1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 165.7 × 76 × 7.9 mm | Redmi Note 12 4G is slightly taller (2mm) but nearly identical in width and thickness. Minimal real-world difference. |
| Weight | 196g | 183.5g | Redmi Note 12 4G is lighter by 12.5g, which may be noticeable for users holding the phone for extended periods. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 offers better scratch and impact resistance for the screen. |
Display
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.67" | 6.67" | Identical screen size, resulting in a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same pixel density and sharpness on both screens. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Equally sharp displays. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | Poco F3 is noticeably brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) | Poco F3's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster app loading, better multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 338,900 | Poco F3 has far superior performance - over double the score - noticeable in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 610 | Poco F3 handles graphics-intensive tasks much better, beneficial for gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Redmi Note 12 4G has slightly higher resolution, but Poco F3's larger sensor and wider aperture capture more light, likely resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2, 0.8µm | 13MP, f/2.45, 1.12µm | Poco F3 takes higher resolution selfies; Redmi Note 12 4G has larger pixel size |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV08D10, 1.12µm | Redmi Note 12 4G offers a wider field of view for landscapes and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 12 4G allows close-up photos; quality is typically basic. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@up to 960fps | 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 has much more capable video capture, including higher resolution and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile (63), Photo (54), Video (66) | Redmi Note 12 4G has a tested camera benchmark; Poco F3 has no tested score, making a direct comparison difficult |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Panorama, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Poco F3 has additional features like 4k video, manual focus, continuous shooting and panorama |
Battery
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 12 4G has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer usage between charges, though real-world difference may vary. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both phones charge at the same rate, but total charge time may vary slightly due to different battery capacities. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, QC3+/PD3.0 support | Non-removable, reverse charging | Poco F3 supports more fast charging protocols, while Redmi Note 12 4G can act as a power bank. |
Other
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 14) | Redmi Note 12 4G ships with a newer Android version, potentially offering more up-to-date features and security patches. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Poco F3 has faster, more efficient Wi-Fi, particularly useful in congested networks; MiMO enhances network connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0, LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Poco F3 supports more audio codecs for better wireless audio quality; Redmi Note 12 4G has some niche features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou (B1,B2), NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco F3 has more precise location tracking due to additional satellite systems support |
| Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB or 256 GB | Both phones come with different internal storage options; no expandable storage in either. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB, 6 GB or 8 GB | Both phones have multiple RAM options, crucial for smooth multitasking. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | Poco F3 provides significantly better audio quality, especially with stereo sound and spatial features. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco F3 includes an ultrasonic proximity sensor, while the Redmi Note 12 4G has a standard proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides much faster processing speed and better graphics performance, noticeable in everyday use and demanding applications/games.
- Better Display Brightness: The 100-nit difference in brightness makes the Poco F3 more readable under direct sunlight.
- Enhanced Camera Features: 4K video recording, wider aperture, larger sensor on main camera for potentially better low-light photos. Includes advanced features like manual focus and panorama.
- Superior Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers provide a vastly superior listening experience.
- Faster Wi-Fi and Better Bluetooth: Wi-Fi 6 and more advanced Bluetooth codecs provide faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior durability compared to the Redmi's Gorilla Glass 3.
- More Precise Location Tracking: Better GPS capabilities for improved accuracy.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer Android version, offering potentially more up-to-date features and longer software support.
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery may result in slightly longer battery life.
- Wider Angle Lens & Macro Lens: More versatile camera system with dedicated lenses for different shooting scenarios.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank, charging other devices.
- Tested Camera Performance: Has an official DxOMark score, giving a clear understanding of its capabilities (while Poco F3 is untested)
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3 sacrifices a slightly larger battery and the macro/wide angle lens for significantly better performance, a brighter screen, and superior audio experience.
- Redmi Note 12 4G trades raw processing power and high-end features for a more versatile camera system, newer software, and reverse charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Gamers: Users who prioritize smooth, high-performance gaming experiences.
- Power Users: Those who heavily multitask, use demanding apps, and want fast performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality audio and video playback.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who like to take photos in low-light situations.
Ideal Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games.
- Editing videos or photos on the go.
- Watching movies or listening to music with high-fidelity sound.
- Using the device outdoors in bright sunlight.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a reliable device for everyday tasks with good battery life.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a newer phone on a tighter budget.
- General Photographers: Those who want versatile camera options, including wide-angle and macro, without needing the highest image quality.
- Users who value reverse charging: Able to use the phone as a power bank to charge other devices
Ideal Use Cases for Redmi Note 12 4G:
- Basic social media browsing and app use.
- Taking occasional photos with flexibility of wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Longer usage away from a charger.
- Charging other small devices.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 offers excellent value for performance-focused users, justifying a higher price due to the premium chipset and display.
- The Redmi Note 12 4G provides good value for users looking for a modern, all-around phone at a more budget-friendly price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance? If you need a device for demanding tasks and gaming, the Poco F3 is clearly superior. If your usage is lighter, the Redmi Note 12 4G will suffice.
- What is more important, a more versatile camera or better image quality (main camera)? The Redmi Note 12 4G has more lenses, but the Poco F3's main camera is potentially better for low-light, and 4K videos.
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 12 4G is generally more affordable and therefore, might be better for someone on a budget.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3. Its powerful chipset and GPU, along with the 120Hz display, provide the best gaming experience of these two options.
- Scenario 2: Casual User focused on everyday tasks:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. It is more affordable with decent overall performance, a versatile camera, and a slightly larger battery.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Buyer needing a new phone with good battery life:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G. It is more affordable, with more up-to-date software, and a larger battery.
- Scenario 4: Media consumption and high quality audio:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco F3: The better display brightness and high quality audio make for a better media consumption experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3. The superior performance of the Snapdragon 870 chipset, the brighter display, and the enhanced audio features are more important to me than the slightly larger battery and additional camera lenses offered by the Redmi Note 12 4G. I prioritize performance for smooth multitasking and gaming, and I value good media consumption experiences, which the Poco F3 handles better. Additionally, the screen protection with Gorilla Glass 5 is a good addition. Although the Redmi Note 12 4G has its advantages, the Poco F3 delivers a better overall experience for my needs and usage patterns.
