Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 5G is slightly taller and thicker; Poco F3 is more compact. |
| Weight | 196g | 199g | Virtually identical weight; negligible difference. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 5G offers a marginally larger viewing area, suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Very similar sharpness; minimal difference noticeable in daily usage. |
| PPI | 395 | 396 | Identical pixel density; both offer crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco F3 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and better color accuracy, particularly in dark scenes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco F3 provides smoother scrolling and animations, better responsiveness for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Poco F3 offers significantly better outdoor visibility and readability in bright sunlight; Redmi 12 5G has missing data here which is a concern. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F3 has a significantly more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 456,552 | Poco F3 demonstrates much higher performance, suitable for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 613 | Poco F3 handles graphically intensive tasks and games much more smoothly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Redmi 12 5G offers slightly higher resolution, but actual image quality is affected by many factors. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco F3's wider aperture allows more light, potentially better in low-light conditions. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | Sony IMX582 Exmor RS | Unknown | Poco F3 uses a known sensor, but there is no data for Redmi 12 5G. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm pixel size | Unknown pixel size | Poco F3 has larger pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 5MP | Poco F3 has a significantly higher resolution front-facing camera, leading to sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.2 | Redmi 12 5G has a wider aperture, potentially better in low-light conditions, though the resolution is lower. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor | Samsung S5K3T2 | Unknown | Poco F3 has a known sensor, but there is no data for Redmi 12 5G. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm pixel size | Unknown pixel size | Poco F3 has a larger pixel size which may result in more light for selfies. |
| Portrait Camera (Depth) | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | Redmi 12 5G offers a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode effects. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 supports higher quality video recording. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | Yes | Poco F3's video stabilization is unspecified and can potentially be worse than Redmi 12 5G which is rated "Yes". |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | No Data | 63 | Only Redmi 12 5G has a DxOMark score, providing benchmark for camera performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi 12 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Poco F3 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | None | Poco F3 supports faster charging protocols. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi 12 5G has a newer OS out of the box and will receive a newer software upgrade. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Poco F3 has a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering potentially faster speeds and better performance on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | Poco F3 has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth with additional codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco F3 has a much wider range of GPS systems which can result in a more accurate GPS experience. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | Both phones offer similar internal storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB or 8 GB | Both offer the same max RAM and thus the same potential for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has an option for memory expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | Poco F3 offers superior audio playback, more immersive experience for music and movies. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar biometric security options. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 has better screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F3 has a more comprehensive set of sensors, including Gyroscope, suitable for gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers a much faster and smoother experience for apps, multitasking, and gaming, and a much higher AnTuTu Benchmark.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a better visual experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, smoother motion, and better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher Brightness With a brightness rated of 1300 nits vs an unknown on the Redmi 12 5G, the Poco F3 will be much easier to use in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is significantly quicker than the 18W charging on the Redmi 12 5G.
- Better Front-Facing Camera: The 20MP selfie camera offers much higher resolution and better image quality for selfies.
- Better Audio Experience: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers offer a better audio experience for music and movies.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standard: The Poco F3 supports Wi-Fi 6, which can provide faster wireless internet speeds and better performance on modern networks.
- Better GPS Support The Poco F3 has a much wider range of GPS systems which can result in a more accurate GPS experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides better resistance to scratches and minor impacts.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: The inclusion of a Gyroscope enhances the overall user experience, particularly for gaming and some AR applications.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Advantages:
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box (and eligible for Android 14), offering the latest software features and potentially longer software support.
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery could potentially provide slightly longer battery life, although real-world usage will vary.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor which may enhance portrait photos.
- Improved Video Stabilization: Rated "Yes" for stabilization which may offer better video than the unspecified Poco F3.
- More RAM Options: Comes in 4GB, 6GB and 8GB versions which may be useful for some users.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 sacrifices a bit of battery capacity for significantly better performance and faster charging and better display, while the Redmi 12 5G prioritizes battery life and slightly newer software.
- The Redmi 12 5G's camera, while having a higher resolution for the standard camera, has lower resolution on the front-facing camera, and has missing specifications which may imply inferior performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, multimedia enthusiasts, and those who prioritize performance, display quality, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
- Smooth multitasking with multiple apps.
- Enjoying videos and movies on a vibrant, high-quality screen.
- Taking high-resolution selfies and making video calls.
- Listening to audio with high quality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance for the price, especially for those who value speed and a great visual experience.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, a slightly newer operating system, and basic smartphone functionalities at an affordable price point, and some portrait photography.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users who value battery life to last through the day.
- Casual users who don't need cutting-edge performance or features.
- Price-to-Value: More budget-friendly option, providing a larger screen and newer OS while sacrificing performance and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Requirements: Do you need a high-performance device for gaming and demanding tasks, or is basic performance sufficient?
- Display Quality: How important are vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth animations in your daily usage?
- Budget: Is price a major factor, or are you willing to spend more for a better experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Performance Users: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its significantly faster processor, better display, and faster charging.
- For Budget-Conscious Users: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you prioritize battery life and a more current OS and don't need high-end performance or a top-tier display and need a lower price.
- For Multimedia Consumption: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior AMOLED display, better audio quality and faster performance.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. Although it's an older phone, the superior performance, significantly better display quality (AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness), and faster charging outweigh the benefits of the Redmi 12 5G's slightly larger battery and newer software. I value smooth performance, a high-quality viewing experience, and the convenience of fast charging more than the marginal improvements in battery life and a newer OS offered by the Redmi 12 5G. The Poco F3 is the stronger phone in the most important areas, particularly performance and display. The Redmi 12 5G has missing data for screen brightness and various camera sensors, which may imply inferior quality. The Poco F3 is the clear winner for me.
