1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco F3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, focusing on real-world implications:
Design
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | Poco F3 is slightly larger and thinner; Redmi Note 10S is more compact, potentially easier to handle one-handed. |
Weight | 196g | 178.8g | Redmi Note 10S is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
Display
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer good visual clarity. |
PPI | 395 | 409 | Virtually indistinguishable in terms of sharpness. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast. |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Poco F3 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially for gamers. |
Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | Poco F3 is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Poco F3 has a much more powerful processor; faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance. |
AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 409,874 | Poco F3 offers almost double the performance, making it much more capable for demanding tasks. |
GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Poco F3's GPU provides superior graphics performance, essential for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Standard Camera | 48MP (f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582) | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B) | Redmi Note 10S captures more detailed photos in good lighting due to higher megapixel count. |
Selfie Camera | 20MP (f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2) | 13MP (f/2.45, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10) | Poco F3 has a higher resolution front camera, leading to better detail in selfies; Redmi Note 10S has larger sensor and bigger pixel size which leads to better low light results. |
Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355) | Redmi Note 10S offers more versatility with an ultrawide camera. |
Portrait (depth) | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", GalaxyCore GC02M1) | Redmi Note 10S can capture depth data for portrait mode, adding background blur. |
Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B10) | Redmi Note 10S offers close-up shots. |
Video | Up to 4K@30fps (with EIS) | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer 4K video, stabilization and slow-motion but Poco F3 offers EIS on every resolution. |
Camera Features | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection | Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Night Mode | Poco F3 offers manual controls and panorama, while the Redmi Note 10S has a night mode and offers an extra lens. |
Battery
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 10S has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
Charging | 33W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Both support fast charging, allowing for quick power-ups. |
Features | QC3+/PD3.0 Support | Reverse Charging | Poco F3 provides faster charging protocol support, Redmi Note 10S can act as a power bank for other devices. |
Software
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
OS | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | Both phones offer similar software experience with the latest Android version. |
Connectivity
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Poco F3 has Wi-Fi 6 offering faster, more stable connections on compatible networks. |
Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Poco F3 has newer Bluetooth version, supporting higher quality audio codecs. |
GPS | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco F3 supports more satellite systems for more accurate positioning. |
SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both allow for two active SIM cards. |
Storage
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | Poco F3 offers more storage for users who store a lot of media. |
RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both are sufficient for multitasking and gaming, depending on your usage. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage. |
Audio
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Hi-Res, Stereo | Poco F3 provides enhanced audio quality with Dolby Atmos, better for immersive media experience. |
Security
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both offer similar biometric security with a fingerprint sensor on the side. |
Build Quality
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 has better protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Practical Impact |
Sensors | Comprehensive sensor suite | Comprehensive sensor suite | Both offer similar capabilities for gaming and other features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the main advantages of each phone:
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in a much smoother and faster experience for all tasks, especially gaming and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations significantly smoother, enhancing overall user experience.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness ensures better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 provides faster and more stable wireless connections.
- Better Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX, LDAC provides better audio quality and connection stability with supported devices.
- Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for increased durability.
- More storage options: Up to 256 GB storage.
- More precise GPS: With L1+L5 band support.
- EIS on every resolution Electronic Image Stabilization on every resolution while recording video.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Versatile Camera System: Wide angle, depth, and macro lenses offer more photographic options.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Larger pixel size on selfie camera: Better low-light performance.
- Night mode: Captures better photos during night time.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices a more versatile camera system, potential battery life, and more compact design for significantly better performance and display experience.
- Redmi Note 10S: Compromises on performance and display smoothness but gains a more versatile camera, lighter design and reverse charging capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 is Ideal For:
- Gamers: Demanding games run smoother and look better.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and need a fast, responsive device.
- Media Consumers: Users who appreciate a smooth, bright display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Performance Enthusiasts: Those who want the best performance possible for the price and prioritize speed over everything else.
- Users who want high-quality audio: Dolby Atmos support improves audio quality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is Ideal For:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize battery life and a comfortable, compact design.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera versatility with multiple lenses.
- Users on a Budget: Those who want a solid, well-rounded phone without breaking the bank.
- Users who want a phone that can act as a power bank: Reverse charging capabilities.
- Users who appreciate good low-light photography: Bigger pixels in the front camera, and the night mode on the rear camera help take better photos during night time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for me? If you play demanding games or multitask frequently, the Poco F3 is the clear choice. If you're a casual user, the Redmi Note 10S might be sufficient.
- Do I need a versatile camera system? If you want ultrawide, macro, and portrait modes, the Redmi Note 10S is a better option. If you prioritize speed and front camera quality then Poco F3 might be a better option.
- How important is a smooth display, brightness, and audio quality? If you value a smooth user interface, better outdoor visibility and more immersive sound, the Poco F3 is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer: If gaming is your main priority, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the obvious choice due to its significantly superior processor, GPU and 120Hz refresh rate display.
- Scenario 2: Casual User, Average Photography: If you use your phone for everyday tasks, a little bit of social media, occasional photography, and want a lighter phone, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S might be the best option.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photographer: If you need a versatile camera system with ultra-wide, portrait and macro lenses, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S is recommended.
- Scenario 4: Media Enthusiast: If you prioritize a smooth, bright and immersive display with quality audio, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the winner.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the Redmi Note 10S offers a more versatile camera system and potentially slightly better battery life, the sheer performance difference with the Snapdragon 870, coupled with the 120Hz display and better audio experience, makes it a much more compelling option for my use cases. I'm someone who values a smooth, responsive experience and often uses my phone for a mix of tasks including gaming and media consumption, which is where the Poco F3 shines. Also, the superior screen protection and Wi-Fi speed are added benefits.