Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Huawei Mate X3 offers a larger, tablet-like screen when unfolded, enhancing media consumption and productivity; Xiaomi Poco F3 is more pocketable. |
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm | Xiaomi Poco F3 is taller and thicker, while Huawei Mate X3 is much wider when unfolded. Mate X3 may feel more unwieldy in its unfolded form. |
| Weight | 196g | 239g | Xiaomi Poco F3 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 7.85" | Huawei Mate X3 provides a significantly larger screen, excellent for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 2224x2496 | Huawei Mate X3 offers sharper images and text due to its higher resolution, particularly noticeable on the larger screen. |
| PPI | 395 | 426 | Huawei Mate X3 has slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Xiaomi Poco F3 has superior display technology offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes, more vibrant colors. Huawei Mate X3's technology is not specified. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 is much better suited for outdoor use in bright sunlight due to its significantly higher brightness. Huawei Mate X3's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Huawei Mate X3 has a newer and more powerful chipset, offering faster performance and better efficiency, however its 4G only. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,238,400 | Huawei Mate X3 offers significantly better overall performance, impacting app loading times, gaming, and multitasking responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Huawei Mate X3 provides better graphics performance, leading to smoother gaming experiences. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4800mAh | Huawei Mate X3 has slightly more battery capacity, which may provide marginally longer usage times. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging, 50W wireless | Huawei Mate X3 charges much faster and offers the added convenience of wireless charging. |
| Charging Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Wireless charging | Huawei Mate X3 provides a more modern and convenient charging experience. Xiaomi's is still functional. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Huawei Mate X3 likely offers better image quality with a larger sensor size, although slightly smaller aperture and higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" | 8MP, f/2.4 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a higher resolution front camera, beneficial for detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 16MP, f/3.4, 1/3.09" | Huawei Mate X3 offers zoom capabilities, allowing closer shots from a distance. |
| Wide/Macro Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Huawei Mate X3 provides versatility with ultrawide and macro photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 960fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@up to 960fps | Huawei Mate X3 has a higher frame rate at 4K. Both offer slow-motion recording. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Huawei Mate X3 offers better video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Multiple Standard features | Additional: OIS, Raw, Optical Zoom | Huawei Mate X3 has a more versatile camera system with OIS and optical zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Not specified | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a more open ecosystem and defined upgrade path. The OS of the Mate X3 is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer modern Wi-Fi standards for fast connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei Mate X3 has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering slightly better range, reliability and efficiency. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | Multiple Systems | Both offer similar high end GPS system capabilities with Huawei offering a slightly wider range of compatibility. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Both offer dual SIM capability but Huawei's is full active whereas the Xiaomi is dual standby only. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Huawei Mate X3 offers significantly more storage options for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Huawei Mate X3 provides more RAM, improving multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a more immersive audio experience for music and movies through its enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide convenient biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a screen with a well known and popular screen protection, Huawei is not specified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Multiple Standard + Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Multiple Standard + Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Huawei Mate X3 offers more advanced environmental and motion sensors for specialized applications and enhanced user experiences. Xiaomi has ultrasonic proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around, especially for one-handed use.
- Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility with 1300 nits, crucial for use in sunny conditions.
- Superior Audio Features: Includes Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio for enhanced audio experience.
- Known Screen Protection: Offers Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Large, tablet-like screen when unfolded, ideal for media consumption and multitasking.
- More Powerful Performance: Newer chipset and significantly higher benchmark scores, leading to faster and smoother performance.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto and wide angle camera, along with OIS and RAW support.
- Faster Charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, significantly faster than the Poco F3.
- More Storage & RAM: Higher storage options and RAM capacities.
- More Sensors: More sensors like a barometer.
- Full Active SIM: Dual active sim vs dual standby sim in the Poco F3
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco F3: Compromises on camera versatility and performance compared to the Mate X3. Older chipset and lacks wireless charging.
- Huawei Mate X3: Higher price, larger unfolded size is not ideal for pocketability, lacks screen protection specification, and its OS is not defined.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who want a good balance of performance, display quality, and portability.
- Use Cases: Daily use, social media, media consumption, gaming, and users who prioritize brightness when outdoors.
- Strengths: Great for users who prioritize a lightweight and pocketable phone and bright display.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal User: Users who value a large screen, premium performance, and versatile cameras, and have the budget.
- Use Cases: Productivity, media creation, mobile gaming, photography, and business use cases.
- Strengths: Best for users who need a large screen for multitasking, want a top-of-the-line camera system, and value fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: Is the significant cost difference between the two phones justifiable based on my budget and requirements?
- Size & Portability: Do I need a large screen, or is a more pocketable form factor more important to me?
- Camera Needs: Do I need advanced camera features like telephoto zoom and OIS, or is a standard camera setup sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I want the best value for my money for everyday use."
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. It offers excellent performance, a great display, and a lightweight build at a more accessible price point.
- Scenario 2: "I need a device for productivity, multimedia, and want the best camera experience."
- Recommendation: Huawei Mate X3. Its large foldable screen, top-tier performance, and advanced camera features make it ideal for such use cases.
- Scenario 3: "I want a good balance of performance, decent camera, portability and don't want to worry too much about battery life."
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. It has decent battery capacity and provides great all round capabilities with a smaller form factor.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Here's why:
- Value for Money: The Poco F3 offers an incredible balance of performance and features at a significantly lower price point. The Mate X3's premium features are not worth the extra cost to me, given my personal use case.
- Practicality: While the foldable form factor of the Mate X3 is appealing, I value portability and ease of use in my daily life. The Poco F3's lighter weight and more compact size make it more practical for carrying around and using one-handed.
- Display: The Poco F3's AMOLED display, with its high brightness, is essential for me because I often use my phone outdoors. This is a major advantage over the Huawei Mate X3, whose display brightness is unspecified, implying poor outdoor capabilities and lack of key data.
- Operating System: The fact that the operating system of the Huawei Mate X3 is unspecified makes the device unappealing as it could impact usability and customisability.
- Camera: While the Mate X3's camera system is undoubtedly more advanced, the camera on the Poco F3 is more than sufficient for everyday photography needs.
- No Compromise: The Poco F3 does not have any unknown or unspecified specs which is an immediate negative for the Mate X3.
While I do appreciate the higher performance and advanced features of the Mate X3, I believe that the Poco F3 provides an excellent experience that perfectly matches my needs and budget. The extra capabilities of the Mate X3 are simply not worth the price premium for me.
