Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Motorola Edge 40
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 158.4 × 72 × 7.6 mm | The Poco F3 is larger and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use or smaller hands, while the Edge 40 is more compact and ergonomic. |
| Weight | 196g | 167g | The Edge 40 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and easier to carry in a pocket. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (screen) | Unknown (screen) | The Poco F3 has verified screen protection; the Edge 40's screen protection is unspecified. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.55" | The Poco F3 has a slightly larger display, offering a bit more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same crispness, resulting in similar visual clarity for everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 402 | Both provide very similar sharpness; differences will be barely noticeable in regular usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both are high-quality display technologies, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. Differences in real-world usage are likely minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 40 has a smoother screen experience with faster refresh rate, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | The Poco F3 offers better visibility in bright outdoor environments. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8020 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 is a proven performer with better-established performance in demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 762,526 | The Poco F3 has a slightly better benchmark score, indicating better overall processing power for demanding games and applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Adreno 650 is known for its gaming prowess, while the Mali-G77 MC9 is still competent but may not perform as well in very graphically intensive games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.55", Omnivision OV50A, 1.00µm | The Edge 40 has a larger sensor, wider aperture, and larger pixels, meaning it will likely perform better in low-light conditions and have better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.80µm | 32MP, f/2.4, Unknown sensor, 0.70µm | The Edge 40 has a higher resolution and wider aperture, suggesting better selfie quality, however, the sensor is unspecified, making a definitive judgement harder. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | None | 13MP, f/2.2, Unknown sensor, 1.12µm | The Edge 40 has a dedicated wide-angle and macro camera, offering more versatility. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS; No stabilization | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR & EIS; Yes stabilization (unspecified type) | The Edge 40 provides HDR video recording and unspecified stabilization. The Poco F3 relies on EIS and doesn't use HDR. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Manual focus | Dual camera, OIS, PDAF, LAF | The Edge 40's Optical Image Stabilization and laser autofocus are advantageous for sharper photos, especially in low light. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4400mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life under normal usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | The Edge 40 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | QC3+ / PD3.0 fast charging | 15W Wireless Charging | The Edge 40 also has wireless charging, offering added convenience; Poco F3 offers a broader fast-charging protocol compatibility. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | The Edge 40 ships with a newer version of Android, offering a more modern software experience and longer update support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer Wi-Fi 6 for fast and reliable connections. The Poco F3 has additional Wi-Fi MiMO support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The Edge 40 features a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering slightly better connectivity and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1) | The Poco F3 has a broader range of satellite systems, potentially resulting in more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Edge 40 supports eSIM, allowing users more flexibility in using multiple cellular plans. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB | The Poco F3 offers a 128 GB option for more budget-conscious users, while the Edge 40 only offers 256GB. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8GB | The Edge 40 has 8GB RAM, sufficient for smooth multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which could limit the amount of data you can store locally. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both provide great stereo sound; the Edge 40 benefits from having 3 microphones which would help with sound recording. The Poco F3 offers Hi-Res Audio. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Poco F3 is generally considered faster and more convenient than basic sensors. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 40 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have an adequate range of sensors. The Poco F3 has an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: The Snapdragon 870 and Adreno 650 GPU are better for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Brighter Display: 100 nits higher peak brightness offers better outdoor visibility.
- Wider Satellite support: Offers more satellite coverage for more accurate location tracking.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers higher quality audio playback for audiophiles.
- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner: Generally considered more responsive and convenient.
Motorola Edge 40 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience.
- Superior Camera: Larger sensor, wider aperture, OIS and autofocus for better low-light and photo quality.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Wireless Charging: Offers added convenience for charging.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 13 and is upgradable to 15, offering more modern software and longer support.
- eSIM Support: Allows more flexibility with multiple cellular plans.
- Better video quality and stabilization: Offers HDR video recording and unspecified stabilization.
- Additional microphone: Better sound recording with 3 microphones.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Offers better performance but loses out on modern features like eSIM, wireless charging, and camera.
- Edge 40: Has a better all-around experience, but its performance is slightly lower than the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and GPU are suited for gaming, especially at higher settings.
- Power Users: Individuals who prioritize processing speed and performance for heavy applications.
- Outdoor Users: Who need better visibility under sunlight.
- Users who want better location accuracy: User may require the additional satellite support for accurate tracking and navigation.
Motorola Edge 40 Ideal User:
- General Consumers: Who seek a balanced phone with a good display, camera, and fast charging.
- Content Creators: Who need a versatile camera setup.
- Users who like lighter, smaller phones: The phone is lighter and more compact.
- Users who value the latest software: The newer Android and upgradeability offer a better software experience and longer update support.
- Users who value convenience: Wireless charging is useful for convenience.
- Users who travel a lot: eSIM allows for easier switching of carriers.
Use Case Examples:
- Gaming: The Poco F3 will provide slightly better performance in demanding games.
- Photography: The Edge 40's superior sensor, OIS, and autofocus will offer better photo quality, particularly in low-light scenarios.
- Video recording: The Edge 40 offers HDR video recording with superior stabilization.
- Daily use: The Edge 40's lighter and compact design is more comfortable for everyday tasks.
- Travel: The Edge 40’s eSIM support makes it easy to switch between carriers abroad.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 tends to be priced lower due to its age, making it a good value option for performance-focused users on a budget.
- The Edge 40 typically has a higher price due to its modern features. It offers a better overall experience for a user willing to pay more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance for gaming or heavy apps? (Poco F3 excels)
- Do you prefer a modern, versatile camera with faster charging? (Edge 40 excels)
- How much does convenience and a more compact design matter? (Edge 40 excels)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Gamer: If you prioritize raw gaming power and have a limited budget, the Poco F3 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Casual User, Photo Enthusiast: If you prioritize a better camera, faster charging, and a more modern software experience, the Edge 40 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler: The Edge 40’s eSIM support, and better battery life (due to more efficient charging) is very useful.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: If your primary focus is performance on a budget, the Poco F3 is a good option.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go for the Motorola Edge 40. While the Poco F3 has a slight edge in raw processing power, the Edge 40 offers a much more balanced and modern package. The superior camera, faster charging, wireless charging, eSIM support and smoother display make it a more appealing device for my needs. I value the convenience of a smaller, lighter phone with more modern features. The Edge 40’s better software support is another significant advantage, ensuring I get a longer lifespan out of the device. While the Poco F3 is excellent for gaming, the Edge 40 provides an overall better user experience for me.
