1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Virtually identical size; negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Both are similarly weighted; won't feel significantly different in the pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Both offer the same screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness, expect a consistent visual experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Both have same pixel density; images will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both; excellent for media viewing. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both, enhancing overall responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both have good outdoor visibility, equally bright displays. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Identical performance for everyday tasks, gaming; both offer very good performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 861,200 | Poco F4 is marginally faster; barely noticeable in real-world usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 | Identical graphics processing; very similar gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520 mAh | 4500 mAh | Similar battery life; expect similar usage on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Poco F4 charges much faster; less downtime waiting for the battery to fill up. |
| Charging Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion Polymer | Minimal to no practical difference. |
| Charging features | Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 fast charging protocol | Non-removable | Poco F3 may offer wider compatibility with older chargers |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | Poco F4 captures more detailed images; better for cropping and prints |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2", Sony IMX596 | Poco F4 has slightly wider aperture and much larger sensor for better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | Poco F4 offers more versatile photography, able to capture wider scenes |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1 | Poco F4 allows for close-up shots; added photography option |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p @ up to 960fps | Up to 4K@60fps, 1080p @ up to 60fps | Both capture good video; Poco F4 offers 4k60 recording and more stable footage. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | OIS, Ultra Stable Video | Poco F4 produces more stable videos with optical stabilization and EIS |
| 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, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Poco F4 has advanced options for better image quality and versatility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Poco F4 has a newer base OS with a slightly longer support window. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer similar Wi-Fi speeds and performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC) | 5.2 (A2DP, LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC) | Poco F4 has a newer Bluetooth version; potentially more stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F4 has more accurate location tracking and is better for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Identical SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB or 12 GB | Poco F4 offers more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco F4 offers better recording quality with an additional microphone and slightly better playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Both have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both offer identical sensors for similar user experience |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Slightly larger battery capacity (4520 mAh vs 4500 mAh) - Negligible difference in practical battery life
- Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 fast charging protocol, possibly supporting a wider range of chargers.
- Supports Bluetooth APT-x
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Faster 67W charging (vs. 33W) - Significantly faster charging times.
- Higher resolution main camera (64MP vs 48MP) - More detailed photos, better for cropping.
- Wider aperture and larger sensor on front camera - Improved low-light selfies.
- Dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses - More versatile photography.
- Optical image stabilization (OIS) for the main camera and Ultra Stable Video - Smoother video recording.
- 4K video recording at 60 fps (vs. 30 fps) - More flexibility with video recording.
- Newer Bluetooth 5.2 - Potentially more stable Bluetooth connections and slightly better power efficiency.
- More satellite navigation systems - Better accuracy in GPS tracking.
- Additional 12GB RAM configuration - Better multitasking performance for heavy users.
- Newer base operating system: Android 12.
- 2 Microphones: better voice recording quality.
- Additional camera features such as, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW, Night Mode
Practical Implications:
- The Poco F4's faster charging is a significant advantage for those who are often in a hurry.
- The camera improvements on the Poco F4 make it more versatile and better for photography enthusiasts.
- The additional RAM configuration on the Poco F4 makes it better suited to heavier users or those who multitask extensively.
- The additional video features and OIS on the Poco F4 greatly improve video recording quality.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 has a very slight edge in battery capacity, but the difference is negligible when compared to the charging speed of the Poco F4.
- Poco F3 supports APT-x, but this feature is not available on Poco F4.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users looking for strong performance.
- Users who prioritize battery life (although the difference is negligible) and do not mind a slower charging.
- Users who require compatibility with older fast chargers ( QC3 + / PD3.0).
Use Cases:
- Everyday usage, social media, browsing.
- Casual gaming.
- Users who want a powerful phone without spending too much money.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Ideal Users:
- Photography and videography enthusiasts who need a versatile camera system.
- Heavy users and multitaskers who need more RAM.
- Users who need fast charging.
- Users who want slightly better audio recording and playback.
- Users who require more stable video recording.
Use Cases:
- Photography and videography, content creation.
- High-performance gaming.
- Multitasking and running demanding apps.
- Users who frequently travel and need fast charging to save time.
Price-to-Value:
- Both phones offer great value for their price, but the Poco F4 offers more advanced features for a slightly higher price (when compared to the F3, if bought new).
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is fast charging to you? If fast charging is crucial, the Poco F4 is better.
- What is your primary use for the camera? If photography and videography are a priority, the Poco F4 has a better and more versatile camera system.
- How important is multitasking performance? If you need extensive multitasking capabilities, the Poco F4's optional 12GB RAM configuration may be worth the extra cost.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you are a casual user on a tight budget, the Poco F3 still provides excellent performance and a comparable display experience.
- Scenario 2: If you want the best all-around experience with better camera, faster charging, better GPS tracking, the Poco F4 is recommended.
- Scenario 3: If you are a heavy gamer or content creator, the Poco F4 is better suited with the additional camera features and optional 12GB of RAM for optimal performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4. While both phones share the same core processor, the Poco F4 offers several significant upgrades that impact the user experience, such as the much faster 67W charging, a more versatile and better performing camera system, additional RAM option for better multitasking and performance, and better video recording.
The primary reasons for my choice are:
- Faster Charging: The jump to 67W charging is a game-changer for me. The reduced charging time means less waiting around and more time using the phone.
- Improved Camera System: I value a versatile camera system for capturing various moments, and the inclusion of a wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and the improved main and selfie camera sensors on the Poco F4 offer more creative options. The addition of OIS also greatly improves video quality.
- Future-Proofing: With a newer base OS, slightly better Bluetooth and enhanced GPS, and the availability of a 12GB RAM option, the Poco F4 offers a better experience for power users, and feels like it offers more longevity.
- Enhanced Video and Audio: As someone who records video occasionally, the ability to capture at 4k60 and the addition of OIS are a welcome improvement. The dual microphones also enhance audio recording quality.
While the Poco F3 is a capable phone for those with a tighter budget, the advancements made with the Poco F4 make it a more attractive option for me, especially for the slight increase in price (when bought new). The camera improvements alone are worth the upgrade for my personal use case.
