1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm | The Poco F3 is slightly taller but both are similar in width and thickness, resulting in similar in-hand feel, but the S24+ is slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 196g | 196g | Both phones have an identical weight, making them feel very similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligibly small difference in screen size; both are large enough for immersive media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3120 | The S24+ display is significantly sharper with more detail, resulting in better image and text clarity. |
| PPI | 395 | 513 | The higher pixel density on the S24+ results in noticeably crisper visuals, especially noticeable when reading small text or viewing high-resolution images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | AMOLED technology on the Poco F3 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. S24+ display tech is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones offer a smooth and fluid user experience with 120Hz refresh rate, suitable for gaming and scrolling through social media feeds. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nits | The S24+ screen is significantly brighter, providing excellent outdoor visibility under direct sunlight, while the Poco F3 can struggle. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the S24+ is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,639,695 | The S24+ scores substantially higher, showing its significantly better performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 / Xclipse 940 | The S24+ has a significantly more powerful GPU, leading to superior graphics performance in gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520 mAh | 4900 mAh | The S24+ has a slightly larger battery that could translate to somewhat longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 45W fast charging | The S24+ charges faster, allowing for shorter charging times and more time using the device. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0, non-removable | Bypass charging, reverse charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, non-removable | S24+ has more versatile charging options, including wireless charging and the ability to act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | The S24+ has a larger sensor, typically resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" sensor | 12MP, f/2.2 Sensor size unspecified | The Poco F3 offers a higher resolution selfie, but the S24+ has a wider aperture which could potentially improve low light performance. Sensor size missing on S24+. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" sensor | The S24+ has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for better optical zoom capabilities, while the Poco F3 relies on digital zoom that often results in lower quality images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | The S24+ has a dedicated wide-angle lens, providing versatility for capturing broader scenes, while the Poco F3 does not offer this feature. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS up to 1080p@960fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, EIS, Stereo Sound, HDR up to 1080p@240fps | The S24+ offers superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolution and a more advanced video stabilization system and more robust HDR, offering more professional quality content creation. |
| Features | 4K, Digital zoom, digital stabilization, etc. | 8K, Digital/Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW etc. | The S24+ offers more advanced camera features, including OIS, and a telephoto lens making it a far more versatile camera system. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradeable to 21) | The S24+ has a more recent OS and will receive more software updates, providing access to the latest features and security improvements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | The S24+ supports Wi-Fi 6E, which offers potentially faster speeds and less interference, leading to a more reliable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The S24+ features the newer Bluetooth 5.3 standard, which can result in better power efficiency, stability, and some additional features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Both phones offer robust GPS functionality, but the Poco F3 has some additional systems for better accuracy in certain regions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | The S24+ offers more flexibility with support for eSIM, allowing for digital SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | The S24+ offers significantly more base storage. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | The S24+ has significantly more RAM for more efficient multitasking and background app management. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage, meaning users must rely on internal memory. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 has enhanced spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. S24+ includes noise cancellation for better call quality. Both have stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted sensor on the Poco F3 can be more intuitive for some users, while S24+ offers a basic solution. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24+ has a more scratch-resistant and impact resistant screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | S24+ has a more comprehensive set of sensors and adds a barometer for altitude information. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- AMOLED Display: Offers superior contrast and deeper blacks, enhancing the viewing experience in dark conditions and for HDR content.
- Dolby Atmos & Hi-Res Audio: Provides an enhanced audio experience, especially for music and video playback, with more spatial audio than the S24+
- Potentially lower cost: As an older model, the Poco F3 can often be found at a significantly lower price, offering better value for budget-conscious buyers.
- Advanced side-mounted Fingerprint sensor: More user-friendly fingerprint sensor for certain individuals.
- More GPS Satellite Systems: The Poco F3 supports a greater number of GPS satellite systems than the S24+ for improved location accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides a massive performance boost, making it far better for demanding games and heavy multitasking.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density provide significantly better clarity and detail, noticeably improving the viewing experience.
- Much Brighter Display: Offers superior outdoor visibility with a much brighter screen, essential for comfortable use in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera System: The addition of telephoto and wide-angle lenses, along with a larger main sensor, offers a more versatile and higher quality camera experience.
- Superior Video Recording: The ability to record in 8K, along with more advanced features and HDR, provides a much more professional video recording solution.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging shortens charging times for increased productivity and less downtime.
- Wireless Charging: Adds convenience by enabling wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for accessories.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility for travel and carrier management with its support for eSIM technology.
- More storage and RAM: The S24+ offers more RAM and more storage for better multitasking and data storage capacity.
- Upgraded Software: Ships with a more modern OS and is guaranteed for future Android versions making it last longer for more software support.
- Superior Screen Protection: S24+ has the more scratch and impact resistant screen with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes an additional barometer, hall, and geomagnetic sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3, while a capable phone, is significantly outperformed by the S24+ in almost every performance metric and the camera is not as versatile.
- The S24+ is considerably more expensive than the Poco F3, which is reflected in its specifications and features.
- While the Poco F3 offers an AMOLED display, its peak brightness is much lower making outdoor use difficult.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking good performance and features at a lower price point.
- Media consumers: Users who appreciate the superior contrast of an AMOLED display for watching movies, or who listen to music on their devices frequently.
- Casual gamers: Users who play less demanding games and don't require cutting-edge performance and graphical output.
Specific Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Everyday usage: Browsing social media, communication, basic productivity, and media consumption.
- Travel: Good for general use and navigation due to it's vast GPS system compatibility.
- Users that prefer side-mounted fingerprint scanners: More natural and intuitive user experience.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ is ideal for:
- Power users: Those who need maximum performance for demanding tasks, like gaming and video editing.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Users who value versatility in their camera system and high-quality video recording.
- Users requiring the latest features and tech: Those who want the newest features available, better software support, and a more modern phone.
- Professionals: Users who rely on their phone for business purposes will appreciate the superior camera, performance, and reliability of the S24+.
Specific Use Cases for S24+:
- High-end gaming: Superior performance for smooth and immersive mobile gaming experiences.
- Professional photography and videography: Capture high-quality photos and videos with the telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and robust stabilization.
- Outdoor use: Brighter display makes the phone easier to use in direct sunlight.
- Business tasks: The phone is faster and more efficient, and more secure, which is critical for professionals.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers choose:
- What is my budget? The Poco F3 will offer more value at a lower cost, while the S24+ comes with premium features at a premium price.
- How important is performance and features? If a user is a power user or a mobile photographer, the S24+ has significantly more performance and camera features. The Poco F3 is more suited to a casual user.
- What are my usage needs? Do I need a brighter screen, more versatile camera, more advanced software, or longer software support?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Poco F3 if you need a good all-rounder at a lower cost but don't need the latest features, and performance is not the most important factor.
- Power User: Choose the S24+ if you need top-tier performance for gaming or other demanding tasks.
- Mobile Photographer/Videographer: Choose the S24+ for a more versatile camera with better image and video quality.
- Software and longevity: S24+ is the only option if you need the most modern software and longest software support from the manufacturer.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24+. While it comes at a higher price point, the substantial performance increase with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, along with the vastly superior display with higher resolution and brightness, would make a noticeable difference in my daily usage. The improved camera system with its versatile lenses and superior video capabilities are also features I value as a content creator and avid photographer. The longer software support also guarantees that the device will be useful and secure for longer, while the expanded storage and RAM also make a huge difference in the long run. While the Poco F3 is a good option for those on a tighter budget, the S24+ offers a better overall experience and performance that justifies the higher price for my specific usage needs.
