1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Fold4 offers a tablet-like experience when unfolded, while the Poco F3 is a traditional smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm | Poco F3 is taller and thicker, Fold4 is significantly wider when unfolded. Fold4's folded dimensions are smaller. |
| Weight | 196g | 263g | Poco F3 is lighter, more comfortable for long periods. Fold4 is heavier, which is noticeable when holding or carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 7.6" | Fold4 offers much more screen real estate, better for multitasking and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1812x2176 | Fold4 has higher resolution, resulting in sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 373 PPI | Poco F3 has slightly sharper pixel density, not noticeable in most use cases. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not specified, but likely AMOLED | Poco F3's AMOLED display offers vibrant colours and deep blacks. Fold4's display is also likely AMOLED providing similar quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not Provided) | Poco F3 is much brighter, significantly better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. Fold4's brightness is not specified, but high. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Fold4 has a more powerful and efficient processor, leading to better performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,232,800 | Fold4 is noticeably faster, offering smoother app loading and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Fold4's GPU enables better graphics performance, especially beneficial for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520 mAh | 4400 mAh | Both have similar battery capacities. Expect similar battery life with typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Poco F3 charges faster than Fold4. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse/Wireless Charging, Non-removable | Fold4 offers wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities; Poco F3 offers faster charging protocol support. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | Fold4 has a larger sensor and pixel size which should result in better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | Fold4 has larger pixels for better low light selfies. Poco F3 has higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | Fold4 offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | Fold4 captures a wider field of view, useful for group shots and landscapes. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, Various 1080p, EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, Various 1080p, EIS | Fold4 offers higher resolution video recording with HDR, but also supports more advanced electronic stabilization capabilities |
| DXOMark | Not Available | Mobile: 124 (Photo: 131, Video: 122) | Fold4 has a rated camera quality which makes it better in overall photography. Poco F3 has no rating. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | More features: Optical Zoom, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Fold4 has a significantly better camera with more advanced capabilities. Poco F3 has only basic features |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | Fold4 has a newer version of Android and is expected to receive more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standard for fast data transfers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Fold4 uses a newer Bluetooth version offering slightly more efficient and advanced Bluetooth connectivity. |
| 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, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Fold4 supports eSIM which provides greater flexibility with mobile plans. Poco F3 supports using two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Fold4 offers significantly more storage, better for users who need space for lots of files. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12 GB | Fold4 has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you are limited to the internal storage amount. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 offers Hi-Res Audio, beneficial for audiophiles, the rest is comparable in terms of quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer fast biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Fold4 has better screen protection, more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Fold4 includes additional environmental sensors for advanced features, Poco F3 uses an ultrasonic proximity virtual. Fold4 has a more comprehensive suite, suited for gaming and advanced features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and carrying in pockets.
- Brighter Display: Better for outdoor use in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Refills the battery more quickly than the Fold4.
- Hi-Res Audio: Caters to audiophiles.
- Better GPS: More satellite systems for more accurate location.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a larger display for media consumption and multitasking.
- More Powerful Processor: Better performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Significantly More RAM: Enables smoother multitasking and more resource-intensive tasks.
- Significantly More Storage Options: Can hold a large amount of files.
- More Advanced Camera System: Higher image quality, with optical zoom, ultrawide, and better low-light performance.
- Newer Android OS: Newer OS and more future updates
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging More battery flexibility.
- More Comprehensive Sensors: Suitable for advanced features and gaming.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility with cellular plans.
- Superior screen protection: More durable.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Xiaomi Poco F3: Lacks the advanced features of the Fold4, such as optical zoom, wireless charging, and a foldable display. Has a less powerful processor.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: Heavier, bulkier, and significantly more expensive. Not as bright outdoors. Slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users who prioritize performance and a good display without a high price.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday social media and browsing.
- Gaming.
- Media consumption on a standard display.
- Users who need a lighter phone.
- Price to Value: Offers high performance for the price.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:
- Ideal Users: Power users, professionals, and tech enthusiasts who want a foldable screen and premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking on a large display.
- Productivity tasks (e.g., email, documents, spreadsheets).
- Mobile gaming and media consumption.
- Photography and video capture.
- Users needing flexibility in terms of cellular plan.
- Price to Value: Provides cutting-edge technology and a premium experience at a high price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Fold4 is significantly more expensive than the Poco F3.
- Do you need the foldable display of the Fold4, and how much value do you put on the larger display? If you do not need the foldable experience and just want a smartphone, the Poco F3 could be better, otherwise you need to consider whether the price is worth the large display.
- What is your primary use case? If you prioritize performance and portability, the Poco F3 is good. If you value multitasking, camera and cutting-edge features, Fold4 excels.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious User):
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3
- Reason: Offers great performance and features at a lower price. If a foldable screen is not needed, it's a smart choice.
- Scenario 2 (Power User):
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
- Reason: Provides powerful performance, a large display for multitasking, and a superior camera system. If budget is not a major concern, this is a top of the line choice.
- Scenario 3 (Mobile Photographer):
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
- Reason: Superior camera system with better features and an optical zoom lens, giving much better camera capabilities than the Poco F3.
- Scenario 4 (Long-term usage with heavy multitasking):
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
- Reason: The Fold 4 is guaranteed to receive updates for a longer period of time, and with its powerful chipset and high amount of RAM, it can be used longer and for heavier multitasking without experiencing slowdown.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. While it's significantly more expensive, its foldable screen provides unparalleled versatility for multitasking and media consumption. The superior camera, processor, RAM and storage make it a more future-proof device. Although the Poco F3 is an excellent mid-range phone, the unique functionality and premium experience offered by the Fold4 justify its high price, especially for someone who uses their phone heavily for work and entertainment.
