Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-27 | 2024-05-28 | realme 8 is much newer, potentially offering newer software and features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; no unique design elements. |
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm | Poco F3 is slightly larger, but realme 8 is thicker. Difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 191g | realme 8 is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.78" | realme 8 offers slightly more screen real estate, for a more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1264x2780 | realme 8 has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 450 PPI | realme 8's higher pixel density will result in a noticeably sharper and more detailed screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, making it significantly better for bright sunlight use. Brightness not provided for realme 8 |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | realme 8 has a newer, more efficient chip that will likely offer better performance, including gaming and multitasking |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a known performance benchmark, but realme 8 performance is unavailable. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 732 | realme 8 uses a newer generation GPU which implies superior graphical performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 0mAh | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a larger battery capacity which would lead to a better battery life. Battery data not provided for realme 8 |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Xiaomi Poco F3 charges significantly faster, getting you back up and running quickly. |
| Features | Non-removable, Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 | Standard features | Xiaomi Poco F3 has more advanced fast charging protocol support |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582 Exmor RS | Not Available | Xiaomi Poco F3 has standard camera and it is not provided for realme 8. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | Not Available | Xiaomi Poco F3 has selfie camera and it is not provided for realme 8. |
| Video | 4K@30fps EIS, up to 960fps slow-motion | 4K@30fps/60fps OIS/EIS, up to 120fps | realme 8 offers OIS in all resolutions. Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more slow motion features and a wider selection of recording framerates. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, 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 | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 has more camera features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | realme 8 has newer Android version out of box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band, Hotspot | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 supports newer WiFi 6 standards for faster and reliable connections, while WiFi specs are missing for realme 8 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more audio codecs, allowing for better sound quality over wireless headphones, while bluetooth specs are missing for realme 8 |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 has more comprehensive GPS support for increased accuracy, while GPS specs are missing for realme 8 |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more flexible sim usage while SIM specs are missing for realme 8 |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 provides more storage options. Storage specs are missing for realme 8 |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | Not available | Xiaomi Poco F3 provides more RAM options. RAM specs are missing for realme 8 |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers premium audio features for enhanced listening experiences and immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco F3 provides more premium side-mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco F3 features superior screen protection, the protection is missing for realme 8 |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Light sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | Basic sensors | Xiaomi Poco F3 has comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The Poco F3 has a much brighter screen (1300 nits), providing excellent visibility in bright sunlight.
- Fast Charging: It supports 33W fast charging, enabling faster battery top-ups.
- More Camera Features: Offers comprehensive camera features including 4K video, digital zoom, triple camera, and advanced video recording features.
- Better Audio: Has superior audio capabilities like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers, for enhanced media consumption.
- Better Connectivity: Has newer wifi standards, bluetooth version and better GPS.
- More storage and RAM: Offers 256 GB storage and 8 GB RAM versions
- Better Build Quality: Features more screen protection and side mounted fingerprint sensors.
- Better Sensors: Features more motion, biometrics, and proximity sensors.
realme 8 Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Newer Chipset: Offers newer chip architecture, which may lead to improved performance and power efficiency.
- Sharper Display: Has significantly higher screen resolution and pixel density, offering sharper images.
- OIS in Videos: realme 8 offers OIS in all resolutions for smoother videos.
Trade-offs:
- The realme 8 has a newer chipset, higher resolution display, and OIS in videos but is lacking in many other aspects.
- The Xiaomi Poco F3 is better for media consumption and general usage given it's brighter display, more camera features, fast charging, better audio features, and better connectivity.
- While realme 8 is newer, it is lacking in a lot of specifications that are mentioned in the Xiaomi Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is Ideal For:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who frequently watch videos, listen to music, and value great audio and visual experience.
- Gamers: The combination of processing power, smooth display, and fast charging is great for gaming.
- Outdoor Users: The higher brightness display makes it suitable for use in bright sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value advanced camera features and video recording.
realme 8 is Ideal For:
- Users Prioritizing Software: Those who prefer having the latest Android version out of the box.
- Users Prioritizing Resolution: Those who want very detailed and sharp display.
- Users Prioritizing OIS in video: Those who prioritize video recording with smooth stabilization.
Specific Use Cases:
- Poco F3: Perfect for binge-watching shows on the go, playing graphic-intensive games, capturing high-quality photos/videos, and listening to music with great audio quality.
- realme 8: Good for users who want the latest software and a very high resolution display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is screen brightness critical for you? If so, the Poco F3 is the clear choice due to its significantly brighter display.
- Do you want the absolute latest Android version? The realme 8 has a newer version of Android.
- Do you prioritize fast charging and good battery life? If yes, the Xiaomi Poco F3 has better battery capacity and fast charging capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent outdoor use and content consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 due to its brighter display, superior audio, and better battery life.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and high-performance needs: The Xiaomi Poco F3 would be more appropriate for gaming and high-performance needs.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious users looking for the newest OS: The realme 8 could be a better choice if you are looking for newer OS but note that it is lacking in other key specifications.
My Choice
Given the specifications provided, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Reasons:
- Superior Overall Experience: While realme 8 has a higher resolution and newer Android, the Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a significantly more well-rounded experience. Its dramatically brighter screen is a huge advantage for everyday use, especially outdoors. The enhanced audio features, faster charging, and more comprehensive camera features add up to a more complete package.
- Better for Media and Gaming: As someone who frequently consumes media and occasionally plays games, the Poco F3's better brightness, audio capabilities and performance give it a clear edge.
- More Features: The Xiaomi Poco F3 has more features in all aspects, including connectivity, security, build quality, and sensors.
- Practicality Over Minor Upgrades: Although the realme 8 has a newer chipset and Android version, these advantages are not enough to offset the missing features and overall experience offered by the Xiaomi Poco F3.
- More Complete Package: The Poco F3 simply has more features, which make it a better all-around device.
