buyers: Users who want flagship-level performance at a lower price point.
- Outdoor users: User who need a bright screen for outdoor use in daylight.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games at high frame rates.
- Multitasking between resource-intensive applications.
- Enjoying multimedia content with excellent audio and visuals.
- Navigating using precise GPS.
HTC U23 Pro Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value versatile camera systems with wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses, and OIS.
- Users focused on Convenience: People who would appreciate wireless charging capabilities.
- Users who want a newer OS: Individuals who want the latest version of Android with potentially more support for future updates.
- Users who are likely to drop their phone: A much tougher screen.
Use Cases:
- Capturing a wide range of photos with different perspectives.
- Wireless charging on the go.
- Taking advantage of the latest software features.
- Taking photos or videos with better image stabilization.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or camera versatility? If performance is paramount, choose the Poco F3. If camera features matter most, consider the HTC U23 Pro.
- Is wireless charging and OIS important to you? If so, the HTC U23 Pro is the clear winner.
- What are your brightness needs? If you are often in bright sunlight, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is likely to be a much better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast - Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior gaming performance, higher refresh rate, and enhanced audio experience.
- Scenario 2: Photography Lover - Choose the HTC U23 Pro for its versatile quad-camera setup, OIS, and ability to take a wider variety of photos.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User - The Xiaomi Poco F3 is still the better pick for its much better brightness and overall better performance, unless wireless charging is a must-have.
My Choice
Given the information available, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Here's why:
- Performance: As a power user, I prioritize raw performance and speed. The Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Poco F3 offers a noticeable advantage in everyday usage and gaming, which is a big win for me. The HTC U23 Pro's chipset is newer but it scores lower, indicating it is not as powerful.
- Brightness: The lack of brightness specification for the HTC U23 Pro is concerning. The Poco F3's 1300 nits brightness is a major advantage, particularly outdoors.
- Audio Quality: I consume a lot of media, and the Dolby Atmos stereo speakers in the Poco F3 would provide a superior audio experience over the basic audio features of the HTC.
- Value: The Poco F3 provides higher end performance for the price.
While the HTC U23 Pro has its merits with wireless charging, newer OS and OIS, the Poco F3's combination of powerful performance, higher brightness and significantly better audio quality makes it a more compelling choice for my specific use case and the lack of brightness spec on the HTC is concerning.
