1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.3 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Xiaomi Poco F3 is slightly wider, while Huawei nova 11 Pro is taller and slightly thicker; minimal practical difference. |
| Weight | 196g | 188g | Huawei nova 11 Pro is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a marginally larger viewing area, good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1200x2652 | Huawei nova 11 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 395 | 429 | Huawei nova 11 Pro has slightly better pixel density, leading to crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; minor differences in display technology, not a huge practical impact. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; identical performance. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 has significantly better outdoor visibility, crucial for bright sunlight usage. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a more powerful chipset, leading to smoother and faster performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 592,297 | Xiaomi Poco F3 demonstrates a noticeable performance advantage in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading times. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | Xiaomi Poco F3's GPU is more powerful, offering better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera | |||
| Standard Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers slightly more detailed images. |
| Standard Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Xiaomi Poco F3 performs slightly better in low-light conditions due to wider aperture. |
| Standard Sensor Size | 1/2" | N/A | Xiaomi Poco F3 has larger sensor pixels, leading to improved light gathering and better low-light performance; Huawei Nova 11 Pro's sensor size is not specified. |
| Standard Sensor Model | Sony IMX582 Exmor RS | N/A | Sony sensor generally provide decent image quality |
| Front Camera | |||
| Selfie Resolution | 20MP | 60MP | Huawei nova 11 Pro has significantly higher resolution for selfies, capturing more detail. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Huawei nova 11 Pro has a slightly wider aperture, good for low light selfies. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/2.8" | Huawei nova 11 Pro's sensor size is bigger, which may mean better low light selfies, but there is no data of individual pixel size. |
| Selfie Sensor Model | Samsung S5K3T2 | Omnivision OV60A | Both are known sensor manufactures |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | N/A | 8MP (f/2.2) | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers more versatile camera setup with an additional wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 720p@960fps | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers higher resolution video recording. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery life; negligible difference. |
| Charging | 33W | 100W | Huawei nova 11 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Reverse Charging | Xiaomi supports QC3+ and PD3.0 protocols, while Huawei nova 11 Pro can act as a power bank. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Huawei nova 11 Pro offers more storage options, suitable for users with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Huawei nova 11 Pro has a 12GB RAM variant for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | No options to add more storage using memory cards. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 (not specified) | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a clear upgrade path to Android 13, but Huawei details are not clear, this is not a deal breaker but might be important to some users |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless internet. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 11 Pro features slightly newer and potentially more stable Bluetooth connectivity. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Slightly More Satellite Systems | Huawei nova 11 Pro has support for more satellite systems, leading to slightly more accurate GPS. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Stereo | Xiaomi Poco F3 has better audio quality with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res support. |
| Security | Side-mounted | Basic | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a more advanced sensor |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity | Proximity & Gravity | Xiaomi Poco F3 features additional sensor for more functionalities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 870), leading to better overall performance in apps, games, and multitasking.
- Brighter Display: Higher peak brightness (1300 nits) for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio support for a better sound experience.
- Higher resolution video: 4k 30fps for better quality videos.
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass 5 which is known for being durable.
- More detailed Main Camera information: Provides all the specific detail on the main camera like the manufacturer, model number, and sensor size.
- Clear OS upgrade path
Huawei nova 11 Pro Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging, significantly faster than Poco F3's 33W.
- Higher-Resolution Selfies: 60MP front camera with larger sensor, capturing more detail.
- More versatile Camera Setup: Offers a wide-angle + macro camera for more shooting flexibility.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 512GB internal storage.
- More RAM options: Offers 12 GB RAM, if more multitasking is needed.
- Slightly More Satellite Systems: Offers support for more satellite systems, leading to more accurate GPS.
- Newer Bluetooth version: 5.2 instead of 5.1 for better connection.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Charging: The Poco F3 sacrifices faster charging for higher performance, while the Huawei prioritizes faster charging with a less powerful processor.
- Camera System trade off: Poco F3 has a more information on the main camera, but no ultrawide lens, while the Huawei Nova 11 Pro has a secondary ultrawide lens, but little information on the main camera.
- Screen Protection: While the Poco F3 has gorilla glass, it is unclear what type of protection the Huawei Nova 11 Pro has.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is Ideal For:
- Gamers: Demanding games run more smoothly due to the more powerful processor and GPU.
- Users who prioritize Performance: Users who value app loading speeds and smooth multitasking.
- Outdoor users: The brighter screen makes it easy to view under sunlight.
- Users looking for a better audio experience: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio is great for music and video.
Huawei nova 11 Pro is Ideal For:
- Selfie enthusiasts: The 60MP front camera provides high-resolution images and a larger sensor.
- Users who require fast charging: Spend less time tethered to a wall, and it also features reverse charging.
- Users who want more storage: Option to get 512GB internal storage
- Users who like a versatile camera: Comes with an ultrawide camera.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Xiaomi Poco F3 is often considered a "flagship killer" due to its strong performance at a competitive price. The Huawei nova 11 Pro's price is generally higher. This implies that the Poco F3 offers better value for users who prioritize raw performance, while the Huawei nova 11 Pro is better for those who need specific camera features, storage, and quick charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance or Charging? Do you prioritize raw processing power for gaming and demanding apps (Poco F3), or is fast charging and slightly better camera versatility more important (Huawei nova 11 Pro)?
- How often do you take selfies? Do you need a high-resolution selfie camera (Huawei nova 11 Pro), or is a decent selfie camera sufficient (Poco F3)?
- What is your primary use? Is it gaming and outdoor use (Poco F3) or heavy media consumption and frequent travel (Huawei nova 11 Pro)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer: Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better choice due to its superior performance and smoother frame rates.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Influencer: Huawei nova 11 Pro would be preferable due to its high-resolution front camera, versatile camera setup, and quick charging.
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler: Huawei nova 11 Pro is better due to fast charging and support for more satellite navigation systems.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: Xiaomi Poco F3 offers better performance at a potentially lower price point.
- Scenario 5: Photography Enthusiast: Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a more versatile camera system including a ultrawide, macro, and telephoto lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. My primary use case involves gaming and multitasking, where the Poco F3's superior performance would be more beneficial. The brighter display is also a big plus for me as I often use my phone outdoors. While the Huawei nova 11 Pro's fast charging and higher-resolution selfie camera are enticing, the performance difference and more information provided in the Poco F3 specs makes it a more balanced choice for my needs. Additionally, the Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio are important for my media consumption. The lack of expandable storage on both phones is a drawback, however this drawback is on both, so it isn't a deciding factor.
