1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Physical Size | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 162.5 × 76.7 × 8.5 mm | F4 GT is slightly shorter and thicker, potentially feeling more substantial in hand. F3 is slightly taller and thinner. |
| Weight | 196g | 210g | F3 is lighter, likely more comfortable for extended use, while F4 GT feels heavier and more durable |
| Build Materials | Not specified | Not specified | Missing data. Cannot determine material quality differences. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size; no difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness on both displays. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, leading to similar display clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | F3 has significantly brighter display, performs better under direct sunlight. F4 GT brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | F4 GT's newer chip offers significantly faster processing and better energy efficiency, resulting in faster apps and gaming |
| Antutu Score | 800,216 | 1,178,365 | F4 GT's higher score implies much faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | F4 GT's GPU is more powerful, meaning better graphics rendering, particularly in demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor | 64MP, f/1.73, 1/1.7" sensor | F4 GT captures more detail and performs better in low-light due to larger sensor and higher resolution. Slightly better aperture as well |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" sensor | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2" sensor | F4 GT selfie camera is better in low-light scenarios due to a larger sensor size and slightly better aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor | F4 GT offers more versatile photography with wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | F4 GT can take close-up shots. Quality is limited due to the low resolution. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p up to 960fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, 1080p up to 960fps | F4 GT has better video capabilities, offering 4k60 and HDR support. Both have a wide range of slow-motion capabilities |
| Camera Features | Standard features, basic stabilization | Additional features: Gimbal, Laser AF, Night Mode | F4 GT offers more advanced camera features, leading to improved stability and better low-light photos. |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 4700mAh | Both have comparable battery life. Real usage varies based on usage patterns. Slightly larger on the F4 GT |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 120W fast charging | F4 GT charges significantly faster, drastically reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Not a significant impact on general user experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility and use under bright sunlight.
- Lighter: The lighter weight (196g vs 210g) might feel more comfortable for extended periods of use.
- More GPS Features: Supports GPS, Galileo, NavIC System and Beidou (B1).
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and Adreno 730 GPU, leading to much better gaming and overall responsiveness.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging enables much faster charging speeds.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main camera with larger sensor, improved selfie camera, additional wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Enhanced Audio: 3 Microphones for improved audio capture.
- Better Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for more durable display protection.
- More RAM: 12 GB configuration for demanding use cases.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 12.
Trade-offs:
- F4 GT: Slightly heavier and thicker than the F3, making it slightly less comfortable for some. Its brightness is not defined, which makes it hard to evaluate.
- F3: Has a much less powerful chipset and charging speed. Lacks the additional wide-angle and macro lens capabilities of the F4 GT.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who want a bright and smooth display and are not heavy gamers
- Users that prioritize portability and comfort over peak performance.
- Users that prefer slightly better GPS performance.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use: browsing, social media, video streaming, photography.
- Users who prioritize brightness when using their phone in outdoor settings
- Users who need a reliable and capable all-round smartphone without pushing the limits of mobile gaming.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT:
- Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers and power users who demand high performance and fast charging
- Users who want a more versatile camera setup
- Users who prioritize the latest technology
- Use Cases:
- Gaming at high settings and framerates, multitasking between demanding applications
- Mobile content creation, videography, and photography
- Users who desire a premium phone experience, where speed and responsiveness are crucial.
- Users who want the best possible experience while recording video.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming performance and overall speed? If you're a serious gamer, the F4 GT is the clear winner.
- How important is the display brightness for outdoor usage? The F3 has a much brighter display
- How much do you value fast charging and advanced camera features? The F4 GT offers much faster charging, additional camera lens and extra features
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you prioritize everyday tasks, and do not game on your phone, the Poco F3 offers a good experience.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: The Poco F4 GT is the clear choice with its superior chipset, GPU, and RAM.
- Scenario 3: Camera Focused User: The Poco F4 GT is the superior choice here, due to it's enhanced camera features, a larger main sensor, and wide-angle and macro lenses
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT.
While the Poco F3 has a brighter display and lighter build, the advantages of the F4 GT are far more compelling for my needs. The significant performance boost from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, combined with the faster charging, enhanced cameras, and more advanced software make it a better all-around device.
I prioritize performance and camera versatility, and the F4 GT delivers a superior user experience in these areas. The slightly heavier build and unknown brightness are acceptable trade-offs, for a device with better gaming capabilities and all the features I would need in a daily phone.
