Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Realme C61
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is slightly taller, but both have similar width and thickness. The difference in size is minor and may not be noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 196g | 188g | Realme C61 is slightly lighter (8g), potentially more comfortable for extended use, especially for users with smaller hands |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.74" | Nearly identical screen sizes, with a very minor difference |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. Noticeably more detail in videos and photos. |
| PPI | 395 | 260 | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a significantly sharper viewing experience; text and images will appear much clearer and less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco F3 has smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing gaming and general UI interactions. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Realme C61's brightness is missing from the specifications. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in much faster app loading times, better multitasking, and significantly enhanced gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 252,597 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has much better performance for demanding applications and games. The difference is substantial. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a much more capable GPU for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 48MP (f/1.79) | 32MP (f/1.8) | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more detailed photos and has slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 20MP (f/2.45) | 5MP (f/2.0) | Xiaomi Poco F3 captures much more detailed selfies. The Realme C61's selfie camera offers a wider aperture but has much lower resolution. |
| Portrait Camera Res. | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Realme C61 offers portrait mode, allowing for a depth-of-field effect; Xiaomi Poco F3 lacks dedicated depth sensor. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Xiaomi Poco F3 can record high-resolution videos with advanced features like EIS. Much higher quality footage |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C61 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life in similar use cases, but actual battery life depends on power consumption |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Realme C61 charges the battery faster than Xiaomi Poco F3. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 | Realme C61 ships with a newer version of Android, providing newer features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Xiaomi Poco F3 supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Xiaomi Poco F3 supports a newer Bluetooth standard, possibly with better connectivity and energy efficiency. It also supports additional audio codecs like aptX and LDAC for higher-quality audio output. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers more precise location tracking through its additional support for more satellite systems, useful for navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both phones offer similar maximum storage options; Realme C61 provides a 64GB base option, which is useful for those on a tighter budget. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both phones have similar RAM configurations. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users must choose a storage variant wisely. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Poco F3 has an audio advantage, with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio, providing a better media consumption experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices have a fingerprint sensor for basic security; they operate on the same principle. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a more resistant screen to minor damages like scratches and bumps. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Proximity, Accelerometer | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a comprehensive sensor suite, while Realme C61 has a more basic sensor selection; Poco F3 is suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, Higher resolution, Higher refresh rate, Higher brightness result in a much better viewing experience with deeper blacks, sharper images, smoother motion, and better outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers drastically better CPU and GPU performance compared to the Unisoc T612. This translates to snappier multitasking, much faster app loading, and superior gaming performance.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras capture more detailed photos. Additionally, it offers 4K video recording.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 with more audio codecs, and more precise GPS systems, offering better connectivity, audio, and navigation.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio provide superior sound experience for music and video.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers more sensors for advanced functionalities and gaming.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better screen protection.
Realme C61 Advantages:
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, providing access to the latest features and security updates.
- Larger Battery: Marginally larger battery capacity may translate to slightly better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging is quicker than Xiaomi Poco F3's 33W, which is very useful for busy users.
- Portrait Mode Camera: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which can enhance portrait photographs.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme C61 prioritizes a lower price point, and it makes significant compromises in display, performance, camera quality, connectivity, and audio quality compared to the Xiaomi Poco F3.
- The Xiaomi Poco F3, despite being older, offers a significantly superior user experience in key areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and high refresh rate display are ideal for mobile gaming.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display with Dolby Atmos enhances the viewing experience for movies, videos, and TV shows.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher resolution cameras provide more detailed photos and videos.
- Power Users: Those who need to multitask between many apps or need a phone that handles demanding tasks.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want a device that has a premium experience, better specs, and great connectivity.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Playing graphically demanding games smoothly.
- Watching high-resolution content with vivid colors and deep blacks.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos.
- Quickly switching between multiple apps.
- Navigating with high location accuracy.
Realme C61 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Needs a phone for everyday tasks like calls, texts, and social media browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: May benefit from the slightly larger battery for longer use between charges.
Use Cases for Realme C61:
- Basic web browsing and social media usage.
- Making and receiving phone calls and text messages.
- General navigation using GPS.
- Occasional photography.
- Everyday use for users who do not need high end processing performance.
Price-to-Value:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3, though older, offers significantly better performance and features, making it better value for money if performance and display quality are top priorities.
- The Realme C61 is a budget-oriented phone and compromises on display, performance, and cameras. It may be a better value for users with basic needs and those on a tight budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Realme C61 is a budget-friendly option, while the Xiaomi Poco F3 is more expensive but has significantly better specifications.
- How important is performance? If gaming, multitasking, or using demanding apps is a priority, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better choice.
- What are your display preferences? If you value vibrant colors, high resolution, and smooth scrolling, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is vastly superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast/Power User: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior performance and display.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Basic User: Choose the Realme C61 if you only need basic smartphone functionality and wish to maximize battery life.
- Scenario 3: Media Lover: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior AMOLED display, stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos support.
- Scenario 4: Casual User, Prioritizing Affordability: Realme C61 would be more suited due to its cheaper price point and basic features.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. Despite being an older model, its performance, display, camera, and connectivity features offer a significantly better user experience that outweighs the benefits of the Realme C61, even with its newer software and larger battery. For me, a high-quality display, smooth performance, and good camera capabilities are far more important than minor advantages like a slightly bigger battery or a dedicated depth camera. The Poco F3's premium features, including the AMOLED display, Snapdragon 870 chipset, advanced connectivity, and enhanced audio, make it a much more versatile and enjoyable phone to use on a daily basis. The difference in overall experience is substantial, and the Poco F3 provides more value for a user who is not on a very tight budget.
