1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | Similar size, but Motorola is slightly thicker and has a marginally larger volume; may feel slightly bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 196g | Identical weight, negligible difference in terms of in-hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Virtually identical screen size; won't make much difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide a clear and detailed viewing experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 393 | Negligible difference in pixel density, resulting in a similar perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display technologies offering excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola's 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced games and UI navigation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi’s much higher brightness (1300 nits) significantly enhances visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola's newer chipset offers significantly higher performance, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,061,400 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has about a 33% higher AnTuTu score, indicating a performance advantage in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Motorola's newer GPU provides a noticeable improvement in graphics performance, especially in graphically intensive games and applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4800mAh | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a slightly larger battery, which may result in slightly longer battery life, especially under heavy use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Motorola Edge 30 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse charging 5W | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers added convenience with wireless charging and reverse charging, while Xiaomi supports common fast charging protocols. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.0µm | Motorola has a slightly higher resolution, a slightly narrower aperture, a larger sensor and bigger pixels, often resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.61µm | Motorola has a much higher resolution, a slightly wider aperture, and larger sensor leading to better detail and low-light selfies. |
| Depth Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor, aiding in portrait mode effects. |
| Wide/Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle/macro lens, adding versatility to the camera system. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 8K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Motorola Edge 30 Pro supports significantly higher video resolution (8K), as well as HDR and EIS across more modes. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 101, Photo: 107, Video: 102 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro's camera system has been tested, resulting in a decent score with great performance for photos and videos. |
| Camera Features | Many features such as: 4K Video, Digital zoom...etc. | Many features including 8K Video, OIS, Ultra stable video...etc. | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has additional features such as: 8K Video, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus and Night Mode |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Motorola ships with a slightly newer Android version, but both are upgradable to the same version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities, with the Xiaomi offering Wi-Fi MiMO, enhancing Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering slightly better connection stability and energy efficiency. |
| GPS | More satellite systems (L1+L5, etc) | L1+L5, SUPL | Xiaomi offers support for more satellite systems, potentially leading to slightly better location accuracy, but the difference is minimal for most users. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Motorola offers a 512 GB storage option, providing more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers more RAM, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which can be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both offer stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, but Xiaomi includes Hi-Res Audio, while Motorola has 3 microphones (which may help in better call quality). |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature side-mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi offers better screen protection with Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both phones feature basic sensors; Xiaomi additionally has: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Motorola additionally has: Proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly brighter display: The 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Superior Screen protection: The Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection compared to Gorilla Glass 3.
- Hi-Res Audio: provides a slightly better audio experience than the Motorola.
- More Satellite Systems: Offers support for more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: enhances Wi-Fi performance.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Superior performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers noticeably faster performance compared to the Snapdragon 870.
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz provides a smoother scrolling experience compared to 120Hz.
- Faster charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Wireless and reverse charging: Added convenience with 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging.
- Better camera system: Higher resolution main and front cameras, dedicated depth and wide/macro lenses, and 8K video recording.
- More RAM and Storage: Available in 8GB/12GB and has a 512GB storage option for those who require it
- More advanced camera features: Including OIS, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, PDAF, LAF, and Night Mode
- Newer Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers slightly better energy efficiency and connection stability compared to 5.1.
- Microphones: Contains 3 Microphones that may help with call quality.
- Better camera performance based on DXOMark: Has been tested for Mobile camera resulting in good results.
- Newer OS: Shipped with a newer OS (Android 12) compared to the Xiaomi (Android 11)
Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco F3 sacrifices raw performance and camera versatility for a brighter screen and potentially lower price point.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro provides a top-tier camera, performance and convenient features, but at the cost of screen brightness in bright light and older screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 - Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking excellent value for money, prioritizing display brightness and reliable performance over cutting-edge features.
- Outdoor users: Individuals who frequently use their phones in bright sunlight, where the higher brightness screen is invaluable.
- Users that value audio: Those who value high-quality audio due to the Hi-Res Audio feature.
Use Cases:
- Daily web browsing, social media, and media consumption
- Gaming with good, but not top-tier, performance
- Photography in good lighting conditions
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight
- People who prefer older screen protection for less risk of cracking from drops
- People who want better location accuracy when using GPS.
- People who want slightly better Wi-Fi performance.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro - Ideal Users:
- Performance enthusiasts: Gamers and power users who demand the fastest performance for demanding tasks and applications.
- Camera-centric users: Those who prioritize camera quality and versatility, valuing high resolution, multiple lenses, and 8K video capabilities.
- Convenience-focused users: Users who prefer wireless charging and the convenience of reverse charging for other devices.
- People who require more storage and RAM: Can be purchased with more RAM and storage than the Xiaomi.
Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming and demanding apps
- High-resolution photography and videography
- Wireless charging for convenience
- Professionals who need good microphones and reliable performance
- People who want a more recent version of Android preinstalled.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If you frequently use your phone outdoors, the Xiaomi's brighter screen is a major advantage.
- What level of performance do you need? If you're a gamer or power user, the Motorola's superior chipset will be more beneficial.
- How important are camera features and quality? If you prioritize camera versatility and high-resolution video, the Motorola is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Outdoor User: If you prioritize affordability and need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance Enthusiast/Mobile Gamer: If you demand the fastest performance and want high-end camera capabilities, then the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Camera-Focused User: If you value camera versatility and high-resolution video recording, the Motorola Edge 30 Pro offers a much better and more versatile camera system.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. Despite the advantage in screen brightness provided by the Xiaomi Poco F3, the Motorola's superior performance, faster charging, better camera system, and wireless charging capabilities are more compelling for my daily usage. I value the ability to multitask smoothly, capture great photos and videos, and have a phone that can keep up with demanding tasks. Although the Xiaomi has advantages in some areas like screen protection and brightness, the overall package of the Motorola Edge 30 Pro fits my needs better.
