Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Motorola Moto G71 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Motorola Moto G71 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161.2 × 73.9 × 8.5 mm | Poco F3 is slightly larger; G71 is thicker but lighter, which might be preferred for portability and long usage. |
| Weight | 196g | 179g | Moto G71 5G is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold and carry for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger display, which might be preferable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both phones have the same clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 411 | Both phones have similar pixel density, resulting in sharp images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 has a significantly smoother user experience, better for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Specification Missing, likely lower than Poco F3) | Poco F3 offers significantly better outdoor visibility, critical for using the phone in bright sunlight. Moto G71's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco F3 has a much more powerful chipset, providing better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 396,564 | Poco F3 has significantly better performance, leading to smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | Poco F3's GPU is substantially more powerful, leading to superior graphics rendering in games and other demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G71 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life, but needs to be tested in real-world usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones offer the same fast charging speeds. |
| Charging Features | QC3 + / PD3.0 Fast Charging protocol | Non-removable | Poco F3 supports the more common fast charging standards, allowing it to charge more quickly with compatible chargers. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm pixels | Moto G71 has slightly higher resolution; Poco F3 has a wider aperture and larger sensor, likely to perform better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.80µm pixels | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixels, unspecified sensor | Poco F3 has a higher-resolution sensor, however, the Moto G71 has a wider aperture, leading to better performance in low-light and potentially better depth-of-field |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixels, unspecified sensor | Moto G71 has a wide-angle lens, which enables users to capture wider scenes. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, unspecified sensor & pixel size | Moto G71 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, Various 1080p fps, Slow-mo: 960 fps | Up to 1080p@60fps, Slow-mo: 60fps | Poco F3 offers much better video recording capabilities, including 4K resolution and higher slow-motion frame rates. |
| Camera Features | 4K, Digital zoom, Triple camera, DIS, AF, Touch focus, MF, Continuous, Geotag, Panorama, HDR, Face Detect, WB settings, ISO, Exposure comp, Scene, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, DIS, AF, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous, Geotag, Panorama, HDR, Face Detect, WB settings, ISO, Exposure comp, Scene, Self-timer, RAW | Poco F3 provides the benefit of 4K video recording and manual focus control; Moto G71 benefits from Optical Zoom, PDAF, LAF and RAW, but doesn't record in 4K. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradeable to 13 | Android 11, Upgradeable to 12 | Poco F3 is upgradable to a newer version of Android, which may result in long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, MIMO | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Poco F3 has WiFi 6 for faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks; Xiaomi Poco F3 additionally supports: Wi-Fi MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0, LE, A2DP | Poco F3 has a newer version of Bluetooth with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5, B1, E1+E5a, B2, NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Poco F3 has more satellite support, potentially leading to more accurate location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | Poco F3 has up to double the storage, crucial for users with many apps, photos, or videos. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both have adequate RAM for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards, meaning you’re stuck with the internal memory. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Poco F3 has better audio output with stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio. Moto G71 has better mic capabilities for calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco F3 has a more convenient side fingerprint sensor; Moto G71 has a more standard rear sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has screen protection; Moto G71's protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Poco F3 has a more comprehensive set of sensors, potentially offering better functionality in apps and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 870 provides much better CPU and GPU performance, beneficial for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness for smoother visuals and better outdoor usability.
- Advanced Video Recording: 4K video recording capabilities and higher slow-motion capabilities.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Hi-Res audio enhance media consumption.
- More Storage Options: Up to 256GB internal storage available.
- Better Wi-Fi standard: Supports the newer WiFi 6 standard.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Supports Bluetooth 5.1 with better audio codec support
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides added durability.
- Better GPS Support: More satellite support, potentially resulting in more accurate location.
Motorola Moto G71 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Slightly lighter for comfortable use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The G71 has a slightly bigger battery, and may result in longer life.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Provides the ability to take wide-angle shots, and has a dedicated macro lens.
- Optical zoom: Includes optical zoom, along with Laser and phase detection autofocus.
- Raw Image Capture: Allows users to capture raw images.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Loses the wide-angle and macro lenses; potentially lower battery life due to a smaller battery, but might be compensated by better chipset efficiency, and it is heavier.
- Moto G71 5G: Significantly lower performance, lacks 4K video, lower display refresh rate and brightness, less storage options, no stereo speakers, older Bluetooth version, limited GPS support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, media consumers, those who value performance, better display, and camera features.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: High refresh rate, powerful GPU, and processing for smoother gameplay.
- Media Consumption: Vivid colors, stereo speakers, and High-Res audio for an immersive experience.
- Content Creation: High-quality video recording, manual focus control, and video editing.
- Multitasking: Running multiple apps simultaneously with minimal lag.
Motorola Moto G71 5G:
- Ideal User: Casual users, photographers who value wide-angle and macro lens, individuals preferring a lighter phone, those with basic needs, and users who value a long battery.
- Use Cases:
- Photography: Wide-angle and macro lens capture diverse shots, and raw image capability for editing.
- Everyday tasks: Making calls, browsing social media, basic app usage.
- Longer battery use: Casual use with a slightly larger battery capacity.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: Moto G71 is significantly lighter, making it ideal for extended use.
Price-to-Value:
- Poco F3: Offers a higher performance and more advanced features, justifying a higher price tag. Excellent value for performance users.
- Moto G71: Provides more basic functionality at a likely lower price. It is better suited for casual users on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use, etc.).
- How important is performance for me? (Do I prioritize smooth usage, or is it okay if it is slightly less responsive?)
- What are my priorities? (Display quality, camera capabilities, battery life, price).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers/Power Users: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 due to its superior performance, high refresh rate display, and better audio.
- For Casual Users/Photographers: Choose the Motorola Moto G71 5G for its lighter design, slightly larger battery, wide-angle and macro lens, and raw image capture capabilities.
- For Media Consumers: The Poco F3, with its higher-resolution video, higher brightness, stereo speakers, and Hi-Res audio is a clear winner.
- For Users who value outdoor visibility: The Xiaomi Poco F3 is essential due to its high brightness of 1300 nits, which makes it more usable in direct sunlight.
- For Users with limited budget: The Moto G71 is a good budget option with adequate functionality, whereas the Poco F3 may cost more.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola Moto G71 5G offers some advantages, the Poco F3 provides a much more compelling package for my needs. I prioritize performance, and the difference between the Snapdragon 870 and the Snapdragon 695 is night and day. Furthermore, the 120Hz display and 1300 nits brightness are critical for a seamless user experience, especially outdoors, and are unmatched in the Moto G71. Additionally, having better video recording capabilities, including 4K and high slow-motion frame rate is a major draw, making it a better choice for media creation and consumption. The superior audio experience provided by the stereo speakers, and Hi-Res Audio are also a plus. While the Poco F3 is slightly heavier and might have a smaller battery, these are trade-offs that I am willing to make for the performance and display gains, as well as the other additional benefits. The only downside to the Poco F3 that I can see is the lack of a wide angle and macro lens, however, for me this is not as impactful as the other benefits it brings.
