1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.4 × 76.3 × 9.1 mm | Poco F3 is slightly thinner; A04 slightly taller. Difference in hand feel may be minor. |
| Weight | 196g | 192g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger display, more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Poco F3 display is noticeably sharper, text and images will appear clearer, better for reading and detailed viewing. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 270 | Higher PPI on Poco F3 translates to a significantly sharper image quality, individual pixels are less visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | Poco F3 offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and superior contrast. Better for media consumption and viewing in the dark. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 is significantly better for viewing in bright sunlight, A04 visibility is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | Poco F3 offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 124,000 | Poco F3 provides a substantially higher level of performance, suitable for demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | PowerVR GE8320 | Poco F3 has a significantly more powerful GPU, better for graphic-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | A04 has a slightly higher resolution, but image quality depends on the sensor size and processing, which are not fully specified for A04. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco F3 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 5MP | Poco F3 takes significantly higher resolution selfies, more detail for social media or video calls. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | A04 has a slightly wider aperture on its selfie camera, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Portrait Mode | No | 2MP depth camera | A04 has a dedicated depth camera, offering better portrait mode effects. Poco F3 relies on software processing for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 can record higher resolution videos, better for capturing memories in greater detail. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | A04 has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving a bit more battery life for similar use patterns. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | No fast charging | Poco F3 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | A04 comes with a newer version of Android out of the box. Both will get Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Poco F3 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Poco F3 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | More satellite systems supported | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Poco F3 has more precise location tracking with more satellite systems. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Poco F3 has a 256GB option, offering more space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 3/4/6 GB | Poco F3 has better RAM options for more demanding users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Poco F3 offers superior audio experience, better for music and media. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | Poco F3 has the added convenience and security of a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Accelerometer, Proximity | Poco F3 has a more comprehensive sensor set, supporting advanced features and more precise control in games and apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers drastically better performance than the Helio P35, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate is considerably better for media consumption and general use.
- Better Camera Quality: While slightly lower main camera resolution, the Poco F3 offers a better selfie camera and 4K video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time compared to the A04.
- Advanced Features: The Poco F3 offers a fingerprint sensor, better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and more advanced sensors for more features and precision.
- Better Audio Experience: With features like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Stereo Speakers, the Poco F3 has an advantage over the A04.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The A04 has a slightly larger battery which might result in slightly better battery life for similar usage patterns.
- Newer Android Version Out of the Box: Comes with Android 12, whereas the Poco F3 comes with Android 11. Both will receive Android 13.
- Dedicated Depth Camera: Offers better portrait mode effects with the addition of a 2MP depth sensor.
- Lower price: Samsung Galaxy A04 is likely to be more budget-friendly.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Poco F3 sacrifices battery capacity and depth camera for superior performance and display quality. The trade-off between performance and slight differences in battery life.
- A04 trades performance, display quality, and fast charging for a slightly larger battery and a lower price point. It is meant for users for whom affordability and basic functionality are priorities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who prioritize performance, smooth multitasking, and gaming.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality display, excellent audio, and want a premium media experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who need a good selfie camera and 4K video recording.
- Users who want future proofing: The powerful processor and better connectivity options means this phone will remain relevant for a longer time.
- Users seeking flagship-like features at a mid-range price point The Poco F3 has an excellent price-to-performance ratio.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
- Streaming high-resolution videos on Netflix or YouTube.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Making video calls using the higher resolution front-facing camera.
- Demanding multitasking needs such as quickly switching between apps and running resource heavy apps.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for an affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
- Light Users: People who primarily use their phones for calling, texting, social media, and basic browsing.
- Users who value battery life over performance: Someone who prioritizes a longer time between charges even if it means slower performance.
- First-time smartphone users: The device's simplicity and price makes it easy to understand and not very expensive.
Use Cases:
- Casual web browsing and social media scrolling.
- Making phone calls and sending text messages.
- Taking casual photos for personal use.
- Using basic apps like email and calendar.
- Longer battery life while performing basic tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Poco F3: Offers excellent value for the money, providing high-end performance and features for a mid-range price.
- A04: Focuses on affordability, offering basic functionality at a budget-friendly price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and display quality to you?
- If crucial, the Poco F3 is a clear choice. If not a priority, the A04 might suffice.
- What is your budget and how much are you willing to spend?
- If you have a very limited budget the A04 is the better option.
- How heavily do you use your smartphone?
- If you're using your phone for hours each day, the Poco F3 provides better overall experience. If you're a casual user the A04 will be enough.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its powerful processor and high refresh rate display.
- Budget-Conscious Student: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A04 if you just need basic functionality.
- Mobile Photographer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its high-resolution selfie camera, and 4K video recording, also its manual controls provide more freedom for creativity.
- General Use Case: The Xiaomi Poco F3 is much better than A04 in almost all aspects, and will provide a smoother experience.
- Casual User: Choose Samsung Galaxy A04 if you just need a phone for basic tasks.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the Samsung Galaxy A04 has the advantage of a slightly larger battery and a newer Android version out of the box, the Poco F3 offers a drastically superior user experience in almost every other aspect. The superior performance, display, camera, and audio, along with faster charging, make it a much better daily driver for me.
The Poco F3 is more future-proof, and is going to remain relevant for a longer time. I value having the best possible performance and overall quality for a phone, even if it means making a compromise on battery life. The 33W fast charging more than makes up for any difference in battery capacity.
