Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. OnePlus 9R
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | OnePlus 9R | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | Poco F3 is slightly larger but thinner; 9R is more compact but a tad thicker, affecting in-hand feel and pocketability |
| Weight | 196g | 189g | OnePlus 9R is slightly lighter; may be noticeable during long usage sessions |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.55" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen; better for content consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer crisp viewing experience |
| PPI | 395 | 402 | Virtually indistinguishable; both are sharp |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical vivid colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Spec missing) | Poco F3 is much better for outdoor visibility; OnePlus 9R's brightness is unknown, which is a significant drawback in this comparison |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Identical performance for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 821,600 | Both offer nearly identical levels of performance |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 | Identical gaming performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Very similar battery life, likely to provide a full day's use for most users |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9R charges much faster; significant advantage for quickly topping up battery |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 Fast Charge, Non-removable | Non-removable | Poco F3's charging protocol support might be useful if using a compatible charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", IMX582 | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", IMX586 | OnePlus 9R has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", S5K3T2 | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", IMX471 | Poco F3 has higher resolution; OnePlus 9R has larger pixels and potentially better low-light performance; however, the impact of this may be minimal for average use cases. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 16MP, f/2.2, 1/3.09", IMX481 | OnePlus 9R has an extra wide-angle lens for more versatile photography |
| Portrait Mode | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4 | OnePlus 9R has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | OnePlus 9R offers higher resolution (4K@60fps) and HDR recording, generally better video |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | OnePlus 9R offers more advanced photography features, including OIS, PDAF, RAW, and a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 10 (upgradeable to 13) | Poco F3 ships with a newer version of Android; both can be upgraded to Android 13 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Wi-Fi 6, Dual Band | Similar Wi-Fi performance; both support the latest standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Similar Bluetooth performance; both support most common high quality audio codecs |
| GPS | L1+L5, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | L1+L5, Beidou, Galileo | Poco F3 has more satellite systems, which may result in faster and more precise GPS positioning in some scenarios. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Identical SIM support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer similar storage options, with no expandable storage option. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB/12GB | OnePlus 9R has more RAM in the higher configurations, better for heavier multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither support external memory expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancel, Stereo | Both offer good audio, Poco F3 provides Hi-Res, 9R has noise cancelation for better quality calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Poco F3 uses a slightly better technology for its fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 offers more durability; 9R's screen protection is unknown, which can be an issue. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Ultrasonic Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Poco F3 uses ultrasonic proximity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits display offers much better visibility in bright sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor usage.
- More Advanced GPS: Support for additional satellite systems (including NavIC and Beidou B2) may result in better GPS performance.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Appeals to users who prioritize higher fidelity audio output.
- Slightly Better Fingerprint Technology: A more secure side-mounted sensor can improve the user experience
- Screen Protection: Utilizes Gorilla Glass 5, whereas screen protection of 9R is unknown.
OnePlus 9R Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W charging provides significantly faster battery top-ups, crucial for users who are frequently on the go.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses, and OIS, offering more creative photography options.
- More RAM Available: 12 GB RAM provides more headroom for heavy multitasking.
- Advanced Video Recording: Supports 4K at 60fps with HDR for higher quality video output.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Better call quality due to microphone's noise cancelling feature
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Less versatile camera system; slower charging, missing OIS
- OnePlus 9R: Brightness is unknown which makes it very concerning for outdoor visibility; less advanced fingerprint technology, does not support Hi-Res audio
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Outdoor users: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight will appreciate the brighter display.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and listening to high-quality audio will benefit from the Hi-Res audio support and large display.
- Gamers: The Snapdragon 870 can provide an optimal gaming experience and coupled with a slightly larger display can make it a better gaming phone.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Outdoor photography and navigation
- Watching movies and videos in various lighting conditions
- Gaming and general usage
OnePlus 9R Ideal User:
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who value versatile camera systems for varied shooting scenarios.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who want the fastest charging capability for convenience on the go.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Users who constantly run multiple apps benefit from the higher RAM options.
- Videographers: Those who want higher quality video recording capabilities.
Use Cases for OnePlus 9R:
- Capturing various types of photos and videos, especially in low light
- Frequent usage without needing long charging times
- Multitasking between several apps and tasks
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 is usually considered a better price-to-performance ratio phone. However, without knowing the price of both phones it is not possible to fully determine their price-to-value ratios.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility?
- If high, the Poco F3 is the better choice due to the higher brightness.
- Do you prioritize fast charging or a more versatile camera system?
- If fast charging, choose OnePlus 9R; for versatile cameras, choose OnePlus 9R.
- Do you need additional GPS capabilities and high fidelity audio?
- If yes, then choose the Poco F3, otherwise, the OnePlus 9R might be the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Outdoor Use: Choose the Poco F3 for its superior screen visibility outdoors.
- Scenario 2: Photography Focused User: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its more versatile and well-rounded camera system.
- Scenario 3: Heavy Mobile User: Choose the OnePlus 9R for its 65W fast charging.
- Scenario 4: Budget Focused: If both phones are at similar prices, Poco F3 might be slightly better. However, if there is a difference in price, then consider the phones accordingly.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the OnePlus 9R. My reasoning is as follows:
While the Poco F3 does offer a brighter screen, the OnePlus 9R is more versatile in its camera system. As a person who takes pictures frequently, the multiple lens support would be more valuable to me. The much faster charging speeds, better video recording, and more RAM are important and very helpful in most cases. While the screen protection is a concern, I would use a screen protector to mitigate any issues. The Poco F3's additional GPS and Hi-Res audio are also nice, however, they are not as impactful as the OnePlus 9R's advantages. The lack of brightness information from the 9R is concerning, but I would try to confirm the brightness of the 9R before fully making a final decision. If the brightness is good, I would choose the OnePlus 9R.
