1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco F3 and the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 163 x 76 x 8 mm | Motorola slightly shorter and wider and thicker. Minimal difference, both comfortable for most users. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | Motorola is lighter, which might be preferable during long holding times. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Both screens are almost identical in size. Difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer good detail for most content consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 395 ppi | 385 ppi | Negligible difference, both displays will appear equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are high-quality display technologies, both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's display is slightly smoother, but the difference is only noticeable to very keen eyes. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a significantly brighter screen, leading to better outdoor visibility. (Motorola brightness is missing) |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Identical performance; both handle demanding tasks with ease and excellent gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 813,800 | Both offer nearly identical performance levels, difference will not be noticeable. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 | Both have the same graphic performance. Good for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Motorola's higher resolution should result in more detailed shots. Xiaomi's wider aperture might be better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | Motorola's higher resolution captures more detail; wider aperture for potentially better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/3.4 | Motorola has telephoto lens which enables optical zoom, not available in Xiaomi. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has dedicated wide angle and macro camera, not available in Xiaomi. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Motorola offers 8K recording, which provides greater detail for video. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Similar battery life; expect similar endurance in daily use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xiaomi charges slightly faster, reducing charging times. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Reverse charging | Xiaomi offers wider compatibility with charging standards; Motorola can charge other devices wirelessly. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer the same max storage space. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | Motorola has more RAM which can lead to smoother performance when multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage, so users need to buy the right capacity for their needs |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Xiaomi offer higher quality audio with Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers, offering a better listening experience. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (unknown upgradability) | Xiaomi offers more guaranteed OS upgrades, which means longer support for the phone |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility with 1300 nits brightness.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging versus Motorola's 30W, slightly faster recharge times.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers, offering a more immersive audio experience.
- More Guaranteed OS Upgrades: Guaranteed to get upgraded to Android 13
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Better Camera System: 108MP main camera, telephoto lens, and wide-angle/macro lens provides more versatility.
- Higher Video Resolution: 8K video recording compared to Poco's 4K.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM for better multitasking and performance under heavy loads.
- Slightly Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a slightly more fluid experience, albeit barely noticeable.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
Trade-offs:
- Display Brightness: Motorola lacks the brightness of Xiaomi's, which can make it harder to use outdoors.
- Audio Experience: Xiaomi has a more enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers and Hi-Res audio.
- Camera Versatility: Xiaomi lacks the telephoto and ultrawide lens which offers more versatility for photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Ideal User:
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor visibility to you? (Xiaomi wins here with much higher brightness)
- Do you prioritize camera versatility and video recording quality over other features? (Motorola offers more advanced camera features)
- How important is audio quality to you and do you value stereo speakers? (Xiaomi offers Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Outdoor Use: If you often use your phone in bright sunlight, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better choice due to its much brighter display.
- Scenario 2: Photography & Videography Focus: If you need high-resolution photos, 8K video, a telephoto lens, and a wide-angle lens, then the Motorola Edge 20 Pro is a much more suitable choice.
- Scenario 3: Budget Conscious & General Use: If you want a great all-rounder with good performance and a good display and do not need the advanced camera features, the Xiaomi Poco F3 offers great value for its price point.
- Scenario 4: Power User & Multitasking: The Motorola Edge 20 Pro's 12GB of RAM makes it more suitable for those who heavily multitask between apps and games.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. Here's why:
- Display Brightness: The significantly higher brightness of the Poco F3 is a huge advantage for me as I use my phone outdoors quite often. This is a make-or-break feature in my opinion.
- Audio Quality: I heavily consume media, and the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers on the Xiaomi makes it a much more attractive option for me.
- Value: The Xiaomi still delivers excellent performance with the same chipset as the Motorola. I also do not need the camera versatility of the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, hence I am happy to sacrifice it.
- More guaranteed software updates: The Poco F3 is guaranteed to get updated to Android 13, giving it a longer lifespan.
While the Motorola Edge 20 Pro has a more versatile camera and the 12 GB of RAM, the Poco F3's brighter display, enhanced audio features, value for the money, and guaranteed software updates make it the more practical and preferable choice for my use case.
