1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Sony Xperia 1 VI | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 162 × 74 × 8.2 mm | Poco F3 is slightly taller and wider, while Xperia 1 VI is a bit thicker. Minor differences in hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 192g | Virtually identical weight. Minimal difference noticeable in daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Poco F3 offers a slightly larger screen, more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar sharpness. Difference is not noticeable in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 396 PPI | Indistinguishable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations. Both provide the same experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 is significantly brighter, better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Note: Brightness data missing for Sony Xperia 1 VI, assuming low/average brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | Xperia 1 VI has a much newer and faster chipset, leading to a significant performance boost for gaming and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 2,110,000 | Xperia 1 VI is significantly faster, handles multitasking and demanding games much better. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 750 | Xperia 1 VI offers better graphics performance for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/2" Sony IMX582 | 48MP f/1.9, 1/1.4" Sony IMX888 | Xperia 1 VI has a larger sensor, capturing more light, resulting in better low-light performance and overall image quality. Poco F3 has wider aperture which may allow slightly more light, but smaller sensor is a limiting factor |
| Front Camera | 20MP f/2.45, 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 | 12MP f/2.0, 1/2.93" Sony IMX663 | Xperia 1 VI has a wider aperture and larger sensor for better low-light selfies. Poco F3 has higher resolution but sensor size and aperture are more important for image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not Available | 12MP f/2.3, 1/3.5" Sony IMX650 | Xperia 1 VI has a telephoto lens for optical zoom capabilities, not available on Poco F3 |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | Xperia 1 VI has a wide angle lens allowing for wider field of view and group shots, not available on Poco F3. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 1 VI offers more advanced video features, including higher frame rates, HDR, and optical image stabilization. Poco F3 offers electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| Camera Features | Basic | Noise reduction, Time-Lapse, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), RAW, Night Mode | Xperia 1 VI offers much more advanced camera features and modes. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 1 VI has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Poco F3 offers slightly faster charging speeds. |
| Battery Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging | Xperia 1 VI provides more versatile charging options, while Poco F3 supports common fast charging protocols. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Xperia 1 VI has a newer operating system with more features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Xperia 1 VI supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better performance on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | Xperia 1 VI has a newer Bluetooth version with more advanced features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1, B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | GPS (L1+L5), QZSS | Poco F3 has more satelite navigation systems for precise location in different geographic regions, Xperia 1 VI lacks some of them. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Xperia 1 VI supports eSIM for digital carrier switching in addition to nano SIM |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Xperia 1 VI has larger storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 12 GB | Xperia 1 VI has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Poco F3 offers Hi-Res audio and both have stereo speakers, other audio quality is expected to be similar |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a similar fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Xperia 1 VI provides superior scratch and drop resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Xperia 1 VI includes additional sensors for broader functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher peak brightness (1300 nits) compared to Xperia 1 VI's missing brightness specification, making it potentially much better for outdoor viewing.
- Slightly Faster Charging: 33W charging is marginally faster than the Xperia 1 VI's 30W.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Enhanced audio playback features over Xperia 1 VI
- Wider GPS Support: Supports more satellite navigation systems for better location accuracy.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, offering much better performance in demanding tasks, gaming and general use.
- Improved Camera System: Larger camera sensors, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses, along with superior video recording features with OIS. Resulting in much better overall image and video quality and versatility.
- Newer Software: Android 14 out-of-the-box, with longer software update support.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and RAM options (up to 512GB/12GB) for handling larger files and multitasking.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for superior screen protection.
- More Versatile Charging: Supports bypass charging, reverse charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Newer Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 for improved performance and stability.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer and Hall, Pedometer
- eSIM Support: Added flexibility for using digital carrier profiles.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3’s potentially brighter screen is the only significant advantage, which is valuable for those who frequently use their phone outdoors. However, even that advantage is rendered less useful by the Sony's superior overall system.
- The Xperia 1 VI is significantly more expensive than the Poco F3 and it may not be worth the extra cost for all users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize performance over a top-tier camera and other advanced features.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors and require a bright display.
- Users who require high quality audio and have high quality headphones.
- Users who don't need the latest and greatest features, or who are happy with a phone that will only be supported for a few more software versions.
- Users who prefer slightly faster charging speeds.
Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and calls.
- Casual gaming.
- Outdoor navigation or media consumption.
Sony Xperia 1 VI Ideal User:
- Users who demand the best performance and a top-tier camera.
- Users who need a wide range of camera capabilities (telephoto, wide-angle, advanced video features).
- Users who value having the latest software and security updates.
- Users who want the most versatile charging options.
- Users who value high quality build.
Use Cases for Xperia 1 VI:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming at high settings.
- Multitasking with demanding apps.
- Users who want the most versatility.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Xperia 1 VI will be significantly more expensive than the older Poco F3.
- What is more important for you - screen brightness or camera quality and overall performance? The Poco F3's sole advantage is a potentially brighter screen, whereas the Xperia 1 VI wins in all other categories by a large margin.
- Do you need advanced camera features, longer software support, and the latest connectivity standards? If so, the Xperia 1 VI is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If budget is a primary concern and you are happy with good performance and a bright screen, the Poco F3 is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Camera Enthusiast: If you need top-tier performance, excellent camera capabilities, and the latest features, the Xperia 1 VI is the obvious choice.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Enthusiast: If a very bright screen is essential, the Poco F3 is a strong consideration, but the Xperia 1 VI's screen may be enough for most users. The overall superiority of the Xperia 1 VI will also be a consideration in most situations.
Final Thoughts
If the price difference isn't a concern, I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 VI. While the Poco F3 offers a potentially brighter display, its advantages largely end there. The Xperia 1 VI provides a substantially better overall experience thanks to its superior performance, vastly superior camera system, and longer software support. The advantages of the Xperia 1 VI extend to the build quality, charging versatility, connectivity and available storage and ram. In short, the Xperia 1 VI is a much more capable and modern phone. Even with an unknown brightness value, it is highly likely that the screen quality on the Sony will still be better for most users. The only advantage of the Poco F3 is that is has a better price to performance, but only if the user is happy to live with compromises in all other areas.
