1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | The Poco F3 is slightly larger, which might be less comfortable for one-handed use for some. Realme 9 Pro+ is slightly thicker and may feel less sleek. |
| Weight | 196g | 182g | The Realme 9 Pro+ is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.4" | The Poco F3 has a larger display, better for media consumption and gaming, while the Realme 9 Pro+ is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide the same level of sharpness for their screen sizes. |
| PPI | 395 | 411 | Both have similar pixel densities, so the difference in sharpness is negligible in normal use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Poco F3's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother animations and a more fluid experience, especially when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The Poco F3's significantly higher brightness makes it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. The Realme 9 Pro+ brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G | Dimensity 920 | The Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F3 is more powerful, offering faster processing speeds for demanding tasks, gaming and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 496,970 | The Poco F3 has significantly higher performance based on benchmark, making it better for heavy use cases. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Adreno 650 GPU in the Poco F3 is generally more capable, providing superior graphics performance, especially in games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 50MP | The Realme 9 Pro+ has a slightly higher resolution, potentially capturing slightly more detail, however the difference is minimal. |
| Main Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | The Realme 9 Pro+'s larger sensor should capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Both offer similar light gathering capabilities with wide apertures, suitable for various conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP | 16MP | The Poco F3 has a higher resolution selfie camera, potentially resulting in slightly more detailed self portraits. |
| Selfie Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.13" | The Realme 9 Pro+ has a larger selfie sensor, which could mean better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP | The Realme 9 Pro+ has a dedicated wide-angle camera, offering more versatility when taking photos. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP | The Realme 9 Pro+ has a dedicated macro camera for taking close-up shots. |
| Video Features | EIS | EIS, OIS, Ultra Stable | The Realme 9 Pro+ offers superior video stabilization with OIS in addition to EIS, resulting in smoother video recordings. |
| Camera Features | Basic | OIS, RAW, Night Mode | The Realme 9 Pro+ offers more advanced camera features (OIS, RAW, Night Mode) enhancing both video and low light photo quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Both have similar battery capacities, expecting comparable battery life for average use. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 60W Fast Charging | The Realme 9 Pro+'s 60W fast charging will charge the phone much faster compared to the Poco F3's 33W charging. |
| Battery Features | QC3+/PD3.0 Support | None | The Poco F3 supports a common charging protocol, while the Realme 9 Pro+ does not. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Realme 9 Pro+ starts with a newer base version of Android; both can be upgraded to Android 13. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards, providing fast and stable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 9 Pro+ has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for potentially better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | The Poco F3 has more satellite support, offering slightly better positioning accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Canceling Mic, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mic | The Realme 9 Pro+ offers slightly better audio with enhanced noise cancellation and voice capture capabilities. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Biometric | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Poco F3's side-mounted fingerprint sensor might offer a more convenient and faster unlock experience. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both devices provide similar scratch resistance. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme 9 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Heart Rate, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The Poco F3 offers an Ultrasonic proximity sensor that tends to be more reliable. The Realme 9 Pro+ includes a heart rate monitor for health tracking, which the Poco F3 lacks, as well as a more traditional proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. This is reflected in its much higher AnTuTu benchmark score.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother visual experience than the Realme's 90Hz display, especially in fast-paced content and gaming.
- Higher Display Brightness: With 1300 nits of brightness, the Poco F3 is significantly more usable in bright outdoor conditions, while the Realme 9 Pro+ brightness isn't listed.
- More Satellite Support: The Poco F3 has better GPS support with more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate positioning.
- Better Proximity Sensor: The Ultrasonic proximity sensor in the Poco F3 is known to be more reliable than the basic one.
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor on the Poco F3 might be more comfortable and quicker for some users.
Realme 9 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Larger camera sensor with OIS, a wide-angle lens, and a dedicated macro lens offer greater flexibility and better low-light performance in photos and video. Additional features like RAW support and Night Mode enhance image quality.
- Faster Charging: The 60W fast charging significantly reduces charging time, providing greater convenience.
- Enhanced Audio: The inclusion of a noise-canceling microphone and two microphones results in better audio quality and voice capture for calls and recordings.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers a slight edge in terms of power efficiency and connectivity.
- Heart Rate Sensor: Offers a basic heart-rate sensor
- Newer OS at launch: The Realme 9 Pro+ launches with Android 12 instead of Android 11
Significant Trade-Offs:
- Poco F3: Users will sacrifice camera versatility and quality, and faster charging speeds, but gains raw performance and display smoothness.
- Realme 9 Pro+: Users lose high-end performance and display smoothness, but gain a better camera, fast charging, and better audio capabilities
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers and users who need fast, snappy performance for demanding tasks.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a large, smooth, and bright display for watching videos and browsing content, especially outdoors.
- Users Prioritizing Speed: Those who prefer faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games at higher frame rates.
- Watching HDR content outdoors.
- Heavy multitasking between resource-intensive apps.
- Users who prioritize a responsive and fast experience over camera versatility.
Realme 9 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera quality, particularly low-light performance, versatility and advanced features.
- Video Creators: Those who need smooth and stable video recordings thanks to OIS and Ultra-stable mode.
- Users Prioritizing Convenience: Those who prefer fast charging and better audio quality.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking photos in various scenarios, including low-light conditions.
- Recording stable videos on the go.
- Participating in video calls and needing better audio quality.
- Users who need fast battery charging throughout the day.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Poco F3 provides very good performance for its cost, especially if you can find it at a discount now.
- The Realme 9 Pro+ is a well-rounded device with a focus on camera features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is more important to you: Performance or Camera Quality?
- If raw power and speed are your priority, the Poco F3 is better. If you value camera versatility and quality, choose the Realme 9 Pro+.
- Do you often use your phone in bright outdoor conditions?
- If so, the Poco F3’s much brighter screen will make it easier to see. The Realme 9 Pro+ brightness information was not provided.
- How important is fast charging to you?
- The Realme 9 Pro+ offers significantly faster charging, so if you hate waiting around for your phone to charge, this might be important.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gamers & Power Users
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. The raw performance of the Snapdragon 870, paired with the 120Hz refresh rate provides a far better gaming experience than the Realme 9 Pro+.
- Scenario 2: Photography & Videography Enthusiasts
- Recommendation: Realme 9 Pro+. The dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, OIS, and RAW support offer a better camera experience for various creative purposes.
- Scenario 3: Everyday Users Who Value Battery Life & Speed
- Recommendation: Realme 9 Pro+ If you value faster charging and don't need the absolute best performance or display brightness, the Realme 9 Pro+ is a solid choice. However, if you would like better performance, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is a good choice, while sacrificing some camera versatility and speed charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the Realme 9 Pro+ has a superior camera system and faster charging, the raw performance of the Snapdragon 870 is more important for my use case, which involves a lot of multitasking, app testing, and occasional gaming. The 120Hz display and higher brightness also provide a more enjoyable user experience. While the Realme 9 Pro+ camera is better for creative photography, the Poco F3's camera is good enough for everyday snapshots, and the extra performance is more valuable to me. The difference in charging speed would be a bit annoying but is a tradeoff I would be willing to make for better performance, while still being acceptable at 33W.
