Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | X4 Pro is slightly thicker (0.3mm) and taller (0.5mm) but negligibly different for handling. |
| Weight | 196g | 205g | Poco F3 is 9g lighter, which may feel less fatiguing during long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size offers the same immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same sharpness and clarity for both. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Identical pixel density, so image sharpness is identical |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vivid colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | Poco F3 is slightly brighter in direct sunlight, making it more readable outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco F3 has a much more powerful processor, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 395,978 | Poco F3 has about twice the performance of Poco X4 Pro, as shown by the benchmark difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 | Poco F3 has a significantly more powerful GPU for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | X4 Pro has a slightly larger battery that may give it slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 67W Fast Charging, Li-Ion Polymer | X4 Pro charges much faster. |
| Battery Features | Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 fast charging protocol | Non-removable | Poco F3 supports more charging standards (QC3,PD 3.0) |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", Samsung S5KHM2, 0.7µm | X4 Pro has higher resolution which could result in more detailed photos, but might not be noticeable due to pixel binning. Poco F3 has wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV16A1Q, 1.0µm | Poco F3 has higher resolution while X4 Pro has bigger pixels and slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | X4 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile shooting. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1, 1.75µm | X4 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 can record higher resolution videos. X4 Pro offers "Ultra stable video". |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, etc. | Ultra stable video, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Poco F3 supports 4K video. X4 Pro has RAW capability for more editing flexibility and has "Night Mode" for low-light shots. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max Ver: 13 | Android 11, Max Ver: ? | Poco F3 has newer Android version (13), while max version of Poco X4 Pro is unknown |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | Poco F3 supports WiFi 6 for faster speeds and better performance on modern routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | X4 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version which might have slightly better power management and connectivity performance. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) etc. | GPS, Galileo (E1) etc. | Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for potentially better accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | Both share the same maximum storage capacity, but X4 Pro has a 64GB option for those with lower storage requirements and budget |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Similar RAM options for both for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both phones offer great audio output, but the X4 Pro has dual microphones for enhanced audio input. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use side-mounted fingerprint readers for convenient and reliable biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Same screen protection for similar scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Both phones offer a comprehensive set of sensors for similar functionality and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly higher CPU and GPU performance, resulting in much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- Brighter Display: 100 nits higher peak brightness provides better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Video Recording: Capable of recording video up to 4K resolution.
- More Satellites for GPS: Provides more accurate location tracking by utilizing more satellite systems (L1+L5, E1+E5a, B2, NavIC).
- Supports Newer WiFi Standard: Has WiFi 6, offering faster speeds and lower latency on compatible networks.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery (5000mAh vs 4520mAh) may offer slightly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the 33W on the F3.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, offering more shooting options.
- More advanced camera features: Includes "Ultra stable video," "RAW," and "Night Mode" which are not available in Poco F3.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 offers slightly improved power management and connectivity.
- 64 GB Storage option: Available in 64 GB storage option, offering cost saving
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 trades slightly shorter battery life and no macro/wide angle lenses for superior performance and faster WiFi.
- The Poco X4 Pro trades significantly lower performance for longer battery life, a more versatile camera, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, video editing, running demanding applications, enjoying higher quality video playback.
- Price-to-Value: Offers exceptional performance for its price range, making it a great value for power users.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G:
- Ideal User: Casual users, photography enthusiasts, and those who prioritize battery life and camera versatility.
- Use Cases: Social media use, photography, all-day use without frequent charging, content consumption, wide-angle and macro photography.
- Price-to-Value: Provides a more balanced feature set, with a good camera, battery life, and faster charging speed while sacrificing performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- How important is raw performance? If you are a gamer or power user who prioritizes speed, then the Poco F3 is the clear winner.
- How important is camera versatility? If you value wide-angle and macro lenses along with improved low light performance, the X4 Pro is the better choice.
- How important is battery life and charging speed? The X4 Pro offers slightly better battery life and significantly faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the Poco F3 for its superior chipset and GPU performance.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: Choose the Poco X4 Pro 5G for its balanced features and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: Choose the Poco X4 Pro 5G for its wide-angle lens, macro lens, RAW capture, and night mode.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: The Poco X4 Pro 5G might be better option as it has 64 GB storage option
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.
While I appreciate the X4 Pro's larger battery and faster charging, the performance difference is too significant to ignore. As someone who frequently uses resource-intensive apps and enjoys gaming on my phone, the Snapdragon 870 is far more suitable for my needs. The superior performance of the F3 would offer a much smoother and more enjoyable experience, making it the better value for my use case.
