1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco F3 and Motorola Moto G04s, focusing on their practical implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Poco F3 is slightly wider, Moto G04s is marginally thicker. Overall negligible difference in hand feel for most users. |
| Weight | 196g | 178.8g | Moto G04s is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.56" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Poco F3 has a much sharper display, noticeably clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 395 | 269 | Poco F3 has a higher pixel density, resulting in sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3 offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. Better for outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco F3 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. Note: Motorola G04s brightness spec missing, assuming lower range. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Poco F3 has a significantly more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 220,000 | Poco F3 offers vastly superior performance, suitable for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Poco F3's GPU is much more powerful for graphics-intensive apps and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G04s has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Poco F3 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Moto G04s has a marginally higher resolution, although sensor size is smaller. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco F3 has a slightly wider aperture, better for low-light performance. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Poco F3 has a larger sensor, generally capturing more light and detail. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | Motorola Moto G04s has larger pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 5MP | Poco F3 has a significantly higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Motorola Moto G04s has a wider aperture, better in low-light for the selfie camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 offers higher quality video recording with greater detail and electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| Slow-motion | Up to 960fps | Up to 120fps | Poco F3 offers better capabilities for capturing fast-moving actions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | Moto G04s has a more recent OS out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Poco F3 supports newer WiFi standard for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 | Poco F3 has a newer Bluetooth standard with more audio codec support |
| GPS | More satellite systems | Fewer satellite systems | Poco F3 provides more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB or 256 GB | Similar maximum storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB | Poco F3 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos | Poco F3 provides a more immersive and higher-quality audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide standard biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 has more robust screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco F3 has a more comprehensive suite of sensors, which may be used for more advanced features, and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, better brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate provide a much more enjoyable visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers vastly superior performance in app loading, multitasking, and gaming, making it a much faster phone.
- Better Camera Capabilities: Supports 4K video recording, higher resolution front camera, and larger sensor in the main camera, resulting in better picture quality and more options for capturing photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time compared to 15W on the Moto G04s.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos provides a superior audio experience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions provide faster and more reliable connectivity.
- More Robust Build: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides superior screen protection.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: 5000mAh capacity offers marginally longer battery life.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended usage.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3's advantages come at the cost of a potentially higher price tag (depending on current market conditions) while being an older device, meaning less software updates, while the G04s's advantages come with a substantial drop in performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, media enthusiasts, and anyone who prioritizes performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games smoothly.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies with vibrant colors.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
- Users who prefer higher screen brightness in outdoor environments.
- Price-to-Value: Provides high performance and features for a more budget-friendly price than other phones with the same level of performance.
Motorola Moto G04s:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, casual users, those who prioritize battery life, and users who want a simple, lightweight smartphone.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing.
- Simple photography and video recording.
- Web browsing and email.
- Users who value a lighter weight and a modern version of Android.
- Users who like long battery life.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a good basic smartphone experience for an affordable price.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions when deciding between the Xiaomi Poco F3 and the Motorola Moto G04s:
How much do you prioritize performance?
- If Performance is Key: Poco F3 is the obvious choice, excelling in gaming, multitasking and general speed.
- If Basic Use is Fine: Moto G04s will suffice for day-to-day tasks and offer a more recent software experience.
How important is display quality?
- If a High-Quality Display is Key: The Poco F3's AMOLED display with high resolution, brightness, and refresh rate makes it a superior experience for watching videos and browsing.
- If Basic Viewing is OK: The Moto G04s display is acceptable for basic use, but not as sharp or vibrant.
What is your budget?
- If Price is the top factor: Moto G04s will likely be the more affordable option.
- If You are willing to pay for a better experience: Poco F3 offers a significant performance and feature upgrade for a higher but still budget-friendly price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a student or young professional who uses their phone heavily: The Xiaomi Poco F3. The high performance and quality display will be a big advantage.
- For an older or more casual user: The Motorola Moto G04s offers a lightweight, long-lasting, and simple experience.
- For a gamer or media enthusiast: The Xiaomi Poco F3 is better for gaming and watching videos or movies because of the higher performance, larger high refresh rate display, and better audio.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. The performance difference is simply too significant to ignore, the quality of the screen is much better, and the camera provides a more robust capture experience. Although the Motorola Moto G04s has a newer OS and larger battery, the practical benefits of the Poco F3 in day to day use, especially if you are using the phone for anything beyond very basic usage, will significantly outweigh them.
