1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Poco F3 is slightly taller and wider, while the Redmi Note 12S is thicker. This translates to a slightly less comfortable single-handed use for the F3, but it is also thinner. |
| Weight | 196g | 176g | Redmi Note 12S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | Poco F3 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both screens will appear equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Nearly identical pixel density; negligible difference in perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco F3 provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced UI. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | Poco F3 is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Poco F3 has a significantly faster and more efficient processor, leading to smoother performance in demanding tasks, better gaming, and faster app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 412,400 | Poco F3 offers nearly double the performance of the Redmi Note 12S, indicating a huge advantage in intensive applications and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco F3's GPU is more powerful, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52" | Redmi Note 12S captures more detail due to higher resolution and a larger sensor, while Poco F3 has a wider aperture that performs better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.4 | Poco F3 offers slightly higher resolution for selfies, while Redmi Note 12S has a negligibly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Redmi Note 12S has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile photography, while Poco F3 lacks this feature. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Redmi Note 12S includes a macro lens for close-up shots, while Poco F3 does not have a macro camera. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | Poco F3 can record video at 4K resolution offering higher quality footage than the Redmi Note 12S. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi Note 12S has a slightly larger battery, which can result in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Both phones offer the same fast charging capabilities, resulting in similar charging times. |
| Features | QC3+/PD3.0 | Reverse charging | Poco F3 supports more advanced fast charging protocols. Redmi Note 12S can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Redmi Note 12S has a more recent Android version out of the box, whereas the Poco F3 has been officially upgraded. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Poco F3 supports the latest WiFi standard for faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Redmi Note 12S has slightly newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering better compatibility and power efficiency. |
| GPS | More systems | Fewer systems | Poco F3 has better location accuracy due to additional satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both phones offer up to 256GB of storage. The Redmi Note 12S offers a lower 64GB tier. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Similar RAM options for both devices. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which is a consideration for users who require more than 256GB storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Poco F3 has more immersive audio with Dolby Atmos, offering a more enhanced sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide similar fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco F3 has superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset provides much faster processing speeds, better gaming performance, and quicker app loading times. This is the largest difference between the two.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a noticeable improvement in smoothness, making scrolling, animations, and gaming feel more fluid.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness provides much better visibility outdoors, especially in bright sunlight.
- Better Audio: Inclusion of Dolby Atmos provides a more immersive and richer sound experience compared to the Redmi Note 12S.
- Faster Wi-Fi: WiFi 6 support for better wireless networking speeds and stability.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers more protection against scratches and drops.
- Better video recording: 4k@30fps provides a noticeably better quality than the 1080p@30fps of the Redmi Note 12S.
- More Satellites for GPS: Better accuracy thanks to more satellite systems.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Inclusion of wide-angle and macro lenses provides greater flexibility in photography.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main sensor captures more details for images.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May provide slightly longer battery life, although this depends heavily on use.
- Newer Android version out of the box
- Slightly newer Bluetooth version
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a power bank for other devices.
- Lighter Design: The Redmi Note 12S is lighter and easier to handle for extended periods.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices camera versatility and battery capacity for raw power and display quality.
- Redmi Note 12S: Prioritizes camera versatility, a newer OS and larger battery over raw processing power and display brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Power Users/Gamers: Those who prioritize performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Frequent Multimedia Consumers: Users who value high display quality, smooth scrolling, and immersive audio.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need good visibility under bright sunlight conditions.
Specific Use Cases for Poco F3:
- Playing graphics-intensive games at high frame rates.
- Editing videos or photos on the go.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Watching movies and streaming videos with vibrant colors and high refresh rates.
- Outdoor use on sunny days where brightness is crucial.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Ideal User:
- Casual Photographers: Users who want more versatile photography options with wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Everyday Users: Those who value a balance of features with good battery life and a lightweight design.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: Those who seek value for their money, prioritizing a well-rounded experience over top-tier performance.
- Those who want the newest android version from the box
Specific Use Cases for Redmi Note 12S:
- Capturing photos in various scenarios using different lenses.
- Lasting a full day on a single charge with moderate usage.
- Easier to handle for those with smaller hands due to the smaller size and weight.
- Using the reverse charging feature in emergencies.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco F3 offers a very high performance per dollar for users who prioritize performance and display quality.
- The Redmi Note 12S offers a slightly lower price and is a solid choice for more casual users who value camera versatility and battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance or camera versatility? (Poco F3 excels in performance, Redmi Note 12S has a more versatile camera)
- How important is display smoothness and brightness? (Poco F3 has a superior display in both areas).
- What is your budget? (Redmi Note 12S is usually slightly more affordable, although prices vary)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Poco F3 for its superior performance, smoother display, and better graphics.
- Scenario 2: Casual Photographer: Choose the Redmi Note 12S for its more versatile camera system and macro lens.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: The choice depends on your specific priorities. If you do not need the absolute best performance, the Redmi Note 12S is a solid choice. However, the Poco F3 also has a good battery life.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Redmi Note 12S as it is generally cheaper.
- Scenario 5: Heavy outdoor user: Choose the Poco F3 for its much brighter display that is more usable in sunny conditions.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F3.
My main reason is that the performance difference is just too significant to ignore. The Snapdragon 870 offers a vastly superior experience in virtually every way, from opening apps faster to playing more demanding games. The 120Hz display and higher brightness further enhance the user experience, making it far more enjoyable to use every day.
While the Redmi Note 12S has a more versatile camera and a slightly larger battery, the performance trade-off is significant. I would prefer a phone that does everything faster and smoother, even if it means sacrificing a dedicated macro lens. The faster wifi and superior screen protection are also a big plus.
For me, the performance and display advantages of the Poco F3 outweigh the camera and battery benefits of the Redmi Note 12S. Therefore, the Poco F3 is the better choice.
