Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Realme 9 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.3 × 75.6 × 8.5 mm | Poco F3 is slightly thinner; Realme 9 Pro is a bit taller and wider, resulting in a slightly larger overall volume. Both are similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical weight, minimal difference in perceived heft. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size, similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Similar sharpness, no significant difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 400 PPI | Virtually identical sharpness; both provide crisp display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3's AMOLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better outdoor visibility and is more power-efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 is drastically better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to its much higher brightness; Realme 9 Pro brightness info missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco F3 offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance; Realme 9 Pro is less powerful and could struggle with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 402,916 | Poco F3 delivers almost double the performance of Realme 9 Pro, making it much more capable of running demanding applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | Poco F3's Adreno 650 GPU will provide superior graphics performance for gaming and visually intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Realme 9 Pro may capture more detailed photos in ideal conditions due to higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2" | Similar main camera sensor size |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 0.70µm | Poco F3 has a slightly larger pixel size which may allow better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | Poco F3's selfie camera can capture more detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.13" | Realme 9 Pro has a slightly larger sensor which may allow better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | Realme 9 Pro’s selfie camera can capture more light due to a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP (f/2.2) | Realme 9 Pro has a dedicated ultrawide lens, offering a wider field of view for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme 9 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 960fps, EIS | 1080p@30fps, EIS | Poco F3 supports 4K video recording and higher frame rate slow-motion video, making it suitable for more demanding video capture. |
| Camera Features | 4K, EIS, etc. | 4K, EIS, Ultra Stable Video, RAW, Night Mode etc. | Realme 9 Pro has additional camera features, like Ultra Stable Video, RAW and Night Mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 9 Pro may offer marginally longer battery life due to the larger capacity; however, power efficiency is also crucial, and a powerful processor might drain the battery quicker. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones offer the same charging speed. |
| Battery Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | None | Poco F3 supports popular fast charging protocols |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Realme 9 Pro ships with newer Android out of the box. Both are upgradable to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Poco F3 supports newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, offering potentially faster speeds and lower latency. Realme 9 Pro supports the older 802.11ac. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1/B2), Galileo (E1/E5a), NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco F3 supports more satellite navigation systems, improving location accuracy in various conditions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB | Poco F3 offers an optional 256GB storage variant, offering more space for media and apps. Both lack expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Similar RAM options for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Poco F3 has an enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers, providing a more immersive media consumption experience; Realme 9 Pro has a noise-cancelling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has screen protection of Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing better protection. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco F3 provides a more comprehensive set of sensors, with the addition of Compass and Ultrasonic proximity virtual. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU provide much faster processing and graphics capabilities, which is ideal for gaming and demanding applications.
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with 1300 nits brightness offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and much better outdoor visibility than the Realme 9 Pro's IPS LCD.
- Enhanced Video Recording: Supports 4K video recording and high frame rate slow-motion.
- Advanced Wi-Fi and GPS: Newer Wi-Fi 6 standard and more satellite navigation systems for faster and more accurate location
- Higher Quality Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers for a more immersive experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Optional 256GB Storage: Larger storage option is available
Realme 9 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Slightly bigger battery might provide slightly better battery life, although this will depend on the power efficiency of both devices.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens for more creative photography options.
- Ultra Stable Video, RAW and Night Mode: Enhanced camera features.
- Ships with newer Android OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Lacks a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens on its camera. The battery is slightly smaller, though it may not significantly impact real-world use.
- Realme 9 Pro: Noticeably lower performance compared to the Poco F3. The IPS LCD screen is not as vibrant or contrast-rich as the AMOLED screen of Poco F3. It has lower peak brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is ideal for:
- Gamers: The superior chipset and GPU will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who need fast app loading, seamless multitasking, and smooth performance for demanding apps will prefer the Poco F3.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display and stereo speakers will provide a better experience when watching videos and listening to music.
- Outdoor users: Users who spend time outdoors, in bright conditions, will benefit significantly from the much higher brightness of Poco F3.
Use Cases: Gaming, video editing, running multiple demanding apps, watching HDR videos, media consumption.
Realme 9 Pro is ideal for:
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize battery life and a versatile camera system with wide-angle and macro lenses for taking different types of photos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want more camera flexibility, including the use of ultrawide and macro lenses.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need slightly more battery life may prefer the larger 5000mAh battery.
Use Cases: Everyday use, social media photography, casual photography with wide-angle and macro options, light gaming, long battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 generally offers superior performance, display quality, and audio features. The value proposition is high for those who prioritize these aspects.
- The Realme 9 Pro offers better camera versatility and is suitable for users who don't need high performance but want a decent, budget-friendly experience with a wide-angle camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, Photography, everyday use)
- How important is display quality for you? (Do you prefer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and better outdoor visibility?)
- Do you need the highest possible performance, or is moderate performance sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance is Crucial: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its significantly higher performance, superior display, and better audio.
Scenario 2: Photography is a High Priority with Wide-angle and macro: Choose the Realme 9 Pro for its additional camera lenses, including a wide angle and a macro lens and additional camera features such as Ultra Stable Video, RAW and Night Mode
Scenario 3: Balanced Usage and Battery Life: The Realme 9 Pro would be better if you prioritize a larger battery, even though the Poco F3 can provide great battery life.
My Choice
Given my priorities and typical usage, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. The significant performance advantage of the Snapdragon 870, combined with the superior AMOLED display and stereo speakers, is essential for my use cases, including gaming, watching videos, and running demanding apps. While I acknowledge that the Realme 9 Pro has a more versatile camera setup with its wide-angle and macro lenses, the Poco F3’s overall performance and better display significantly outweigh the additional camera features in my opinion. Also the much better outdoor visibility due to the 1300 nits brightness of the Poco F3 is also another very important factor.
