Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | F3 is taller and wider, M4 Pro is slightly thicker; F3 may feel larger in hand |
| Weight | 196g | 179.5g | M4 Pro is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | F3 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness |
| Pixel Density | 395 PPI | 409 PPI | Negligible difference in sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | F3 has smoother animations and scrolling |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | F3 provides superior outdoor visibility in sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | F3 offers significantly faster processing and better gaming performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 438,700 | F3 is much faster for demanding tasks and gaming |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 | F3 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and media |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | M4 Pro has slightly higher resolution but that doesn't necessarily mean better picture quality |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | F3 has wider aperture for better low-light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | F3 has a larger sensor for better light capture and image quality |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 16MP | F3 has higher resolution for more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.4" | 1/3.06" | M4 Pro has a slightly larger sensor for better selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP (f/2.2) | M4 Pro offers a wider field of view for group shots or landscapes |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, up to 960fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, up to 60fps slow-mo | F3 has higher resolution video recording with more slow-motion options |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | M4 Pro has a larger battery for potentially longer battery life |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both offer fast charging |
| Charging Tech | Supports QC3+ / PD3.0 | - | F3 has better fast charging protocols |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | Android 11 | F3 has a confirmed upgrade path to newer Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | F3 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for better speed, range, and stability |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 | Both offer similar Bluetooth capabilities |
| GPS | Comprehensive with dual-band | Standard GPS | F3 has better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | Unknown | F3 has more storage options (128GB or 256 GB variants available) |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | Unknown | F3 has more RAM options (6GB or 8GB variants available) |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | M4 Pro has additional microphone for audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both have the same basic fingerprint sensor location |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | F3 has more robust screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly higher processing power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. This advantage is substantial for performance-intensive tasks.
- Better Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits peak brightness provide a smoother visual experience and improved visibility in outdoor conditions.
- Higher Video Quality: The ability to record 4K video and slow-motion at higher frame rates makes the Poco F3 a better option for content creators or those who want higher video quality.
- Better Wi-Fi: The Xiaomi Poco F3 has a newer Wi-Fi version, which means faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks.
- Better build quality: The Xiaomi Poco F3 offers a newer version of Gorilla glass
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery might provide a bit more battery life than the Poco F3, which can be appealing to users who are concerned about battery performance for longer periods of usage without having to recharge.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Inclusion of an 8MP wide-angle lens adds versatility to the camera setup, allowing for more creative shots.
- More Audio features: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has an additional microphone, offering enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, better audio separation, immersion, and improved voice capture.
- Lighter Weight: The M4 Pro is noticeably lighter than the Poco F3
Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Battery: The Poco F3 prioritizes performance at the expense of slightly less battery capacity, while the M4 Pro offers a slightly longer battery life at the expense of lower performance.
- Camera Versatility vs. Raw Quality: The M4 Pro offers more camera versatility with the addition of a wide-angle lens, while the Poco F3 has the potential for better image quality on its main camera.
- Build Quality vs Convenience: The Poco F3 has the advantage of a better build quality while the M4 Pro is lighter making it more comfortable for prolonged use
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: The superior performance of the Snapdragon 870 and the high refresh rate display makes this a good choice for those who play graphically intensive games.
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking, heavy app usage, and resource-intensive tasks will benefit significantly from the F3's powerful processor.
- Media Consumers: The higher refresh rate and brightness, along with a slightly larger display, make it great for watching videos and movies.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users looking for higher video quality and greater slow-motion options will be more satisfied with the F3.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize battery life and need a phone for everyday use, like browsing, social media, and basic photography, may find the M4 Pro suitable.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: The M4 Pro is likely to be more budget-friendly due to it being less performance-oriented, which may appeal to those looking for value.
- Travelers: The wide-angle lens makes it a practical choice for those who take landscape or group photos, and the lighter weight is more convenient for on-the-go use.
- Users who value comfort: Those who prioritize weight and comfort over performance may find the lighter weight of the M4 Pro appealing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- How important is gaming and high-performance multitasking to me? If these are essential, the Poco F3 is the better option.
- Do I need the best possible display and outdoor visibility? The Poco F3's brighter 120Hz display is superior for these use cases.
- Do I prioritize camera versatility or raw image quality? If a wide-angle lens is crucial, the M4 Pro is better, otherwise the F3 likely has better main camera quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming: Choose the Poco F3 for its superior performance and high refresh rate display.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Everyday Use: Choose the M4 Pro for its lower price and adequate performance for everyday tasks.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Poco F3 if you prioritize video quality or the M4 Pro for its wide-angle lens.
- Scenario 4: Balanced Performance and Battery Life: If you value a slightly longer battery life, the M4 Pro could be considered, but the performance compromise should be noted.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
Here's why:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 is a significantly more powerful chipset, and as someone who often multitasks between applications and enjoys playing games, the Poco F3 will handle these tasks much better.
- Better Display: The brighter and smoother 120Hz display will be much better for viewing content on the go, especially under sunlight. The difference in outdoor visibility is especially important to me.
- Better Future Proofing: The F3 supports a newer generation of Wi-Fi and has an upgrade path to a newer Android version, making it more future proof than the M4 Pro.
While I do appreciate the slightly better battery life and the inclusion of a wide-angle lens on the M4 Pro, the significantly higher processing performance, the better display, and newer technology of the F3 make it the better phone for my needs. I am willing to sacrifice some battery capacity for an overall superior experience.
