1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco F3 and Realme C35, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | Both are similar in size, with the Realme C35 being slightly thicker (0.3 mm), which could make it feel marginally less sleek in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 189g | The Realme C35 is 7g lighter, potentially making it more comfortable to hold for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference. Both offer a large screen for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Essentially identical sharpness and detail. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 401 PPI | Both displays offer similar sharpness. The difference is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, especially beneficial for watching videos, playing games, and using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco F3 provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences, feeling more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The Poco F3 is dramatically brighter making it much better for outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. The Realme C35 brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 offers significantly higher performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking compared to the Unisoc. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 230,726 | The Poco F3 offers a significantly faster user experience - smoother app loading, more responsive UI, and superior gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Adreno 650 provides far superior graphics performance, essential for high-fidelity gaming and smooth animations. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.79) | 50MP (f/1.8) | Both cameras should be capable of producing good quality images. The Poco F3 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.79) which could translate to better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | N/A | The larger sensor on Poco F3 should provide a better dynamic range and better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Model | Sony IMX582 Exmor RS | N/A | Poco F3 uses a Sony sensor with known reputation. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | N/A | Poco F3 has a pixel size listed. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP (f/2.45) | 8MP (f/2.0) | The Poco F3 should provide more detail in selfies. The Realme C35 has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light results |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | N/A | The sensor size is unknown in Realme C35. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Model | Samsung S5K3T2 | Sony Exmor | Poco F3 uses a Samsung sensor with known reputation. Realme C35 sensor is from Sony. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | N/A | The pixel size is unknown in Realme C35. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme C35 can take close-up macro shots that are not possible on Poco F3. |
| Black & White Lens | N/A | 2MP (f/2.8) | Realme C35 can take black and white photos that are not possible on Poco F3. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps (EIS) | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 can record in higher resolution 4K for videos with greater detail and flexibility. Both offer video stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | Up to 960fps | No Slow Motion | Poco F3 offers higher frame rate slow-motion video capturing capabilities |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Manual focus | Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF) | Poco F3 allows manual focus control and 4K video. Realme C35 offers PDAF and CDAF for faster and more precise autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | The Realme C35's larger battery might provide slightly longer battery life, though real-world usage may vary. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The Poco F3 charges much faster, allowing for quicker power-ups. |
| Features | Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 fast charging protocol | None | Poco F3 has wider fast charging compatibility |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 11 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has the option to upgrade to a newer version of Android. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Poco F3 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard with potentially faster speeds and better performance in crowded environments. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC) | 5.0 (A2DP, EDR, LE) | Poco F3 has newer Bluetooth standard and supports higher quality audio codecs (APT-x, LDAC) |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco F3 offers more precise GPS tracking by using more satellites |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | The Poco F3 offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB | The Poco F3 has considerably more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | The Poco F3 offers superior audio output, better immersion. |
Security and Build
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar biometric security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The Poco F3 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Poco F3 has additional sensors that can be utilized for more advanced functions and better gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU provide much better performance for demanding apps, multitasking, and high-end gaming.
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 18W of the Realme C35.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers provide better audio immersion, clarity and loudness
- Higher Quality Video: 4K video recording and better slow-motion capabilities make it a better choice for video recording.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers more RAM (8GB) and higher storage options, better for power users.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards, and more GPS satellites.
- Better Screen Protection: Uses Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection.
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer slightly longer battery life.
- Macro and Black & White Lens: It includes these lenses which the Poco F3 does not have.
- Phase and Contrast detection autofocus: These are added camera features.
- Lower Price: Realme C35 is generally sold at a lower price than the Poco F3.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3's superior performance and display come at the expense of a smaller battery and higher cost.
- The Realme C35 offers a slightly larger battery and extra camera lenses but sacrifices performance, display quality, and charging speeds.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3: Ideal Users
- Gamers: The superior chipset, GPU, and 120Hz display provide a much better gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask, use demanding apps, and need fast performance will benefit from the Snapdragon 870 and 8GB of RAM.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display, stereo speakers, and high-quality video recording make it ideal for watching videos and movies.
- Users needing outdoor visibility: The bright AMOLED display of Poco F3 is a much better choice for outdoor visibility.
Realme C35: Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: It is a more affordable option with decent everyday performance.
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize battery life for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Macro & B/W photography enthusiasts: Users who would use macro and black and white lenses.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3 offers significantly better performance and features for the price, making it a great value for demanding users.
- The Realme C35 is a budget-friendly option for users with less demanding needs, but it lags behind significantly in performance and key features.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions potential buyers should ask themselves:
- What is your primary usage scenario? (e.g., gaming, photography, everyday use).
- How important is display quality and performance? (e.g., do you need a smooth, vibrant screen and fast speeds, or is a basic screen fine).
- What is your budget? (e.g., are you willing to pay more for top performance or are you looking for the best deal).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming & Media Consumption
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear winner due to its superior processor, GPU, display, and audio quality.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Buyer Seeking Basic Functionality
- Recommendation: Realme C35 is suitable for basic daily use.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use with Some Camera Needs
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3 excels in all aspects except having a Macro and B/W camera which Realme C35 does.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. My primary use case involves demanding applications, gaming, and media consumption, all of which are areas where the Poco F3 excels far beyond the Realme C35. The superior display, significantly faster processor, and better audio experience are critical to my daily use, making the additional cost worthwhile. While the Realme C35 has a slightly larger battery and some extra camera lenses, these benefits do not outweigh the massive performance and display advantages offered by the Poco F3. The ability to use 4K video recording and superior slow-motion capabilities of the Poco F3 are also important to me. Overall, the Xiaomi Poco F3 provides a significantly more refined and powerful user experience, aligning perfectly with my needs. The enhanced performance and better quality screen make a significant difference in daily usage that outweighs the benefits provided by Realme C35.
