Xiaomi Poco F3 vs Xiaomi Redmi 12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 27, 2021 June 15, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 97.55 cm³ 105.49 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.4 "/g 3.42 "/g
Weight 196 g 198.5 g
Height 163.7 mm 168.6 mm
Width 76.4 mm 76.3 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.2 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Arctic White
  • Night Black
  • Deep Ocean Blue
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Midnight Black
  • Polar Silver
  • Sky Blue
  • Moonstone Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.79 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2460
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.9 % 85.1 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1300 nits 550 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 101.60 mAh/in² 108.45 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.33 mAh/cm³ 47.4 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4520 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 650 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 N/A
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 13 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureXiaomi Poco F3Xiaomi Redmi 12Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mmRedmi 12 is slightly taller and thicker, may feel less compact in hand.
Weight196g198.5gVirtually identical weight, minimal practical difference.
Display
Size6.67"6.79"Redmi 12 has slightly more screen real estate, offering a more immersive experience, though marginal.
Resolution1080x24001080x2460Both provide similar sharpness, very minor difference.
PPI395396Practically identical sharpness, not noticeable.
TechnologyAMOLEDIPS LCDPoco F3 offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, especially noticeable in dark mode and media consumption.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzPoco F3's 120Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially beneficial for gamers and those sensitive to screen fluidity.
Brightness1300 nits0 nitsPoco F3 is significantly brighter, providing superior outdoor visibility in sunlight. (Redmi 12 brightness is missing in the provided specs)
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm)Poco F3 offers vastly superior processing power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score800,216249,400Poco F3 is more than 3 times more performant, making it a more future-proof option, especially for demanding apps and games.
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G52 MC2Poco F3’s GPU offers better graphics processing, leading to superior gaming performance and overall graphical rendering.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution48MP50MPRedmi 12 has a slightly higher megapixel count but sensor size impacts overall image quality.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.79f/1.8Poco F3's wider aperture allows slightly more light, potentially better low-light performance.
Main Camera Sensor Size1/2"1/2.76"Poco F3’s larger sensor size captures more light, potentially leading to better image quality and less noise, especially in low light.
Selfie Camera Resolution20MP8MPPoco F3 offers significantly higher resolution for sharper and more detailed selfies.
Selfie Camera Aperturef/2.45f/2.1Redmi 12 has a wider aperture for brighter selfies in low light.
Wide Angle LensNo8MPRedmi 12 offers a wide-angle perspective for landscape photography and creative shots.
Macro LensNo2MPRedmi 12 allows for close-up shots, but quality may be limited.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@30fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsPoco F3 offers higher resolution video recording, suitable for higher quality videos.
Slow Motion960fps120fpsPoco F3 offers higher slow-motion capture for more dramatic effects.
Camera FeaturesManual focus, PanoramaRAWPoco F3 offers manual focus for fine-tuning; Redmi 12 has RAW capability for photo editing.
Battery
Capacity4520mAh5000mAhRedmi 12 offers a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life.
Charging33W Fast Charging18W Fast ChargingPoco F3 charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime.
FeaturesQC3+/PD3.0Reverse ChargingPoco F3 has quicker charging; Redmi 12 can charge other devices.
Software & Connectivity
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 13)Android 13 (upgradable to 14)Redmi 12 offers a newer operating system out of the box, offering the latest features and security updates.
WiFiWiFi 6WiFi 5Poco F3 supports the newer WiFi 6 standard, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Bluetooth5.15.3Redmi 12 has a slightly newer Bluetooth standard, potentially for more efficient connectivity.
GPSEnhanced GPS systemsBasic GPS systemsPoco F3 has enhanced GPS for better location accuracy, especially in urban areas.
Other
Storage128/256 GB128/256 GBBoth devices offer similar storage options, but cannot be expanded.
RAM6/8 GB4/6/8 GBBoth provide similar RAM options for multitasking, with slight variations in available configurations.
AudioDolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo SpeakersBasic AudioPoco F3 offers significantly better audio experience through spatial audio and hi-res playback.
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownPoco F3 has Gorilla Glass 5, offering better scratch and impact resistance.
SensorsFull suiteFull suiteBoth have a comprehensive suite of sensors.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance than the Helio G88, making it faster and smoother for all tasks, especially gaming and demanding apps.
  • Better Display: The AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate provides superior color quality, contrast, and smoother animations compared to the Redmi 12's IPS LCD screen.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging charges the phone much quicker, reducing downtime.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers offer a significantly enhanced audio experience.
  • Better Main Camera (Sensor & Aperture): Larger sensor and wider aperture allows for better image quality and low light performance.
  • Enhanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and more GPS systems for better connectivity and accuracy.
  • Superior Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better durability.

Practical Implications:

  • Poco F3 is ideal for users who demand high performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
  • The superior display of Poco F3 makes it better for media consumption and general use.
  • Faster charging means less time tethered to an outlet.
  • The enhanced audio is great for media consumption, gaming, etc.
  • Enhanced connectivity offers more reliable connections.

Xiaomi Redmi 12 Advantages:

  • Newer Software: Ships with Android 13, offering newer features and security updates out of the box.
  • Slightly Larger Battery: Potentially slightly longer battery life due to a larger battery.
  • Wider Angle Lens: Offers more versatile photography options with an added wide-angle lens.
  • Macro Lens: Offers some close-up shot capabilities.
  • Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
  • Wider Selfie Aperture: The wider f/2.1 aperture can capture brighter photos in lower light.
  • RAW photo option: Gives more flexibility when editing photos.

Practical Implications:

  • Redmi 12 is suitable for users who prioritize the latest software features and potentially longer battery life.
  • The wide-angle and macro lens provide more camera versatility.
  • Reverse charging can be useful in a pinch.
  • Wider selfie aperture is great for taking selfies in low light conditions.
  • RAW capabilities are great for users that edit photos.

Trade-offs:

  • Poco F3: Sacrifices the wide-angle camera lens, macro lens, reverse charging, and newer OS for significantly better performance and display quality.
  • Redmi 12: Sacrifices significant performance, display quality, charging speed and audio quality for a slightly larger battery, newer OS, and more versatile camera lenses.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Poco F3:

  • Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance and display quality above all else.
  • Use Cases:
    • Playing graphically demanding games.
    • Multitasking between resource-intensive apps.
    • Watching high-quality videos and enjoying media.
    • Users who need high brightness for outdoor visibility.
    • Users who want high-fidelity audio for media and gaming.

Xiaomi Redmi 12:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers who want a reliable, versatile phone with the latest software features, with acceptable performance.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and messaging.
    • Casual photography with its versatile wide angle and macro lens.
    • Users who want to have the latest version of Android.
    • Users who need slightly longer battery life.
    • Users who want to be able to charge other devices using their phone.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • Poco F3: Offers a premium experience for a mid-range price, making it an excellent value for performance-focused users.
  • Redmi 12: Offers good value for users who prioritize affordability and the newest software.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. How important is performance and display quality for you? (Gaming, multitasking, media consumption).
  2. Do you prioritize the latest software, versatile photography, and slightly longer battery life or faster charging, superior performance, and display quality?
  3. What is your budget, and are you willing to trade some features for significantly better performance and display?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Gaming & Performance: If you play a lot of games or use demanding apps, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice due to its significantly superior chipset and GPU.

  • Scenario 2: Media Consumption: If you watch videos and consume media often, the Xiaomi Poco F3's AMOLED display, higher refresh rate, and enhanced audio will provide a much better viewing experience.

  • Scenario 3: Budget & Basic Usage: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks and want the latest Android features on a budget, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is a more affordable option.

  • Scenario 4: Photography Versatility: If having a wide-angle and macro lens is important to you, then the Xiaomi Redmi 12 offers that extra versatility, though at the cost of camera sensor size and quality.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3.

Here's why:

  • Performance is my priority: I would prioritize the faster Snapdragon 870 chipset over the Helio G88. The performance difference between the two is significant, especially for demanding tasks. I find that a faster experience drastically improves my overall usage.
  • Display Quality: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate on the Poco F3 is a must-have for me. I would rather use the superior quality and vibrancy of the AMOLED screen than use an IPS screen.
  • Faster Charging: I value the faster charging of the Poco F3, as it significantly reduces the time spent tethered to an outlet.
  • Enhanced Audio: The Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers on the Poco F3 are features that I find important for my multimedia consumption, making it a much more enjoyable experience.
  • Compromises are acceptable: I'm willing to sacrifice the wide angle and macro lens on the Redmi 12 for these key features on the Poco F3. I also don't need the reverse charging, and consider the new OS a minor benefit compared to the performance that I would gain on the Poco F3.
  • Long-Term Value: The Poco F3, despite being slightly older, is a more future-proof option due to its superior performance. It should handle demanding apps and games for a longer period.

While the Redmi 12 offers a slightly larger battery, slightly more camera versatility, and newer OS, it falls significantly short on the performance and display quality aspects that I value the most. The Poco F3 provides a premium experience in those areas, making it the more compelling choice for my needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.