1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | Poco F3 is taller and thinner; M35 is wider and thicker, impacting hand feel and pocketability. M35 has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 196g | 222g | Poco F3 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Minimal difference in screen size, negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness; barely noticeable difference in pixel density. |
| PPI | 395 | 390 | Practically identical screen clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 has significantly better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Samsung Galaxy M35's brightness is not specified but it will be lower than Poco F3's 1300 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 is faster and offers better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 578,500 | Poco F3 shows better performance in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 650 tends to perform better in most gaming scenarios. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 6000mAh | Samsung M35 should offer significantly longer battery life due to its larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Poco F3 charges slightly faster with 33W charging, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer batteries tend to be more durable. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", Sony LYT-600, 1.0µm | M35 has slightly higher resolution and larger pixel size. Poco F3 has a wider aperture. Both will take good shots but the M35 may perform slightly better in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Poco F3 has higher resolution selfie, but M35 has a wider aperture and larger pixel size. May give comparable quality with different strengths. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | M35 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes, which Poco F3 lacks. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | M35 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which Poco F3 lacks. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Similar recording capabilities; M35 has OIS and better stabilization. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, AutoFraming, Autofocus, Touch focus, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | Samsung M35 offers more video and camera features, including OIS, Pro Video Mode, and Night Mode. Poco F3 offers manual focus. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 14 | M35 offers a newer Android version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar high-speed WiFi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 | M35 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better connectivity. |
| GPS | Extensive Satellite Systems | More limited Satellite Systems | Poco F3 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Identical storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Similar RAM options for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Both offer premium audio experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Similar fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Samsung Galaxy M35 has better screen protection with GG Victus. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | Samsung Galaxy M35 has additional sensors such as Hall and Geomagnetic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Brighter Display: With 1300 nits of brightness, the Poco F3 is much better for outdoor use in bright conditions.
- Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 870 chipset delivers a higher benchmark score and better performance than the Exynos 1380, making it better for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is quicker than the M35's 25W, which may reduce charging time.
- More GPS Satellites: The Poco F3 supports more satellite systems than the M35 for more accurate navigation.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery vs 4520mAh, giving significantly longer battery life for extended use.
- Wider and Macro Lens: Provides additional photography versatility for group shots, landscape shots and close-up shots.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with Android 14, giving the phone a software edge.
- Better Video Stabilization: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Ultra-stable video offer smoother video recordings, especially in low light.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior scratch and shatter resistance compared to Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3 offers superior performance but compromises on battery life, camera versatility, and build quality protection.
- Samsung Galaxy M35 provides a much larger battery and more camera options and build quality but with slightly lower processor performance and lower display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Gamers: Benefit from the powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU.
- Outdoor Users: The significantly brighter display ensures good visibility in sunny environments.
- Users Prioritizing Performance: Want a fast and responsive phone for everyday use and demanding apps.
- Users who don't mind compromising on battery life for speed
Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Using the phone in direct sunlight.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without slowdown.
- Smooth, fast mobile web browsing
- High performance app loading
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Users Who Value Battery Life: Need a phone that can last through a full day or more without charging.
- Mobile Photographers: Those who need more camera versatility through a wide-angle lens and macro lens with OIS video recording.
- Users who want a more durable phone with Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- Users who want the latest Android version.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy M35:
- Extended travel or outdoor activities with limited access to charging.
- Taking wide-angle landscape shots and close-up macro photography.
- Recording smooth video, even while moving.
- All day usage without needing to be near a charger.
- Users wanting the latest OS available.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The price of these phones may vary based on region and retailer. Generally, the Poco F3 is a bit older now, so it might be found for less, while the Galaxy M35 will be priced higher being a newer phone. Users should check the current price to determine which offers the best value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance and display brightness over battery life? If so, the Poco F3 may be a better choice.
- Do you value extended battery life and camera versatility, even at the expense of some processing power? If yes, the Galaxy M35 would be a stronger contender.
- Is having the latest software version and the best screen protection important? If yes, the M35 is a better fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy gamer or power user: Choose the Poco F3 for its superior performance and brighter display.
- Scenario 2: Casual user wanting long battery life and better camera features: Choose the Galaxy M35 for its larger battery and more versatile cameras, along with better build quality and newer OS.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor user needing good sunlight visibility and great GPS: Choose the Poco F3 for its brighter display and better GPS satellite support.
- Scenario 4: User with basic needs that also wants newer software and good screen protection: Choose the Galaxy M35 for its newer OS and Gorilla Glass Victus.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. My reasons are:
- Battery Life: The significantly larger 6000mAh battery is a huge advantage for my typical usage, which includes extended use throughout the day.
- Camera Versatility: I enjoy taking a variety of photos, and the addition of the wide-angle and macro lenses on the Galaxy M35 is very appealing.
- Screen Protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus on the M35 offers a better peace of mind.
- Newer OS: Having the latest Android version right out of the box is important for longevity and access to newer features.
- Balanced Performance: The Exynos 1380 is still a capable chip and more than sufficient for everyday tasks and light gaming. While not as fast as the Snapdragon 870, the advantages offered by the M35 outweigh the performance difference for me.
While the Poco F3's brighter display and faster processor are attractive, they don't outweigh the M35's advantages for my specific needs and preferences. The Galaxy M35 aligns more with my priorities of long battery life, camera versatility, and build quality.
