Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm | Very similar size; Poco F3 slightly thicker. Minimal difference in handling, but Galaxy A73 5G may feel a touch slimmer. |
| Weight | 196g | 181g | Galaxy A73 5G is 15g lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible size difference, offering a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer crisp and clear images. |
| PPI | 395 | 393 | Virtually indistinguishable; pixel density is practically the same, resulting in similar display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, both offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not specified) | Poco F3 has significantly higher peak brightness; much better visibility outdoors, especially in direct sunlight; Samsung Galaxy A73 5G brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Poco F3's chip offers significantly higher performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking. The A73 5G's chip is still capable, but less powerful overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 575,551 | Poco F3 has significantly better benchmark scores indicating faster app loading, smoother operation, and better performance overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | Poco F3's GPU delivers better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Galaxy A73 5G has a larger battery capacity, potentially offering longer battery life between charges, although real-world usage can vary based on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | Poco F3 charges faster, minimizing downtime; Li-Polymer has a slightly longer life span compared to Li-Ion battery technology, though both are acceptable. |
| Features | Non-removable, QC3+ / PD3.0 fast charge support | Non-removable, Bypass Charging | Poco F3 offers more options in charging. Bypass Charging in the A73 reduces heat when charging while gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm, Sony IMX582) | 108MP (f/1.8, Pixel size not specified) | A73 5G has a higher resolution sensor, theoretically allowing for more detailed images and larger prints. Poco F3's sensor has larger individual pixels and a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance (though specific image quality will vary based on software processing). |
| Selfie Camera Res | 20MP (f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm, Samsung S5K3T2) | 32MP (f/2.2, Pixel size not specified) | Galaxy A73 5G has a higher resolution selfie camera; offers better low-light performance thanks to the wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 12MP (f/2.2, Pixel size not specified) | A73 5G has an ultrawide camera, providing a wider field of view for group shots and landscapes. |
| Portrait Camera | Not available | 5MP (f/2.4, Pixel size not specified) | Galaxy A73 5G has a dedicated depth sensor, possibly enabling more accurate portrait mode with background blurring effects. |
| Macro Lens | Not available | 5MP (f/2.4, Pixel size not specified) | Galaxy A73 5G has a dedicated macro lens, allowing for close-up photos of small subjects. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, Slow-motion up to 960fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, Slow-motion up to 120fps | Both can shoot in 4K, but Poco F3 has a wider range of slow-motion recording capabilities. |
| Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Manual focus | Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF | A73 5G offers Optical image stabilization (OIS) for smoother videos and clearer photos, along with a more sophisticated autofocus system. Poco F3 includes more manual control over camera settings; A73 5G offers a more complete camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradeable to 16) | Galaxy A73 5G has a newer Android version and guarantees longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6, MIMO | WiFi 6 | Both offer similar WiFi connectivity standards with the Poco F3 having Wi-Fi MiMO functionality which enables faster and more stable connections in optimal scenarios. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC) | 5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP) | Poco F3 has a newer Bluetooth version, with advanced audio codecs (APT-x, LDAC) for higher-quality audio over wireless headphones. A73 5G has more profile support for different Bluetooth functionality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC system | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco F3 has more advanced GPS, offering better location accuracy and quicker positioning, especially in urban areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM setups, providing more flexibility with network usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer the same maximum storage, allowing users to choose their desired storage capacity. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both devices offer the same RAM options, which is good for multitasking and general phone use. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage, so you'll need to pick a device with adequate storage to begin with. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 has Hi-Res Audio certification, implying slightly better audio output and clearer audio compared to Samsung A73 5G. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are generally quicker and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both devices feature the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Geomagnetic, RGB, Fingerprint | Both devices have similar sensor systems. Samsung A73 5G additionally features geomagnetic and RGB sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness ensures excellent visibility in sunlight, a key advantage for outdoor use.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging capability allows for quicker top-ups compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A73 5G.
- Better Audio Output: Features Hi-Res Audio support for slightly higher-quality audio output.
- More advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for superior location accuracy.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.1 with advanced audio codecs
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated wide-angle, depth, and macro camera. Main and front camera has much higher resolution.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery might offer slightly longer battery life, although real-world use depends on user habits.
- Newer Software and Update Policy: Ships with Android 12, offers more guaranteed software updates and a longer lifecycle.
- OIS: Optical Image stabilization which leads to smoother videos and clearer pictures.
- Bypass Charging: Charging is bypassed when gaming which leads to cooler temperatures.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3 sacrifices camera versatility and battery capacity for significantly better performance.
- Galaxy A73 5G offers a more comprehensive camera system and slightly better battery life, but at the cost of reduced performance compared to the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is Ideal For:
- Gamers: Its powerful processor and GPU offer a better gaming experience with smoother frame rates and faster loading times.
- Power Users: Users who demand high performance for multitasking, editing, or running demanding apps.
- Media Consumers (Outdoor Use): The brighter display makes it ideal for people who frequently use their phones outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Users who prioritize performance over all other features
- Users who want a faster charging phone
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is Ideal For:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system with wide-angle, depth, and macro lenses allows for more creative photography.
- Users who value longevity: Guaranteed software updates and a longer lifecycle make this a suitable option.
- Users who are concerned about battery life and a cooler gaming experience: The large battery and bypass charging are ideal.
- Everyday Users: The more rounded feature set is suitable for people who perform a variety of tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance to you? (Gaming, demanding apps)
- Do you prioritize versatile camera options or performance in your smartphone? (Photography vs. speed)
- What is your typical usage scenario? (Mostly indoors or outdoors, how much do you charge)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy gaming and performance-intensive tasks: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its significantly faster performance and better gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Photography and camera versatility: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G for its more comprehensive camera system with a wider variety of lenses.
- Scenario 3: Balanced user with a mix of all-around usage: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G may be better suited due to its balanced feature set, larger battery and longer software support.
- Scenario 4: Prefer faster charging speed and better outdoor visibility: The Xiaomi Poco F3 has much faster charging speed, and a better bright screen which will help for outdoor usage.
- Scenario 5: Value longevity with longer software support: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers better software support with the guarantee of more updates.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the camera versatility and larger battery of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G are appealing, the raw performance difference of the Poco F3 is too significant to overlook for my daily usage. I value a fast and fluid experience when using my smartphone and the Snapdragon 870 chipset in the Poco F3 will provide smoother performance, and is ideal for my needs. In addition, the brighter display is essential for using my phone outdoors, and the faster charging capabilities are a big plus. Although I would love the versatility of the camera on the A73, I would gladly trade that for the better performance and features the Poco F3 provides.
