1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova 9 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.6 × 75.6 × 7.9 mm | Similar size, the Poco F3 is negligibly smaller and thinner. |
| Weight | 196g | 191g | Huawei is slightly lighter by 5g, noticeable during prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | Huawei has a marginally larger screen for slightly more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2388 | Similar sharpness; negligible visual difference. |
| PPI | 395 | 387 | Similar pixel density, both offer sharp displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco F3 has smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not Provided) | Poco F3 is significantly brighter for better visibility in sunlight. Huawei brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Poco F3 chipset is significantly more powerful for gaming, multitasking, and general speed. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 248,000 | Poco F3 is much faster, resulting in snappier performance and better gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Poco F3 has significantly better graphics performance for gaming and intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 108MP | Huawei offers higher resolution for more detail in photos, especially when printed or cropped. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.9 | Poco F3 has a wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.52" | Huawei's larger sensor should capture more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | Poco F3 has slightly higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Huawei's wider aperture can lead to slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Other Cameras | None | 2MP Depth, 2MP Macro, 8MP Wide Angle | Huawei offers more versatile photography with additional lenses. |
| Video Recording (Main) | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 offers higher resolution for sharper video recording. |
| Video Stabilisation | EIS | EIS | Both offer electronic image stabilisation for smoother videos. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera | Quadruple Camera, Ultra Stable Video, Continuous Autofocus, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Huawei provides more versatile shooting modes and advanced features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4000mAh | Poco F3 offers a larger battery for potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging Speed | 33W | 66W | Huawei charges significantly faster, reducing time plugged in. |
| Other Features | QC3+/PD3.0 Support | Reverse Charging | Poco supports more charging protocols. Huawei can charge other devices |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 11 | Poco F3 can be upgraded to Android 13. Huawei future updates are not listed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards for fast connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 | Poco F3 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for potentially better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, Galileo, BeiDou(B1) | Poco has more support for more accurate location and navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Similar RAM options for good multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the ability to add storage via SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | Poco F3 offers better audio quality and immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both use the same type of fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity Sensor | Poco F3 has an additional proximity sensor type |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU provide significantly higher performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Better Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate offers better visual quality, smoother animations and enhanced outdoor visibility.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a superior multimedia experience with more immersive sound.
- More Accurate Location: Additional GPS support for more precise navigation.
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity for longer usage time between charges
- More OS Updates: Upgradable to Android 13
Huawei Nova 9 SE Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: The 108MP main camera, along with additional depth, macro, and wide-angle lenses, offers a more flexible and diverse photography experience.
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging is significantly faster than the 33W on the Poco F3.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices using the phone
- More Camera Features: Includes additional features for advanced photography such as night mode and RAW photo support.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 trades the camera versatility and faster charging of the Nova 9 SE for significantly better overall performance and a superior display.
- The Nova 9 SE sacrifices processing power and display quality for a more versatile camera system and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
Ideal Users:
- Gamers seeking high performance and smooth gameplay.
- Users who prioritize display quality and multimedia experience.
- Power users who need fast and responsive performance for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Users who value high quality audio.
- Those who prefer a higher chance of software updates
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with high frame rates and fast response.
- Watching high-definition videos and streaming content.
- Multitasking with many apps running simultaneously.
- Using the device in bright outdoor conditions where display brightness matters.
Huawei Nova 9 SE:
Ideal Users:
- Photography enthusiasts who value versatile camera features.
- Users who prioritize fast charging.
- Those who want a phone with good photo versatility but are not worried about intensive tasks such as gaming.
Use Cases:
- Capturing various types of photos, including portraits, macro shots, and wide-angle landscapes.
- Quickly charging the phone for on-the-go use.
- Daily photography and social media use.
- Those who would like to share power with other devices
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 generally provides a better price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize performance and display quality. It often provides flagship level performance at a mid-range price.
- The Nova 9 SE offers a good value for those who are more focused on camera versatility and fast charging, but its overall performance is lower.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize gaming, multitasking, and overall speed, or is camera versatility more important?
- Display Importance: Do you need an AMOLED display with high refresh rate, or is a good quality LCD display sufficient?
- Charging Priorities: Is faster charging a must-have, or is a longer battery life with standard charging adequate?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer: If you play demanding games, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice. Its superior processing power and display will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you take a lot of photos and need a versatile camera system, the Huawei Nova 9 SE is more suitable. The 108MP camera and additional lenses offer more flexibility.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: If you prioritize a balance of good performance, display, and battery life, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is a strong recommendation due to its overall better performance and display quality. However, if faster charging is more important, the Huawei Nova 9 SE could be a viable option.
- Scenario 4: Frequent travellers and outdoors user: The Xiaomi Poco F3 is a superior choice due to its brighter display for use in direct sunlight, accurate gps, and longer battery life, and support for a higher range of charging protocols.
My Choice and Why:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. Here's why:
- Performance is a Top Priority: I value a smooth and responsive user experience, and the Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 680. The Poco F3 will handle intensive tasks much better and is more future-proof.
- Display Quality Matters: The AMOLED display on the Poco F3 is a huge draw. I prefer the deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better viewing angles that AMOLED offers, especially when watching videos.
- Balanced Capabilities: While I do appreciate a good camera, the performance boost, better display, and superior audio of the Poco F3 outweigh the camera advantages of the Huawei Nova 9 SE.
- Better Future Proofing: The potential for software upgrades and better performance should provide a smoother user experience for longer.
While the faster charging and versatile camera system of the Nova 9 SE are appealing, they don't outweigh my preference for overall performance and display quality in a daily device. The Poco F3 better aligns with my typical use case, which includes a lot of multitasking, gaming, and multimedia consumption.
