Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm | Poco F3 is slightly taller and thicker; S23+ is more compact. |
Weight | 196g | 196g | Both phones have identical weight; no difference in hand feel due to weight. |
Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | Unknown. This impacts durability and feel |
Display
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen real estate for most users. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness; not noticeable in typical use. |
PPI | 395 | 393 | Virtually identical pixel density; no visible difference in clarity. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | S23+ has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23+ offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
Antutu Score | 800,216 | 1,508,732 | S23+ scores significantly higher in benchmarks; real-world impact is smoother performance. |
GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 | S23+ provides better graphics for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
Main Camera | 48MP f/1.79 1/2" | 50MP f/1.8 1/1.57" | S23+ likely captures more detail and better low-light performance due to larger sensor and slightly better aperture. |
Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.45 1/3.4" | 12MP f/2.2 | Poco F3 captures higher resolution selfies, but the S23+ has a wider aperture. |
Telephoto Lens | Not available | 10MP f/2.4 | S23+ offers optical zoom capabilities for versatile photography. |
Wide Angle Lens | Not available | 12.2MP f/2.2 | S23+ offers a wider field of view for group shots and landscapes. |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | S23+ offers significantly higher video quality and better video features. |
Video Stabilisation | EIS | EIS | Both provide Electronic Image Stabilisation |
Slow-motion | Yes, 960fps | Yes, 240 fps | Poco F3 supports 960fps while the S23+ has 240fps. |
DxOMark | Not tested | 133 | S23+ has good camera capabilities. Poco F3 not tested |
Battery
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 4520mAh | 4700mAh | Both phones provide comparable battery life. |
Charging | 33W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S23+ charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
Wireless Charging | No | 10W wireless (Qi/PMA), 4.5W reverse wireless | S23+ offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages
- Potentially Lower Price: The Poco F3 is an older model, and its price is likely much lower, offering good value for the cost-conscious consumer.
- Higher resolution front camera: The selfie camera offers more detailed images.
- Higher Slow Motion FPS: Supports 960 FPS while S23+ has 240fps.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users may prefer this sensor placement.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers a substantially better user experience, including faster app launches and smoother multitasking.
- Superior Camera System: The S23+ has a more versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better low-light performance, and 8K video recording.
- Brighter Display: The significantly brighter display enhances outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- More Up-to-Date Software: S23+ ships with Android 13 and is slated to receive updates for a longer period.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM for more flexible dual-SIM capabilities.
- Superior build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offers superior protection for the screen
Trade-offs
- Poco F3: Sacrifices camera versatility, performance, and screen brightness for a lower price.
- S23+: Is much more expensive; lacks the high slow motion recording of the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a good balance of features and performance at a lower price.
- Casual Gamers: Capable of handling most games reasonably well, though not at the highest settings.
- Users Less Concerned with Photography: Acceptable camera performance for everyday use.
Use Cases: Social media browsing, video streaming, casual gaming, everyday tasks.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Ideal Users
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand the fastest performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Photography Lovers: Those wanting a versatile camera system with excellent image quality.
- Users Who Value Display Quality: Those who need good visibility in bright sunlight.
- Power Users: Who value premium features and the latest technology.
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, demanding app usage, outdoor use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- What's your budget? The Poco F3 offers a much more affordable entry point.
- How important is camera quality? The S23+ is superior for photography and videography.
- How important is performance? The S23+ offers a significant performance advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. It provides great value for the price.
- Scenario 2: Performance Focused Gaming
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23+. The best-in-class chipset and GPU give the best performance.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23+. Its versatile camera system offers superior results.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23+. Overall better long-term value with improved specifications.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+. While the Xiaomi Poco F3 offers compelling value, the significantly superior performance, camera capabilities, and brighter display of the S23+ justify the higher price for my usage. As a power user who enjoys mobile gaming and photography, the S23+ offers a more future-proof experience. The improved software support and the more refined features are also valuable to me. Although I appreciate a lower price point, the overall value and experience of the S23+ are much better overall.