1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco F3 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G, focusing on practical implications for the user.
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | The Redmi Note 11S 5G is slightly thicker and has a slightly larger overall volume. The Poco F3 is a bit slimmer for better handling |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Both phones are virtually identical in weight; negligible difference |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.6" | Minimal size difference; both offer an immersive viewing experience, but the Poco F3's slightly larger screen may be preferred for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both screens offer crisp details. |
| PPI | 395 | 399 | Virtually the same; no perceptible difference in clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, better outdoor visibility, and more vibrant colors. This will result in a better viewing experience, especially in varied lighting conditions. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The Poco F3's 120Hz refresh rate will make scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid, especially in fast-paced games and apps |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The Poco F3 has dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight because of significantly higher brightness levels. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F3 provides significantly more raw processing power, making it much better for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 438,700 | Poco F3 has significantly higher performance. Expect faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Adreno 650 is substantially more powerful than the Mali-G57 MC2; the Poco F3 will offer a superior gaming experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer battery life, but the difference is not massive |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones support similar fast charging speeds; expect similar recharge times. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Non-removable | Poco F3 has a slightly better fast-charging protocol that might slightly improve charging speed. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a slightly higher resolution on paper. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco F3 has a wider aperture allowing more light to reach the sensor, improving low light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Poco F3 has a bigger sensor, which means it'll have better light capture |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.64 µm | Poco F3 has bigger pixels, which is better for low light capture. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 20MP | 13MP | The Poco F3 captures more detailed selfies due to higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.45 | f/2.4 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a slightly wider aperture, but this difference is minor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a wide angle camera for capturing more in one shot, which the Poco F3 lacks |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a macro lens for extreme close-ups; the Poco F3 does not. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, high frame rate options | 1080p@30/60fps | The Poco F3 offers 4K recording and higher frame rates for more versatile video capture. |
| DxOMark Score | Not available | Mobile: 65 | Redmi Note 11S 5G has a DxOMark Mobile score of 65 which indicates decent but not exceptional camera quality. |
| Camera Features | 4K, EIS, comprehensive | 4K, EIS, Ultra Stable Video, Night Mode | Redmi Note 11S 5G offers specific features like Ultra Stable Video and Night Mode |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 11 (no info on updates) | Poco F3 has an upgrade path to Android 13, while the Redmi Note 11S 5G's future updates are uncertain. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Poco F3 supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Both have the same standards with the exception of SBC which the Poco F3 has. |
| GPS | Full suite including L1+L5 bands | Basic suite | Poco F3 offers more accurate positioning due to the advanced GPS suite. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 64/128GB | Poco F3 offers more internal storage. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 4/6GB | The Poco F3 has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Both offer good sound; Redmi Note 11S 5G has 2 microphones for better audio recording. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Poco F3 has superior screen protection against scratches and accidental impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Full suite incl. Gyroscope | Basic Suite | The Poco F3 has a gyroscope for better support in games and augmented reality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers significantly higher performance compared to the Dimensity 810. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience.
- Better Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate offers better visual quality with richer colors, deeper blacks, and smoother animations than the IPS LCD screen on the Redmi Note 11S 5G.
- Higher Screen Brightness: With 1300 nits, the Poco F3 is dramatically more visible in direct sunlight than the Redmi Note 11S 5G.
- Better Main Camera Performance: Larger sensor and wider aperture result in better image quality in low-light conditions.
- More Storage and RAM: The Poco F3 has higher RAM and storage options available, offering more flexibility.
- Future Software Support: Guaranteed upgrade to Android 13 gives it an edge.
- More Accurate GPS: More robust GPS suite will offer more accurate location information
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides more scratch and shatter resistance.
- Advanced Wifi and Bluetooth: It has a more advanced Wi-Fi standard for faster connections and Bluetooth that supports more audio codecs.
- Wider suite of sensors: It supports more sensors for more functionality.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The larger battery might offer marginally better battery life.
- Wide Angle & Macro Lens: Inclusion of wide-angle and macro lenses offer more versatility in photography compared to Poco F3's simple triple camera setup.
- Ultra Stable Video Mode: Offers improved video stabilization compared to the standard EIS of the Poco F3
- Night Mode: Dedicated night mode is available for better photos in low light environments.
- Slightly lower price: Typically found at a lower price point compared to Poco F3, making it a more budget-friendly choice.
- Better audio recording: The two microphones offer better audio recording.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F3 sacrifices the versatility of a wide angle and macro lens for higher performance and display quality.
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G sacrifices higher performance and an AMOLED screen for a lower price and slightly longer battery life.
- Neither phone offers expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Those who prioritize smooth gameplay and performance will benefit from the powerful Snapdragon 870 chip and 120Hz AMOLED display.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or movies will appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display and smooth scrolling.
- Power Users: People who multitask heavily or use demanding apps will benefit from the extra RAM and performance.
- Users who need bright displays: Those who use their phone outdoors will enjoy the bright display.
- Those who want a phone that will be supported for longer: The Android 13 update ensures a more up-to-date experience.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those looking for a decent phone at a lower price point.
- Casual Photographers: Users who appreciate the flexibility of wide-angle and macro lenses in their daily photography.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Individuals who want a phone that can last a full day without needing to be charged frequently.
- Users who need better audio recording: Those who record a lot of audio or want better call quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The Redmi Note 11S 5G is generally more affordable, while the Poco F3 provides a lot of performance for the money.
- How important is performance? If gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking are priorities, the Poco F3 is the better choice.
- What are my photography needs? If you prioritize flexibility with multiple lenses, the Redmi Note 11S 5G has a wider-angle and macro lens. If you care more about quality and low light performance, the Poco F3 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming & Performance: If you play graphically intensive games or frequently use demanding apps, choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior performance and 120Hz AMOLED display.
- Scenario 2: Outdoor Visibility: If you use your phone primarily outdoors, the bright 1300 nits display of the Xiaomi Poco F3 will make the phone a better option
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use & Budget: If you're looking for an all-around phone that can handle daily tasks and want to save money, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G is a good option, particularly if you value the extra camera lenses.
- Scenario 4: Low-light photography: If low-light photography is your priority, the Poco F3 offers a larger sensor with a wider aperture, but the Redmi Note 11S 5G has the dedicated night mode.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F3. While I acknowledge that the Redmi Note 11S 5G has its strengths like a larger battery, macro and wide-angle lens, and a lower price, the superior performance of the Snapdragon 870 and the vastly superior visual experience of the AMOLED screen of the Poco F3 outweigh these advantages. The 120 Hz refresh rate makes a huge difference in daily use, making everything feel more responsive. The significantly higher brightness of the Poco F3 will be a much better experience for me. Although the Redmi Note 11S 5G might be better for certain use cases, the Poco F3 provides a more compelling overall experience for my needs.
