1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Nokia G100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 166.6 × 76.7 × 8.9 mm | Poco F3 is slightly smaller and thinner, making it potentially more comfortable to hold. G100 is taller and thicker |
| Weight | 196g | 195.1g | Virtually identical weights, negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.52" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Poco F3's display is noticeably sharper, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. G100's display might look pixelated to some users. |
| PPI | 395 | 269 | Poco F3 provides a significantly sharper display with much more detail, while the G100 might appear less detailed |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3 has superior display technology offering deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors and is better for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 has smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing overall user experience, while G100 may feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 is much more visible in bright sunlight. G100's brightness is not available, making outdoor use unpredictable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Poco F3 offers much higher performance, suitable for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, while G100 is suited for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 201,615 | Poco F3 is significantly faster, with quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. G100 is considerably slower for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Poco F3's graphics performance is significantly better, offering superior gaming experiences. G100 is fine for casual games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | G100 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly better battery life in typical use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 15W fast charging | Poco F3 charges much faster, reducing downtime. G100 will take longer to fully charge. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79 | 13MP, f/2.0 | Poco F3's main camera has much higher resolution, resulting in more detailed photos, and its wider aperture might perform better in low light. |
| Front Camera | 20MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.4 | Poco F3 has a higher resolution front camera, capturing more detailed selfies. The difference in aperture is negligible. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | G100 offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame, a feature missing on Poco F3. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | G100 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. Poco F3 lacks a dedicated sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 can record higher resolution videos, resulting in sharper and more detailed footage. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Manual Focus | Night Mode | Poco F3 has 4K video recording and manual focus, great for users wanting finer control of their cameras. The G100 offers a dedicated night mode. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 | G100 has a newer out of the box OS. Poco F3 is upgradable to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Poco F3 has the newer Wi-Fi standard, offering potentially faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Poco F3 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. Supports higher quality codecs for Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | More systems | Basic | Poco F3 has more accurate GPS with wider support for different navigation systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones share these sim features. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/128GB | Poco F3 offers significantly more internal storage for apps and media at higher end and has a 128GB option. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB | Poco F3 provides considerably more RAM for smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users must rely on internal storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | Poco F3 has enhanced sound quality and a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers. The G100 features 2 microphones for enhanced voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide similar fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 has better screen protection, making it less prone to scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Fingerprint, Proximity Sensor | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Barometer, Proximity Sensor | Nokia G100 includes a Barometer. Poco F3 includes a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 offers significantly higher processing power, better gaming performance, and smoother multitasking.
- Excellent Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate provides better color reproduction, contrast, and smoothness than the G100’s LCD. The significantly higher brightness makes outdoor use easier.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution cameras, including the 4K video capability, capture more detail. The primary camera has a wider aperture for better low light performance.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is much quicker than the G100's 15W.
- More RAM/Storage: More RAM and storage options ensure better performance, more responsive multitasking and more space for media.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers for immersive audio experiences.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and a wider range of GPS systems for enhanced wireless and navigation capabilities.
- Gorilla Glass 5: More durable screen.
Nokia G100 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: Might offer marginally longer battery life for general use, though this is likely offset by less efficient display tech and chip.
- Wide Angle Camera: Has an additional wide angle lens which can be useful for photography.
- Dedicated Portrait Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots.
- Barometer: Has a barometer which can be helpful for hikers or people who live in mountainous areas.
- Newer OS out of the Box: Comes with a slightly newer version of android than the Poco F3.
Cheaper Price likely offers a much more budget-friendly price. Trade-offs:
Xiaomi Poco F3: Trades slightly larger battery and additional camera sensors for performance, screen quality, and faster charging. It lacks a barometer.
- Nokia G100: Trades significantly lower performance, display quality, and a slower charging experience for an additional wide-angle lens and potentially a lower price tag.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Benefits from the high-performance processor, GPU, and smooth 120Hz display.
- Media Consumers: AMOLED display and stereo speakers are excellent for watching videos and movies.
- Power Users: Multitasking with lots of apps open is easier with the ample RAM. Fast charging allows for less down time.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Better main camera, front camera and video quality makes this a great pick for photography.
Specific Use Cases (Xiaomi Poco F3):
- Playing graphics-intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
- Watching high-resolution videos or movies with rich colors and deep blacks.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Multitasking between apps without lag.
- Listening to music or podcasts with high fidelity sound quality.
Nokia G100 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability over high-end features.
- Casual Smartphone Users: Handles basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users needing Wide-Angle Photography: People who take wide angle photos.
- Users needing a barometer. Users who live in a mountainous region or want to track elevation.
Specific Use Cases (Nokia G100):
- Casual web browsing and social media use.
- Basic photography for social media.
- Long battery life during typical daily tasks.
- Capturing landscape or group shots with the wide-angle lens.
- Basic navigation.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3 is generally considered to offer a high price to value ratio due to its high-end performance and premium display. However, it might be more expensive than the Nokia G100.
- The Nokia G100 provides reasonable functionality at a lower price point, making it a viable budget option, provided users are willing to compromise on performance and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize smooth performance and the ability to run demanding games and apps, or are basic tasks sufficient?
- Display Quality: Do you value a high-quality, vibrant display with smooth scrolling and superior brightness?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need detailed images and 4K video or are you primarily looking for a basic camera with a wide angle lens?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance Priority): If you need a phone for gaming, demanding apps, and smooth multitasking, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice due to its superior performance and display.
- Scenario 2 (Budget Priority): If your budget is tight, you need a basic phone for light tasks and want long battery life, the Nokia G100 is the better option.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Needs): If you want a balance between performance and budget, and also value a great display, the Xiaomi Poco F3 would be the clear winner, despite the additional cost.
- Scenario 4 (Photography Priority): If wide angle photography is important, the Nokia G100 would be a great choice.
- Scenario 5 (Outdoor User): If you need a barometer for hiking or general outdoors use, the Nokia G100 is the choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Reasoning:
While both phones have their own use cases, the Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a vastly superior user experience in the areas that I value most. The combination of the Snapdragon 870, the 120Hz AMOLED display, and the faster charging is a significant step up from the Nokia G100, making it a more enjoyable phone for my day-to-day use.
Although the G100 has the extra wide-angle and portrait mode lenses along with the barometer, the improvements in screen, speed and overall daily experience with the F3 far outweigh the benefit of those additions. While the G100 has a larger battery, its other features make it less energy efficient, likely giving similar battery life in practice.
For me, the significantly better display and vastly increased performance of the F3 outweigh the slightly larger battery and some niche camera features of the G100. The Poco F3 is a phone that will feel snappier and smoother to use every day, and that's something I value more than a slightly longer battery life.
