Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold3 offers a unique tablet-like experience when unfolded, while the Poco F3 is a standard smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm (unfolded) | Poco F3 is taller and thicker, Z Fold3 is much wider when unfolded. The Z Fold 3 is significantly less thick when unfolded and has a smaller height, but is much wider. |
| Weight | 196g | 271g | Poco F3 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and longer periods. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Z Fold3 has better scratch and shatter resistance, and more premium feel than the Poco F3. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 7.6" | Z Fold3 offers a substantially larger screen for multitasking, content consumption, and gaming. Poco F3 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1768 x 2208 | Z Fold3 has significantly sharper text and images, but the difference in practical usage may not be very noticeable. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 374 | Poco F3 has slightly sharper display than the Z Fold3 on paper, but they are very similar in terms of pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | | Poco F3 offers better color vibrancy, deeper blacks and greater contrast than the unknown display technology of the Z Fold3. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations, resulting in a very similar experience. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 0 | Poco F3 has drastically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight and generally superior visibility in high brightness environments. Z Fold3 lacks brightness information, making it difficult to assess its screen quality. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Z Fold3 has a more powerful chipset, which translates to slightly faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks, although both are very close in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 898,700 | Z Fold3 scores approximately 12% higher, indicating better raw processing power, although in practical usage the difference may not be very noticeable. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | Z Fold3 offers slightly better gaming and graphics performance in resource-intensive applications, though they are both similar in gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | Poco F3 has higher megapixel count, but the Z Fold3 features a larger sensor and larger pixel size on the main camera, which translates to better low light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.76" | The Z Fold3 has a significantly larger sensor, allowing it to capture more light and detail, which translates to much better low light performance |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco F3 has slightly wider aperture, but the difference in practical impact will likely be minor. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 10MP | Poco F3 has higher megapixel count, but Z Fold3 has a larger sensor and pixel size which translates to better low light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.2" | Z Fold3's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Z Fold3 has a wider aperture, which means it has slightly better light sensitivity for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | Yes | Z Fold3 has an advantage with dedicated zoom capabilities for better zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes | Z Fold3 provides a much wider field of view for group shots or landscapes. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) | HDR, EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) | Z Fold3's HDR and EIS results in smoother videos with better dynamic range and superior quality compared to EIS of the Poco F3. |
| Slow Motion Video | Up to 960fps | Up to 240fps | Poco F3 can capture slow motion video at a higher framerate, but at a lower quality than the Z Fold3. |
| Camera Features | Basic set | Advanced set, OIS, Laser AF, etc. | Z Fold3 offers a much wider array of shooting options and settings and performs better in low light. |
| DxOMark Score | Not available | Mobile: 120; Selfie: 83 | Z Fold3 is a much better camera than the Poco F3. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520 mAh | 4400 mAh | Both have similar capacity, implying similar battery endurance under normal conditions. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Poco F3 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | QC3 +/PD3.0 Support | 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless, Bypass | Z Fold3 has more charging options, particularly useful for those invested in wireless charging ecosystem. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Z Fold3 is guaranteed to receive updates for longer, providing a longer lifespan for the device. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Z Fold3 has a newer and more advanced bluetooth version, with more protocols. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco F3 has a more comprehensive set of positioning systems, likely resulting in a more accurate location experience, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Z Fold3 offers the flexibility of using an eSIM alongside physical SIMs. |
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | Z Fold3 is available in higher storage configurations, which makes it more suitable for users with large media libraries or applications. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB | Z Fold3 offers significantly more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and a smoother user experience with more intensive applications and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones cannot be expanded via microSD. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 provides a slightly superior audio experience with Hi-Res Audio for more refined listening. |
| Security | Side Fingerprint Sensor | Side Fingerprint Sensor | Both have similar side mounted fingerprint sensor for fast unlocking. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Z Fold3 has a more comprehensive sensor suite, which translates to more features and greater compatibility with applications and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable for One-Handed Use: At 196g, it's considerably lighter than the Z Fold3, making it easier for long-term use.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits provides superior visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging replenishes the battery more quickly.
- Hi-Res Audio: Offers superior audio output for audiophiles.
- More Comprehensive GPS: Includes more positioning systems for better location accuracy.
- Lower Cost: The Poco F3 is typically more affordable.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Design with Larger Screen: The 7.6" unfolded display offers a unique, tablet-like experience for content consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Benchmark Score: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides better processing power, although not dramatically.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto and wide-angle lenses, along with OIS for better image quality and more shooting options.
- Superior Video Recording Quality: HDR videos, enhanced EIS and superior low light performance compared to Poco F3.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Offers flexibility for charging other devices and easier wireless charging experience.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM provides superior multitasking capabilities and overall system smoothness.
- More Internal Storage Options: Up to 512 GB of internal storage
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection offers enhanced screen protection.
- eSIM Support: Additional flexibility in choosing mobile carriers.
- Longer Software Update Support: Guaranteed Android updates for a longer time.
- Comprehensive set of Sensors: Wide array of sensors including a barometer.
Key Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Z Fold3 is significantly heavier and bulkier than the Poco F3.
- Display Brightness: Z Fold3 lacks brightness specifications, making its outdoor visibility questionable compared to the Poco F3.
- Cost: The Z Fold3 is significantly more expensive.
- Battery: The Z Fold3 is slightly smaller and has less capacity compared to the Poco F3, which means that the battery is expected to not last as long as the Poco F3.
- Charging Speed: The Z Fold3 charges at a slower rate compared to the Poco F3 (25W vs 33W).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers who want a high-performance phone for gaming, media consumption, and everyday use, without needing a foldable display or advanced camera features.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, streaming videos, social media, and general productivity.
- Strengths: Excellent performance for the price, lighter weight, brighter screen.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users seeking a versatile device with tablet-like functionality, advanced camera features, and a premium build. Willing to pay a premium price for these features.
- Use Cases: Multitasking between several apps, watching content on the large display, professional photography and videography, and utilizing the latest wireless technologies and features such as wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and eSIM support.
- Strengths: Unique foldable design, large display, advanced camera features, more RAM, wireless charging capabilities and more sophisticated sensors for more versatile usability.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions a potential buyer should ask themselves:
- Budget: Is it more important to have a more affordable and standard smartphone with good performance or a premium foldable one with cutting-edge features regardless of cost?
- Usage Style: Do you need a device mainly for standard smartphone tasks, or would you make use of a larger tablet-like display and the advanced features of a premium phone such as better cameras, wireless charging, and better build quality?
- Physical Form Factor: Do you need a lighter, more pocketable phone, or are you comfortable with a heavier, bulkier device that can unfold into a small tablet?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious & Performance-Focused: If you prioritize a cost-effective phone with a focus on performance and a great screen, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the better choice.
- Multimedia & Productivity Power User: If you frequently need a larger display for content consumption, multitasking, or creative work, and are willing to pay a higher price for cutting edge tech, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is the superior option.
- Photography Enthusiast: If the camera is the most important consideration, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G with its superior sensors, larger pixels, wide angle and telephoto lens, and OIS would be a better option.
- Users that are more concerned about size and weight: If you prefer a light and more compact phone, then the Xiaomi Poco F3 would be the better option, especially due to its light weight and smaller physical footprint.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G despite its higher price and bulkier form factor. The main reason is the larger screen, the versatility of the camera, the wireless charging capabilities, and the greater update support. While the Poco F3 offers excellent value and is a great option in its own right, the Z Fold3's unique form factor and advanced features align better with my usage needs and preferences, despite the additional cost.
