1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | Poco F3 is taller and wider, while Edge 50 Pro is thicker. Edge 50 Pro may be slightly easier to hold for smaller hands, Poco F3 offers a larger screen without excessive bulk. |
| Weight | 196g | 186g | Edge 50 Pro is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference, both offer a large screen for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Edge 50 Pro has a noticeably sharper display, especially when viewing high-resolution images and videos. Text will appear clearer. |
| PPI | 395 | 446 | Edge 50 Pro's higher pixel density results in sharper, more detailed visuals. Text and images will be more refined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar display quality; both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Pro's 144Hz refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, which may be noticeable in fast-paced games or when quickly navigating the interface. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | Edge 50 Pro is significantly more visible in bright sunlight, improving usability outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Both are capable processors for daily tasks. While the Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F3 is a slightly older flagship-level chipset, it is still very capable, The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the Edge 50 Pro is a newer mid-range chip, which may be slightly more efficient but offers marginally better performance overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 866,863 | Edge 50 Pro has a slightly better benchmark score suggesting slightly better performance in tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 720 | The Adreno 720 in the Edge 50 Pro offers slightly better graphics performance for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.4 | Edge 50 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.4) gathers more light, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. Larger pixels also improve low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 50MP, f/1.9 | Edge 50 Pro's significantly higher resolution and wider aperture will likely result in much more detailed selfies, especially in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.0 | Edge 50 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities not available on the Poco F3. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | Edge 50 Pro can capture wider scenes, which is useful for landscapes and group photos. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Both record up to 4K, Edge 50 Pro includes HDR for improved dynamic range in videos and improved stablization |
| Additional Features | Digital zoom, EIS, autofocus | Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF, Time-lapse, RAW, Night Mode | The Edge 50 Pro has many advanced camera features like OIS which improves low-light, and stabilization, RAW image support, and optical zoom, offering far greater versatility |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W wired | 125W wired, 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Edge 50 Pro's significantly faster wired charging and wireless charging greatly reduce charging times. The ability to wirelessly reverse charge is convenient for charging accessories. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Reverse charging, wireless charging | Edge 50 Pro offers greater versatility in charging options |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Edge 50 Pro has a more recent OS with better features and will likely receive more updates over time. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Edge 50 Pro has a more advanced WiFi standard for faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Edge 50 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version for better connection stability and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, NavIC | Poco F3 has more global satellite support, potentially improving location accuracy in some regions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Edge 50 Pro has eSIM support, offering greater flexibility in switching carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB or 1024 GB | Edge 50 Pro offers significantly more storage, better for users who need a lot of space for apps, photos, and media. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | Edge 50 Pro has considerably more RAM which improves multitasking and performance for heavy users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, a potential limitation for users with large media libraries. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both offer good audio capabilities; The Poco F3 offers Hi-Res audio while the Edge 50 Pro has additional microphones for improved recording quality. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | In-display fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco F3 uses a side mounted fingerprint, while the Motorola Edge 50 Pro uses an in-display fingerprint sensor, each having its own ergonomic advantages. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Edge 50 Pro offers superior protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor, Fingerprint | Both have all key sensors required for general use, but differ slightly on the proximity sensor implementation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages
- Slightly Lower Weight: A bit lighter at 196g, potentially easier for some to hold for long periods.
- Wider Satellite Support: It supports additional BeiDou satellite navigation.
- Hi-Res Audio: A feature that may be important for audiophiles
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Some prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensors for ergonomic reasons.
- Slightly Lower Price: The Poco F3 is older so likely cheaper
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness result in a sharper, more vibrant display.
- Superior Performance: Slightly better processor and GPU for smoother, quicker performance.
- Vastly Improved Camera System: Features a much better selfie camera and adds telephoto and wide-angle lenses, with OIS and additional features for far greater flexibility and image quality.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduce charging times.
- Wireless Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers larger storage and much more RAM for improved multitasking.
- Newer Software: Runs Android 14 with more updates compared to the older Android 13 on the Poco F3.
- Wi-Fi 7 Support: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds.
- eSIM Support: Ability to use an eSIM for greater carrier flexibility.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection against drops and scratches.
Trade-offs
- Poco F3 trades overall camera versatility, better display and faster charging for a lower price.
- Edge 50 Pro is more expensive but offers much better display, camera, charging and software.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Seeking a balance between performance and cost.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: Users who prefer a lighter phone and don't need the latest flagship features
- Users Who Need Good Performance: For everyday tasks, the Poco F3 offers good performance.
Use Cases:
- General use: web browsing, social media, and media consumption.
- Mobile gaming at good performance settings
- Users needing a basic but reliable smartphone on a budget
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Ideal User
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality images and the versatility of multiple lenses.
- Power Users: Those who need smooth multitasking and fast charging.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who desire cutting-edge technology, fast wireless connectivity and an excellent display.
- Users who prioritize a good software experience: With a newer OS, and more updates.
Use Cases:
- Photography and videography, especially low-light.
- Gaming at higher settings
- Professionals who use their phones extensively for work.
- Users who need the latest features, and very fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The Poco F3 is likely available for less, making it a good budget option. The Edge 50 Pro is a premium choice and may cost significantly more.
- How important is camera quality? If photography is a priority, the Edge 50 Pro is the clear winner with much higher quality and versatility.
- What are your performance needs? For simple tasks, both are fine. However, the Edge 50 Pro offers superior processing and multitasking.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Basic User with a tight budget. Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for basic use cases, but be prepared to make compromises on display, camera and software.
- Scenario 2: Avid Photographer: Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for high-quality photos, versatile lenses and good low-light performance
- Scenario 3: Performance-Focused User: Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for better multitasking and very fast charging.
- Scenario 4: User Needing the Latest Tech: Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for Wi-Fi 7, eSIM and fast charging options.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The significantly improved display with higher resolution and brightness, the far superior camera system with multiple lenses and OIS, the blazing-fast charging speeds and the more recent software are all critical points for me. While the Poco F3 may be available for less, the Edge 50 Pro’s improvements across so many key areas make it worth the investment for me. I prioritize performance, camera flexibility, and fast charging over budget constraints and would appreciate the better screen and software.
