Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6 mm | Poco F3 is significantly larger and slightly thicker, which affects one-handed use and pocketability. S23 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 196g | 168g | S23 is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The 28g difference is noticeable when holding the phone for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.1" | Poco F3 has a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. S23 is more compact and easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have similar FHD+ resolution, providing sharp images. The slightly higher pixel count on the Poco F3 is almost unnoticeable. |
| PPI | 395 | 425 | S23 has a slightly higher pixel density resulting in a marginally sharper display. While noticeable when closely inspected, the average user may not perceive a significant difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED tech, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. This results in high-quality viewing experiences on both phones. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and animations. This makes both phones feel responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | S23 is significantly brighter, providing much better visibility in direct sunlight. The Poco F3 may struggle under intense bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | S23 has a much newer and more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The Poco F3, while still capable, is less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,456,671 | S23 demonstrates dramatically higher performance in benchmarks, translating to noticeable real-world differences in speed and responsiveness. The 82% higher score of S23 showcases the generational performance leap. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 | S23's Adreno 740 provides significantly better graphics performance, especially for gaming. It allows for higher frame rates and better visual quality. The Poco F3's GPU is now dated. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 3900mAh | Poco F3 has a larger battery which could mean better battery life between charges. However real world usage will vary. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | Poco F3 charges faster (33W vs 25W), potentially reducing charging times. Battery chemistry differences could impact longevity although there's no data to prove this here. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Bypass charging, reverse charging, 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | S23 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. The Poco F3 does not support wireless charging but offers faster wired charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5, 1.0µm pixels | S23 features a larger sensor and slightly larger pixels, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The higher resolution on S23 contributes to better detail in photos. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU, unspecified pixel size | Poco F3 has higher resolution front-facing camera. The wider aperture on S23 potentially leads to better low-light selfies, although sensor details are missing. |
| Telephoto | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", Samsung S5K3K1, 1.0µm pixels | S23 has a telephoto lens, allowing optical zoom, improving clarity at distance. Poco F3 lacks optical zoom and relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX564, 1.4µm pixels | S23 has a wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. The Poco F3 doesn't have a wide angle option. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S23 offers higher quality video recording with 8K resolution, HDR and Stereo sound for richer audio. S23 offers HDR for videos and more detailed and smooth videos in multiple resolutions. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 133 (Photo:0, Video: 0) | Samsung Galaxy S23 has been tested for Mobile camera and receives a score of 133, whereas the Xiaomi Poco F3 has not been tested yet. |
| Camera Features | Standard features | Advanced features like Night Mode, OIS, RAW | S23 boasts a suite of features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), and RAW capture which the Poco F3 lacks. These features significantly improve image quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradeable to 17) | S23 offers a more up-to-date OS and a longer software support lifespan with upgrades up to Android 17 while Poco F3's is at end-of-life software support. This means S23 gets latest features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both feature modern WiFi standards. Both support similar WiFi versions and features for fast, reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (with various codecs) | 5.3 (with various codecs, ANT+) | S23 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially more efficient and stable connections. The range of supported protocols on the S23 is also greater. |
| GPS | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Both phones offer various GPS protocols but Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. S23, however offers greater support for specific GPS bands, offering a different kind of benefit |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | S23 offers more flexibility with eSIM support in addition to Dual Nano SIM. Poco F3 does not support eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | S23 provides a higher capacity 512GB option, offering significantly more space for files, photos and videos. Both don't support expandable storage so this is the max. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 8GB | Both provide good RAM capacity for multitasking, S23 offers a fixed 8 GB configuration that is sufficient for any use case. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, making internal storage capacity important. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 offers Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio for enhanced audio experience. S23 offers noise-cancelling microphone for better call clarity. Both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi's side-mounted sensor is a good implementation of the fingerprint sensor, while the S23 has a basic sensor with no indication of where its located, probably an in-display one. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23 has a more advanced glass screen for better scratch resistance and protection from drops. The Victus 2 protection is superior to the Gorilla Glass 5 on the Poco F3. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S23 has more sensors. Poco F3 has an ultrasonic sensor. S23 has a more comprehensive set of sensors including environmental sensors like the barometer which are missing from the Poco F3. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A 6.67" screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: The 4520mAh battery has more capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging is faster compared to 25W on the S23.
- Audio Enhancements: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio offer a better audio experience.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted sensor is quick, reliable and easy to use.
- More GPS Satellites: The Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides significantly better speed and responsiveness.
- Brighter Display: The 1750 nits brightness offers much better outdoor visibility.
- Better Cameras: Better image quality, telephoto and wide-angle lenses, and advanced features like OIS and RAW support.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- More Flexible SIM: Supports eSIM in addition to dual nano SIMs.
- More Storage Options: Up to 512GB internal storage.
- Newer Software: The S23 offers a more up-to-date OS with longer software support and updates.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers better scratch resistance and drop protection.
- More Sensors: The S23 has a better sensor suite, including environmental sensors like the barometer.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 sacrifices camera quality, software support, and processing power for a lower price.
- The S23 has a smaller display and battery and is more expensive, but compensates with superior performance and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal Users: Price-conscious users, media consumers, gamers on a budget.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies on a larger screen.
- Playing mobile games with decent performance at an affordable price.
- Users needing a large screen and good battery life.
- Price-to-Value: High value for budget-conscious users who prioritize screen size, battery, and some gaming capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy S23:
- Ideal Users: Users who want top-tier performance, camera quality, and long-term software support.
- Use Cases:
- Photography and videography enthusiasts who want quality results.
- Power users who demand the best performance for multitasking and heavy apps.
- Those who need a compact phone with a premium feel and better display quality.
- Price-to-Value: High value for users who are willing to pay for top-of-the-line performance, camera quality, and software.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Poco F3 is a more affordable option.
- What are your priorities? Do you prioritize performance and camera quality (S23), or screen size and battery (Poco F3)?
- How important are software updates and longevity? The S23 has a longer lifespan with software updates.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Media Consumer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. It offers a large display, good battery life, and decent performance for its price, perfect for watching videos, and playing games on a budget.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast/Power User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23. Its superior camera system, including the additional telephoto and wide-angle lenses, coupled with the faster chipset and better screen, make it suitable for heavy use.
- Scenario 3: User Looking for a Compact, Future-Proof Phone: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23. The S23's smaller size makes it comfortable to hold, while the more powerful chipset, wireless charging, and longer software update support makes it a better option for long term use.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S23. Although the Poco F3 offers great value for the money, the S23's significant advantages in key areas are more important for my needs.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a major upgrade over the Snapdragon 870, ensuring smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience, which are things I value highly.
- Camera Quality: As someone who often takes pictures, the better camera setup with optical zoom, wide-angle, and OIS is essential.
- Software and Updates: I prefer having the latest Android version with guaranteed updates and a longer software support lifespan.
- Display Brightness: The significantly brighter display on the S23 is important, as I often use my phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Wireless Charging: The addition of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging is very convenient and a feature I value.
- Better Sensor Suite: The S23's sensor suite is more comprehensive including environmental sensors which is a plus for any kind of advanced use.
While the Poco F3's larger screen and battery are attractive, the S23's superior performance, camera, software support, and overall better build quality are worth the higher cost. The S23 provides a more premium, future-proof experience that aligns better with my preferences.
