1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 169.5 × 77.5 × 9.4 mm | Poco F3 is more compact and thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 196g | 217.5g | Poco F3 is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Moto G Stylus 5G offers a slightly larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness for everyday use. |
| PPI | 395 | 387 | Both have very similar pixel densities, providing comparable visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3's AMOLED display has deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, enhancing media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 has smoother animations, more fluid gaming, and a more responsive feel overall. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not specified) | Poco F3's significantly higher brightness ensures better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Motorola G Stylus 5G brightness is unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) | Poco F3 has substantially better performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 171,000 | Poco F3 performs significantly faster in benchmarks, showing much better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | Poco F3’s GPU provides substantially better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4000mAh | Poco F3 likely provides longer battery life due to its higher capacity. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 10W fast charging | Poco F3 charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for the battery to fill. |
| Battery Technology | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer in Poco F3 offers better longevity and higher power density than Li-Ion. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", IMX582 | 48MP, f/1.7, No sensor info. | Moto G Stylus 5G has slightly wider aperture; Poco F3 sensor is known |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", S5K3T2 | 20MP, f/2.0, No sensor info. | Moto G Stylus 5G has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies, no sensor information provided |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 16MP, f/2.2, No sensor info. | Moto G Stylus 5G has a wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot, no sensor information provided |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | Yes, No sensor info | Moto G Stylus 5G has depth information capabilities, sensor info not provided |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.2, 1.75µm, No sensor info | Moto G Stylus 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, no sensor information provided |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | Poco F3 supports higher-resolution 4K video recording. |
| Video Slow-mo | 1080p@960fps | 1080p@120fps | Poco F3 has much slower slow-motion capabilities |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Up to 13 | Android 11, Up to 12 | Poco F3 is upgradable to Android 13, potentially offering more features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Poco F3 supports faster WiFi 6 standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 with advanced codecs | 5.0 | Poco F3 has a newer Bluetooth version and better audio codec support for higher fidelity audio streaming. |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Basic GPS options | Poco F3 offers more reliable and accurate GPS, especially in urban areas. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128GB | Poco F3 can have more storage, good for large media libraries. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 4GB | Poco F3 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage, which is a notable limitation. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Basic | Poco F3 provides a superior audio experience with richer sound, better immersion, and spatial audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side fingerprint sensor | Rear fingerprint sensor | Poco F3’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient for unlocking while holding the device. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has better scratch resistance with Gorilla Glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Comprehensive list | Limited list | Poco F3 has more sensors that improve its motion capabilities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better processing and graphics power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities.
- Better Display: The AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a more vibrant, smoother, and more responsive visual experience, along with higher brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is significantly quicker than 10W charging, reducing charging time.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers provide an enhanced audio experience, great for music and media.
- Future-Proofing: Upgradable to Android 13, it's likely to get better software support. Newer WiFi and Bluetooth also offer a slight edge.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Advantages:
- Stylus Integration: While not highlighted in the raw specs, the inclusion of a stylus is a key advantage for note-taking, drawing, and precise navigation.
- Macro and Wide-angle Lens: The presence of a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens provide more versatility when taking photos, although the quality and lack of sensor information are unknown
- ToF 3D sensor: Adds additional depth information to camera capabilities
Practical Implications and Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 excels in performance and media consumption, while the Moto G Stylus 5G focuses on productivity and creative uses with the stylus.
- The Poco F3 makes some camera sacrifices for performance; its lack of a wide or macro camera make it less versatile.
- The Moto G Stylus 5G falls behind on performance, display quality, and charging speeds.
- The Poco F3 has no expandable storage, while the Moto G Stylus 5G does not offer any either, which could be a dealbreaker for some users
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate display will provide a much better gaming experience.
- Media Enthusiasts: The vibrant AMOLED display and superior audio make it a great option for watching videos and listening to music.
- Users Needing Speed and Responsiveness: Those who prioritize performance and smooth multitasking will appreciate the powerful processor and generous RAM.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Users who want the latest features like WiFi 6 and more advanced audio codecs.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G Ideal Users:
- Note-Takers & Sketchers: The stylus provides an excellent tool for handwritten notes, annotations, and quick sketches.
- Users needing camera versatility: The included macro, wide-angle and ToF sensors give versatility at the expense of picture quality.
- Budget-Conscious Users: May find this phone attractive if looking for a midrange phone with a stylus and is willing to make sacrifices in the performance department.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco F3: Ideal for high-end mobile gaming, video streaming, content creation, and general productivity where responsiveness is key.
- Moto G Stylus 5G: Best suited for tasks involving note-taking, annotation, basic photo capture, and those who prefer a larger screen with stylus input.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 is likely to offer better value for those prioritizing performance and display quality.
- The Moto G Stylus 5G has the unique appeal of the stylus, which might make it a better value for a smaller group of users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you value most? Is it top-tier performance, a vibrant display and great audio or do you need a stylus, versatility in the camera and good battery life?
- What is your budget? While not specified, these phones are at different price points which might be the driving factor.
- Do you need expandable storage? Both of the phones in question do not provide an expandable storage option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Focused): If you plan on heavy gaming, content creation, or multitasking, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear winner due to its superior performance and display.
- Scenario 2 (Creative and Productive): If you require stylus input for note-taking, sketching, and easy navigation, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you need a balanced option for general usage, media consumption, and light productivity, the Xiaomi Poco F3 provides a better overall user experience if you are willing to not have the wide angle and macro lenses.
My Choice
Given my preferences, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Here's why:
- Performance is King: As someone who frequently uses demanding apps, plays mobile games and does a lot of multitasking, the performance advantage of the Snapdragon 870 is significant. It’s a clear step up from the Snapdragon 480 and will provide a much smoother and more responsive experience.
- Superior Visuals: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is much more appealing to me. The deep blacks and vibrant colors offered by AMOLED are a huge plus, and the smoothness from the higher refresh rate is noticeable daily.
- Faster Charging: I appreciate the convenience of fast charging, and the 33W charging of the Poco F3 is much faster than the Moto G Stylus 5G’s 10W charging.
- Better Audio Experience: I do a lot of media consumption, thus the enhanced audio experience from Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio is very appealing to me.
While the stylus integration of the Moto G Stylus 5G is interesting, and the additional cameras are nice for versatility, the performance and display differences make the Poco F3 more attractive.
