1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.1 × 76.9 × 8.8 mm | Xiaomi 11T is slightly thicker and has a larger overall volume, making it feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 203g | Poco F3 is slightly lighter, which can make a difference during extended one-handed use or carrying. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both have the same screen size, providing an identical viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity of images and text. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Same pixel density resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both phones. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | The Poco F3 offers better screen visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to view in outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 generally provides a slight edge in gaming and demanding apps due to its superior architecture, as seen in higher AnTuTu scores. The Mediatek Dimensity 1200 is still capable but generally behind the performance of the Snapdragon 870. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 712,100 | The Poco F3 has a higher benchmark score, indicating better overall performance, especially in demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Adreno 650 is known for its slightly superior performance in gaming compared to the Mali-G77 MC9. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.52" sensor | The Xiaomi 11T has a higher resolution main sensor and a larger sensor size that is beneficial for detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" sensor | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" sensor | The Poco F3 offers a slightly higher resolution for selfies, while the 11T uses a slightly larger sensor, potentially capturing slightly better low-light photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor | The Xiaomi 11T has a dedicated wide angle lens, while the Poco F3 does not. This provides more creative flexibility and capability with more options for different shooting conditions. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" sensor | The Xiaomi 11T has a dedicated macro lens, while the Poco F3 does not. This is helpful for taking detailed shots of small subjects. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, up to 960fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps, up to 960fps slow-mo | Both phones offer similar high-quality video recording and slow-motion features. |
| DXOMark Selfie | N/A | Main score: 115, Photo: 110, Video: 124 | The 11T has a solid DxOMark score for selfies, while the Poco F3 does not, this demonstrates that the 11T has a better front-facing camera in tests. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Xiaomi 11T has extra features like "Ultra stable video", "RAW" and "Night Mode" which expands photographic capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi 11T has a larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 67W fast charging | The Xiaomi 11T offers significantly faster charging, allowing it to get back to full capacity faster. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, Supports QC3+ / PD3.0 | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries, the Poco F3 supports QC3+ and PD3.0 fast charging protocols. |
Software
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Both can be upgraded to Android 13. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable internet connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The 11T has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| 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, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Xiaomi 11T supports more satellite systems for potentially better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality for managing two phone numbers. |
Storage
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer identical internal storage options, but no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB | The Xiaomi 11T offers more RAM for multitasking with the base models all having 8 GB. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Poco F3 has Hi-Res audio which is great for audiophiles, while the 11T has 2 microphones for recording clearer audio in video and calls. |
Security
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Xiaomi 11T provides better protection against scratches and drops with Gorilla Glass Victus. |
Sensors
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi 11T | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The 11T includes more environmental sensors for more advanced functionality and data collection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Slightly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU gives the Poco F3 an edge in demanding tasks and gaming. The device benchmarks higher in AnTuTu.
- Higher Brightness Display: The 1300 nits brightness allows for better outdoor visibility in sunny conditions.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio experience for music enthusiasts, it also has better separation and immersion than the 11T.
- Lighter Design: Weighing 7g less, it can be more comfortable for prolonged use.
Xiaomi 11T Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, plus dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses offer more versatility.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh provides potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved scratch and drop resistance.
- More Sensors: Includes a barometer for environmental data.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 offers better wireless capability.
- More Camera Features: Ultra stable video, RAW, and Night Mode are present.
- Higher RAM: 8 GB RAM is the standard.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 offers better performance and brightness, but at the expense of camera versatility, battery life and charging speeds.
- The Xiaomi 11T boasts superior camera capabilities, battery and charging but at the expense of slight performance and screen brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Gamers: The better performance and GPU are advantageous for gaming.
- Outdoor Users: The higher screen brightness is better for sunny conditions.
- Audiophiles: Hi-Res Audio is ideal for superior audio experience.
- Users Preferring Lighter Devices: Its lighter weight makes it more comfortable for extended use and carrying.
Use Cases:
- Competitive gaming with demanding graphics.
- Outdoor photography and videography in bright sunlight.
- Listening to high-quality audio on the go.
Xiaomi 11T Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system with wide-angle and macro lenses and better low-light performance.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery and faster charging are key for extended usage.
- Users Who Need a Durable Screen: The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better protection.
- Multimedia Consumers: The larger battery and vibrant screen are excellent for media consumption.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in diverse scenarios.
- Extended daily usage without frequent charging.
- Watching movies and videos with good battery performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize gaming performance or camera capabilities?
- Is screen brightness or battery life more important for your usage?
- How important is a versatile camera setup with wide angle and macro lenses?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For gaming: Choose the Poco F3 for its higher gaming performance.
- For mobile photography: Choose the Xiaomi 11T for its better camera system and versatility.
- For long battery life and quick charging: Choose the Xiaomi 11T for its larger battery and faster charging.
- For general daily use, with balanced specs and more camera options: Choose the Xiaomi 11T.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would lean towards the Xiaomi 11T. While the Poco F3 offers a performance edge, the Xiaomi 11T presents a more well-rounded package. Its superior camera capabilities, particularly the inclusion of wide-angle and macro lenses, along with significantly faster charging and better screen protection, align better with my overall usage. Although I do value a device that is good for gaming and offers superior brightness, the 11T is a better overall daily driver that has significant benefits that outweigh the small performance gap for day to day use. The inclusion of "Ultra stable video", "RAW", and "Night Mode" are important to me when taking videos and photos.
