1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | The Poco F3 is slightly taller and wider but thinner, while the Pura 70 Ultra is more compact but thicker, possibly making the Pura 70 Ultra slightly more pocketable. |
| Weight | 196g | 226g | The Poco F3 is significantly lighter, likely more comfortable for extended use. The Pura 70 Ultra may feel more substantial in hand. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 front | Unknown front protection | Poco F3 offers known scratch and impact resistance; Huawei Pura 70 Ultra's front protection is unspecified. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger display, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra's higher resolution will result in a noticeably sharper and more detailed picture. |
| PPI | 395 | 460 | Pura 70 Ultra's higher pixel density translates to clearer text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra's significantly higher brightness offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Both are capable chipsets. The Pura 70 Ultra scores higher on benchmarks, implying better real-world performance, though differences in software and other factors affect real use. |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 869,707 | Pura 70 Ultra has slightly better benchmark performance, potentially leading to smoother performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Maleoon 910 | Different GPU architectures; Pura 70 Ultra's GPU, while benchmarked higher, might perform differently across different applications and games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Rear (Standard) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" Sony IMX989 | Pura 70 Ultra's larger sensor and wider aperture will capture more light and detail, especially in low light, resulting in better image quality; Xiaomi Poco F3 does not have an Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), which will result in shakier photos. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 13MP, f/2.4, Omnivision | Poco F3 has a higher resolution selfie camera, while the Pura 70 Ultra has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto | None | 50MP, f/2.1, Omnivision | Pura 70 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, lacking in Poco F3. |
| Wide Angle | None | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" Omnivision OV40A | Pura 70 Ultra provides the flexibility of wide angle shots; Poco F3 lacks this feature |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K, OIS and Ultra stable video | Pura 70 Ultra has superior video capabilities with OIS and ultra stable video. |
| DxOMark Score | None | 163 (Mobile) | Pura 70 Ultra's higher DxOMark score indicates better overall image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra's larger battery should provide longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 100W fast charging, 80W wireless | Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, with both wired and wireless options. |
| Features | Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 | Reverse charging, 80W wireless charging, 20W reverse wireless charging | Pura 70 Ultra offers significantly more battery features, including the ability to charge other devices and has faster charging capabilities. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Unknown | Pura 70 Ultra is likely running a much newer OS version out of the box. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 16GB | Pura 70 Ultra's 16 GB of RAM offers much smoother performance, especially when multitasking. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 512GB or 1024GB | Pura 70 Ultra provides significantly more storage, useful for large media libraries and many apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco F3 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor that is easier to use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use, especially for people who prefer a less hefty phone.
- Potentially Lower Cost: As an older model, the Poco F3 is likely more affordable on the used market.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More advanced fingerprint security with faster unlocks.
- Hi-Res Audio: Slightly better audio capabilities.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers a known level of durability.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Significantly better image quality, especially in low light, with a larger sensor, better aperture, and OIS. It also offers the added flexibility of telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Higher Resolution Display: Noticeably sharper and more detailed screen.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Much quicker charging times for both wired and wireless options.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life between charges.
- More RAM: Significantly more RAM for demanding tasks and multitasking.
- More Storage: Significantly higher base storage for users who need a lot of space.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Provides higher transfer speeds and stability
- More Advanced GPS: Better location accuracy due to the large number of supported systems.
- Optical Zoom: Ability to zoom with a high resolution without losing quality.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: While lighter and potentially cheaper, its camera, display, and performance lag behind the Pura 70 Ultra.
- Pura 70 Ultra: Heavier and likely more expensive, but offers superior performance in almost every other area, with some unknown specifications like screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a capable phone with solid performance at a lower price point.
- Users who prioritize lightweight design: Prefer a lighter phone for everyday use and comfortable handling.
- Users with basic camera needs: Don't need professional-level photography capabilities, but still want decent images.
- Users who listen to music: Benefit from Hi-Res audio and better audio capabilities
- Users who rely on fingerprint unlock: They would appreciate the faster and easier side-mounted option.
- Use Cases: Everyday social media use, basic photography, streaming videos, general productivity tasks, listening to music.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra Ideal User:
- Photography enthusiasts: Looking for top-tier camera performance, especially in low light and with telephoto capabilities.
- Power users: Need a phone for intensive tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Users who consume media frequently: They appreciate a large, bright, high-resolution display.
- Users who want long battery life and fast charging: Need a phone that lasts all day and can recharge quickly.
- Users with large media libraries: Require significantly more storage for photos, videos, and files.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, heavy gaming, editing videos, watching high-resolution content, power user tasks, all-day use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? The Pura 70 Ultra will likely be significantly more expensive than the Poco F3.
- Camera Needs: How important is camera quality to you? Do you need advanced features like optical zoom and excellent low-light performance?
- Performance and Battery: Do you need top-tier performance for demanding tasks and long battery life with fast charging, or is adequate performance and battery life sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User Needing a Decent All-Rounder:
- Recommendation: If you're on a tight budget and need a phone for everyday tasks, the Poco F3 is a good choice. However, be aware that the camera, display and overall performance is less impressive than the Pura 70 Ultra.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast with No Budget Limits:
- Recommendation: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the clear winner due to its superior camera system. It also has a premium display, better performance, and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Power User Needing Maximum Performance:
- Recommendation: The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the more capable phone with significantly more RAM, better performance, a larger and brighter screen, and a better camera.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. While it is expected to be much more expensive, it offers a superior experience in almost every category that matters to me. I value camera performance, and the Pura 70 Ultra's camera system is much better. Furthermore, the brighter display, faster charging, larger battery, and substantially higher RAM make it a significantly better device for my use cases. I also prefer a device with optical zoom capabilities that the Poco F3 does not offer. Even if I am not going to use all of its features, it's always better to have it than not, and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra provides a future-proof experience. The Poco F3 is good but only for someone with basic smartphone needs on a low budget.
