1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | Poco F3 is wider and slightly thinner, while Xperia 1 III is taller and thicker. This impacts one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 196g | 186g | The Xperia 1 III is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Xperia 1 III offers superior scratch and impact protection for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | The Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen, which can be more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 III has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 643 | The Xperia 1 III offers significantly sharper visuals. This is especially noticeable when reading text or viewing detailed images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the difference is minimal in practical terms. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide a smooth scrolling experience for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The Poco F3 has significantly higher peak brightness making it much more usable in bright sunlight, this value for Xperia is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) | The Snapdragon 888 in the Xperia 1 III is slightly more powerful, resulting in smoother performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 889,100 | The Xperia 1 III has a slightly higher benchmark score, indicating better overall performance, although this doesn't always translate to real-world experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the Xperia 1 III offers better graphics performance for gaming. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | The Xperia 1 III has significantly more RAM, which is beneficial for heavy multitasking and future-proofing. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | Poco F3 captures higher resolution photos, though the higher pixel count doesn't always mean better quality, especially in low light |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.7 | Xperia 1 III has a slightly wider aperture, which might help in low light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.80 µm | Xperia 1 III has larger pixels, allowing it to capture more light and potentially better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 8MP | Poco F3 captures higher resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.0 | Xperia 1 III has a wider aperture, which should result in better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | No | Yes (12MP) | Xperia 1 III offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for zoomed shots with minimal loss of quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes (12MP) | Xperia 1 III has a wide-angle lens, capturing a wider field of view. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | No | Yes | Xperia 1 III has a dedicated ToF sensor, which can improve autofocus and depth effects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps w/ EIS | Up to 4K@120fps w/ HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 III has more video recording options, including 4k at 120fps with HDR and optical stabilization, while the Poco F3 has a very basic video system that doesn't even have OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), and can't record 4k videos at more than 30fps. |
| Stabilization | EIS | OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 III offers superior video stabilization. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) physically compensates for hand movements resulting in smoother videos. |
| Additional Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, manual focus | Quadruple camera, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | Xperia 1 III offers a more versatile and feature-rich camera experience. |
| DxOMark Score | Not tested | Mobile: 105, Photo: 107, Video: 92 | Xperia 1 III's camera performance is rated at above average. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4500mAh | Both offer similar battery capacities, and should provide roughly similar battery life, although the resolution and different chipsets may impact real-world battery use. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Poco F3 offers slightly faster charging speeds. |
| Charging Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Bypass Charging | Poco F3 supports various fast charging standards while the Xperia 1 III's bypass charging can help reduce heat during long gaming sessions. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both phones run a slightly outdated Android version with minor tweaks. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast WiFi standards; Poco F3 offers enhanced connectivity in areas with crowded networks thanks to MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Xperia 1 III has a newer Bluetooth version, which may offer slight improvements in connectivity and power efficiency, and additionally supports more audio profiles. |
| 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), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM capabilities. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Xperia 1 III offers more internal storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer excellent audio quality through headphones and speakers. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer convenient biometric security |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 III | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall | Xperia 1 III has a more complete sensor set, which is useful for different applications and advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness makes it easier to see in direct sunlight.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 33W charging offers marginal time savings over the 30W of the Xperia 1 III.
- More GPS Satellites Support more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy.
- More Affordable: Typically available at a lower price point.
Sony Xperia 1 III Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Much sharper display due to significantly higher pixel density.
- Superior Camera System: Includes telephoto, wide-angle, and ToF sensors, with features like OIS and RAW capture, vastly superior video quality with the ability to record 4k videos at 120fps with HDR.
- More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 888 offers slightly better performance in demanding tasks and gaming.
- More RAM: 12GB of RAM ensures smoother multitasking and better app handling.
- Superior Build: Gorilla Glass Victus provides enhanced screen protection.
- Better Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth 5.2 with more audio profiles.
- More Storage Options: Offers configurations with higher storage capacity.
- Better Video Recording Capabilities: Superior OIS, EIS and the ability to record 4k videos at 120fps makes the Xperia 1 III far superior in video recording.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Offers additional environmental sensors for various use cases.
- Better Audio Profiles: More bluetooth audio profiles.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices camera quality, display sharpness, and performance for a more budget-friendly price and better display brightness.
- Xperia 1 III: More expensive, heavier, and has a less bright display compared to the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
Sony Xperia 1 III Ideal User:
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Poco F3 is more budget-friendly, while the Xperia 1 III is more expensive.
- What do you prioritize most? (camera quality, screen sharpness, performance, screen brightness)
- What are your primary use cases? (daily use, gaming, professional work, photography, videography)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. It offers a large, bright display and good performance for everyday use at a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Serious Photographer/Videographer:
- Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 III. It offers a superior camera system with features for professional-level photography and videography.
- Scenario 3: Performance Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 III. Its higher-end chipset, more RAM, and sharper display will be more beneficial for intensive use cases.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor user who needs to read under direct sunlight:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. The superior peak brightness will make it much more usable under direct sunlight.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Reasoning:
While the Poco F3 is a very good phone in its price range and offers better peak brightness, my needs align more with what the Xperia 1 III offers.
- Camera Capabilities: As someone who values photography and videography, the Xperia 1 III’s superior camera system, with its telephoto, wide-angle, and ToF lenses, OIS, RAW capture, and superior 4k video recording capabilities make it the clear choice. This gives the user far more creative options and better results.
- Display Sharpness: The higher resolution and pixel density of the Xperia 1 III significantly enhance the overall user experience for daily content consumption, I find this more important than the Poco F3's higher peak brightness.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888, along with the 12GB of RAM, ensures that the phone will handle any tasks I throw at it with ease and will be more future-proof.
- Build Quality: The Gorilla Glass Victus provides a higher level of scratch and drop protection, giving the user more peace of mind.
- Additional Features: The extra sensors, better Bluetooth profiles, and more storage space add to the overall premium experience.
- Future proofing: The superior chipset, memory and features will ensure this device can stay up to par longer than the Poco F3.
The significantly superior camera system and sharper display make the Xperia 1 III the better overall package for my needs. Although it's more expensive, the benefits it provides in photography, video, performance, and overall quality outweigh the price difference for my personal use case.
