Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Huawei nova Y90
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | Poco F3 is slightly wider, Nova Y90 slightly thicker. Both are comparable in size and should be pocketable. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical weight; both will feel similarly substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size; both provide a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2388 | Almost identical; both offer sharp visuals for everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 391 | Virtually indistinguishable in sharpness; both are considered sharp displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and more vibrant colors leading to a better viewing experience, especially in dark environments and for HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco F3 offers smoother scrolling and animations; noticeable primarily during fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 is significantly brighter and much better for outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. The Nova Y90 brightness is missing, but likely has a lower brightness that will struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) | Poco F3's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. Nova Y90's is a midrange chipset that will struggle with intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 249,000 | Poco F3 has dramatically higher benchmark score, translating to a much snappier and responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Poco F3's GPU is far superior, offering substantially better graphics performance in games and other demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.8µm pixels (Sony IMX582) | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.7µm pixels | Poco F3 has a slightly wider aperture and a larger pixel size, enabling better low-light performance. The nova Y90 has a slightly higher resolution sensor but the difference will be minimal. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm pixels (Samsung S5K3T2) | 8MP, f/2.0 | Poco F3 provides significantly higher resolution for detailed selfies while Nova Y90 has a wider aperture for brighter low-light selfies. |
| Secondary Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova Y90 has dedicated secondary (likely a macro camera) which is absent on the Poco F3. |
| Tertiary Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nova Y90 has dedicated tertiary (likely a depth sensor) which is absent on the Poco F3. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, multiple 1080p recording options | 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 offers much higher video resolution capabilities, while also having electronic image stabilisation (EIS) for smoother footage. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Nova Y90 has a slightly larger battery, which may result in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 40W | Nova Y90 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Supports QC3+/PD3.0, Non-removable | Non-removable | Poco F3 supports a wider range of charging protocols. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | The Nova Y90 comes with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Poco F3 offers faster WiFi speeds and lower latency with the latest WiFi standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Poco F3 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, supporting more audio codecs. |
| GPS | Multiple (L1+L5) | Multiple | Poco F3 has dual-band GPS for more accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | Poco F3 has the option for more onboard storage. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | Both phones have up to 8GB RAM options, which will be suitable for most multitasking scenarios. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Poco F3 offers enhanced audio quality with its advanced features and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both have similar security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has superior screen protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Poco F3 includes a gyroscope, useful for more advanced motion tracking and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, leading to faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities.
- Better Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, smoother visuals, and superior outdoor visibility.
- Enhanced Camera Features: Supports 4K video recording, better low-light photography due to its larger sensor size, and offers digital image stabilization, contributing to better overall photo and video capture.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers provide an immersive and high-quality audio experience.
- More Storage Options: Comes with an option for 256GB of internal storage, compared to the single 128GB option on the Nova Y90.
- Faster WiFi: Supports the WiFi 6 standard, leading to faster wireless speeds and lower latency.
- More Accurate GPS: Dual-band GPS provides better location accuracy.
Practical Implications: The Poco F3 is better suited for performance intensive tasks like gaming, content creation, and media consumption. The display provides a superior viewing experience with better colours, contrast and visibility in sunlight.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides slightly more capacity, potentially leading to better battery life.
- Faster Charging: The 40W charging is a bit faster than the 33W on the Poco F3
- Newer OS out of the box: Ships with Android 13
- Dedicated Secondary and Tertiary Cameras: Provides additional lenses, likely for macro and depth sensing photography.
- Potentially lower price: Being a mid range device, this phone may be available at a lower price point.
Practical Implications: The Nova Y90 is better for users who value longer battery life and a slightly newer Android version. It might also suit budget conscious users.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices some battery capacity and charging speed for superior performance and display. It also lacks dedicated macro/depth cameras.
- Nova Y90: Sacrifices performance, display quality, and camera features for longer battery life, faster charging, and a more budget-friendly device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and GPU handle demanding games with ease, and the high refresh rate display provides smooth visuals.
- Media Consumers: The vibrant AMOLED display with HDR and high brightness makes for a great video viewing experience.
- Content Creators: The ability to record 4K video with EIS and a high-quality front-facing camera will benefit users who create content for social media.
- Power Users: Those who require a fast and responsive phone for multitasking and demanding applications.
Huawei nova Y90 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a reliable phone at a more affordable price.
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize battery life and the latest version of Android.
- Social Media Users: Who need a phone for social media browsing and some casual photography.
- Users that don't require intensive processing: Casual users who do not plan to use the phone for gaming or intensive workloads will be content with this phone's performance.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco F3: High-end gaming, watching HDR content, video editing, and professional photography, using high-performance applications, and demanding multitasking.
- Nova Y90: Basic daily tasks, social media browsing, casual photography, long battery life for travel, and general use with a newer version of Android.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, media consumption, everyday use, budget-conscious)
- How important is performance? (Do you need a snappy phone for demanding tasks, or is a smoother experience enough?)
- What do you value more: Display Quality or Battery Life? (Do you value superior colour and display brightness or longer time between charges?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Needs If you are a gamer or require a phone for demanding apps, then the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice. Its superior chipset, GPU, and display offer an experience that the Nova Y90 simply cannot match.
- Scenario 2: Budget and Battery Focus If you are on a budget and want the latest version of Android, a phone with a long lasting battery, then the Huawei nova Y90 will be the better fit. The slower chipset may be a compromise that will not affect the phone's performance for your needs.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User If you want a balanced phone that does not break the bank with an above average display, then the Xiaomi Poco F3 is a good compromise. The battery life may be slightly worse than the Huawei Nova Y90, but the benefits in performance and screen quality are likely to be worth it.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. Although the Huawei Nova Y90 has some desirable features such as a larger battery and newer OS, the significant advantage that the Poco F3 has in processing power, display quality, and superior video recording capability make it the clear winner for me. I value performance and a good screen over battery life, and I would be able to comfortably get through the day with the Poco F3's battery.
