Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Huawei nova 8i
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | Poco F3 is slightly larger overall but thinner, while the Nova 8i is more compact but thicker. The difference is small. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | Nova 8i is slightly lighter, which may be preferable for long periods of use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size; both are large and suitable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2376 | Negligible difference in sharpness. Both offer a Full HD+ experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 391 | Almost identical pixel density resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3 has superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, better contrast, and better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. The Huawei nova 8i brightness is missing from the specification. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Poco F3 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 201,000 | Poco F3 is over 3.5x more powerful, making it more future-proof and better for demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Poco F3 has a much stronger GPU that translates to better gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.79) | 64MP (f/1.9) | Huawei nova 8i has a higher resolution, but the Poco F3 has a slightly wider aperture which impacts low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP (f/2.45) | 16MP (f/2.0) | Poco F3 has a higher resolution, and the Huawei Nova 8i has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 8MP (f/2.2) | Huawei nova 8i provides more versatile photography with an ultra-wide lens. |
| Portrait Lens | Not available | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 2MP (f/2.4) | Huawei nova 8i offers a dedicated macro lens for detailed close up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 provides higher video quality with 4K, while both offer digital image stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Triple camera, Manual focus, etc | Quadruple camera, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), etc | The Huawei has a more versatile camera setup, while the Poco F3 offers 4k recording and manual settings. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4300mAh | Poco F3 has a slightly larger battery which could lead to marginally longer battery life, though real world results vary. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 66W fast charging | Huawei nova 8i charges significantly faster, reducing downtime waiting for charging. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 fast charging | | Poco F3 supports additional fast charging standards |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps.
- Better Display Quality: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly better visuals, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and smoother animations.
- Brighter Screen: The 1300 nits brightness offers much better visibility in direct sunlight.
- 4K Video Recording: Allows for higher resolution video recording, which is good for content creation or better videos.
- More Advanced WiFi: Supports WiFi 6, which provides faster and more stable wireless connections.
- More RAM options: Available with up to 8GB of RAM for smoother multi-tasking
- Hi-Res Audio: Provides a better listening experience with compatible devices
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More Versatile Camera System: The inclusion of a wide-angle, macro, and depth sensor adds flexibility for different photography scenarios.
- Quad Camera System: A more versatile camera setup with a wide angle and macro lens
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Lacks the versatile camera system of the Nova 8i (no wide-angle, macro or depth lenses), and charges slower.
- Nova 8i: Significantly less powerful performance, inferior display technology, and a less bright screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, those who value performance and display quality over camera versatility.
- Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming
- Smooth multitasking between demanding apps
- Watching high-quality videos and HDR content
- Outdoor use in bright conditions
- Users looking for a more future-proof device
Huawei nova 8i:
- Ideal User: Casual users, photography enthusiasts who want more versatile lens options, and those who prioritize fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday photography in various scenarios (wide shots, close-ups, portraits)
- Fast battery top-ups when in a hurry
- General media consumption and browsing
- Users looking for a budget phone with good features.
Price-to-Value:
- The Poco F3 typically offers a higher price but delivers significantly higher performance and a superior display.
- The Nova 8i is generally more budget-friendly, offering a more versatile camera and faster charging, but with sacrifices in performance and display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance Needs: How important is having a fast, responsive phone for gaming and demanding apps?
- Display Preference: Do you value an AMOLED display with high refresh rate and brightness, or is an IPS LCD sufficient?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need or value having an ultra-wide, macro, and depth lens in your phone's camera system?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance-Focused: If you are a gamer or frequently use demanding apps, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice for its superior processor, GPU, and faster RAM.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Photography: If you want a versatile camera system with fast charging, the Huawei nova 8i is more suitable, while acknowledging the performance trade-off.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you are an average user who values performance and display quality, and a better screen experience, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better all-around choice, provided the budget allows for it.
Final Recommendation
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the Huawei nova 8i offers a more versatile camera system with a fast charging option, the Poco F3 provides a superior user experience in crucial areas. The vastly improved performance from the Snapdragon 870 chipset, coupled with the smoother 120Hz AMOLED display, makes it a more satisfying phone for daily use. The brighter screen is also very useful in day-to-day usage. While I value the wide angle camera and faster charging of the Huawei, the differences in performance are too stark to ignore. I am willing to sacrifice faster charging for better performance and a better display.
