Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Samsung Galaxy A34
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy A34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 161.3 × 78.1 × 8.2 mm | Poco F3 is slightly taller and thinner, A34 is wider and thicker, affecting hand feel and pocketability. |
| Weight | 196g | 199g | Negligible difference in weight, both feel similar in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Very similar screen size, a difference of 0.07" is virtually unnoticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar resolution and pixel density. |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both offer crisp display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant AMOLED displays, offering deep blacks and rich colors |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation for enhanced viewing experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 has significantly higher brightness, making it much easier to see in direct sunlight. A34 brightness is unspecified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 | Snapdragon 870 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 532,300 | Poco F3 has much higher benchmark score, indicating faster performance and smoother operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 650 is more powerful, offering better graphics performance, especially in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | A34 has slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 33W | 25W | Poco F3 charges faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79 | 48MP, f/1.8 | Poco F3 has slightly wider aperture (f/1.79), better in low light but virtually same performance. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.45 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Poco F3 has higher resolution, A34 has slightly wider aperture and larger sensor, potentially better low light. |
| Wide Angle | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | A34 offers more versatility with an ultra-wide lens for landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 5MP, f/2.4 | A34 can capture depth information for better portrait shots. |
| Video (Main) | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer 4K video. Poco F3 has more recording modes, but Samsung has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | EIS, OIS | A34 has optical stabilization for smoother video capture. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Main: 92 (Photo: 99, Video: 78) | A34 has been tested and scored well, Poco F3 has no score available. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | A34 ships with newer OS and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Poco F3 supports newer WiFi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | A34 has the latest version, better range and battery life for peripherals |
| GPS | More systems, Dual-band | Standard | Poco F3 should offer greater accuracy, thanks to dual-band GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer same internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Both offer the same RAM options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos | Poco F3 has Hi-Res audio support offering higher quality audio playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | Poco F3 has more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 screen has better protection against scratches and impacts. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better processing power and graphics performance compared to the Dimensity 1080, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits of brightness provides better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging replenishes the battery more quickly than the A34’s 25W.
- Better WiFi: Supports newer WiFi 6 standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency and better performance in crowded networks.
- More Precise GPS: More satellite system support, offering greater location accuracy.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio quality, better spatial audio for music and media.
- More advanced Fingerprint Sensor: The side mounted sensor is better than the basic fingerprint sensor.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior screen protection than the unspecified screen of the A34
Samsung Galaxy A34 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and has an update path to Android 17, ensuring longer software support.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger 5000mAh battery may offer marginally longer battery life.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes wide angle and depth sensors, offering more flexible shooting options.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides better video stabilization and sharper low-light images.
- Tested Camera: Has been tested by DxOMark providing good camera scores.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports newer Bluetooth 5.3, which offers better range and efficiency.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 sacrifices camera versatility (no wide angle or portrait mode) and software longevity for superior performance and a brighter screen.
- The Galaxy A34 trades peak performance and display brightness for a more versatile camera setup and longer software support.
- The Poco F3 lacks OIS which helps in video recording, while the Galaxy A34 lacks Hi-Res audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Benefit from the powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, better GPU and faster display refresh rate for smooth and immersive gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need fast app loading, seamless multitasking and overall smooth performance for demanding use cases.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy Hi-Res audio and want a brighter display for outdoor viewing of content.
- Those valuing Performance: Users who prioritize raw performance and speed over camera versatility or software longevity.
- Users who prioritize build quality: Users who want better screen protection.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a flexible camera system with wide-angle and depth sensors for more creative shots and better video stabilization.
- Users seeking Long Software Support: Those who want the latest Android version and the peace of mind of longer software updates.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who prioritize battery life, a decent camera, and a modern user experience.
- Users who want a more well-rounded smartphone experience: Those who value a balanced set of features and a good camera performance over raw processing power.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is raw performance for me? (Gaming, demanding apps)
- Do I need advanced camera features like ultra-wide and portrait modes or is good quality more important?
- How much do I value long-term software support?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Performance Focus: If gaming and high performance are priorities, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear winner due to its significantly more powerful chipset and superior GPU.
- Scenario 2: Versatile Camera and Software Longevity: If you prioritize camera flexibility, software updates, and a well-rounded experience, the Samsung Galaxy A34 will serve you better.
- Scenario 3: All-Round Usage: For general usage, the Xiaomi Poco F3 has the more capable processor, better display but loses out on camera versatility and software updates. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a well-rounded phone that does not have a clear advantage in any single aspect over the Poco F3, however, it has a slightly better camera and more software updates.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Visibility: If the user uses their phone outdoors often, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is a better choice due to its much brighter display.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. My reasoning is based on the fact that I value smooth performance for everyday use, especially in apps and browsing and also for gaming. The significantly more powerful chipset and GPU of the Poco F3 would provide a better experience for these use cases. While the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a well-rounded phone, its performance is weaker and would not satisfy the demanding tasks that I do with my phone on a regular basis. Even though I appreciate software updates, the performance gap is too big to be ignored. I also appreciate a brighter display for outdoor use, which the Poco F3 offers and better screen protection. While the Samsung has a more versatile camera system with wide-angle and depth lenses, the standard camera performance between the two phones is very similar. Thus, a more powerful, brighter and faster screen is more beneficial to me than a more versatile camera setup.
