1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | Poco F3 is slightly wider while the Axon 40 Ultra is a bit thicker; may impact one-handed use and pocketability slightly. |
| Weight | 196g | 204g | Poco F3 is slightly lighter; might be noticeable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | Axon 40 Ultra offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen size, but the difference is minor |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | Axon 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper display; the difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users. |
| PPI | 395 | 400 | Both have very similar pixel densities; visual clarity will be comparable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; no practical difference. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | Axon 40 Ultra has better outdoor visibility, more effective under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Axon 40 Ultra has a more powerful and efficient chip; leads to noticeably faster app loading, smoother operation, and better gaming performance, more future proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,061,300 | Axon 40 Ultra demonstrates superior performance; noticeable in resource-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 730 | Axon 40 Ultra has a more powerful GPU; Better graphics performance in demanding games and applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5000mAh | Axon 40 Ultra has slightly better battery life, however the difference will not be too big. |
| Charging | 33W | 65W | Axon 40 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" | Axon 40 Ultra's main camera has better low-light performance, sharper images due to higher resolution and a larger sensor. |
| Selfie | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" | 16MP, f/2.0 | Axon 40 Ultra has a brighter selfie camera. Poco F3 has better selfie camera due to resolution. |
| Telephoto | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2" | Axon 40 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, useful for portrait and distant subject shots. |
| Wide + Macro | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72" | Axon 40 Ultra offers ultrawide capabilities as well as macro which makes the phone more versatile. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Axon 40 Ultra provides better depth sensing capabilities |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@60/120fps with HDR, EIS | Axon 40 Ultra offers higher resolution video, better HDR, and higher frame rates, better for professional videographers. |
| Features | 4K, Digital zoom, EIS | 8K, Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF, LAF, Under display camera, RAW, Night mode | Axon 40 Ultra has superior camera features, such as better stabilization, zoom, advanced autofocus and RAW capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | Axon 40 Ultra has a newer base Android version; both are updatable to the same. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast Wi-Fi speeds, similar performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, AptX, LDAC | 5.2 | Axon 40 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth with no other notable feature. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1,B2), Galileo(E1+E5a), NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | Poco F3 has support for more satellite systems, resulting in greater location accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256 GB | 128GB, 256 GB, 512GB, 1024GB | Axon 40 Ultra has significantly more storage options; useful for those who need lots of storage for media, apps, and files. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 8 GB, 12GB, 16GB, 18 GB | Axon 40 Ultra has much more RAM options; excellent for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards, which may be a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have stereo speakers. Poco F3 has Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio for better sound quality. Axon 40 Ultra has extra microphone for better sound recording. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic | Poco F3 offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is faster than the basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Poco F3 offers superior protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Poco F3 has a compass. Axon 40 Ultra has proximity sensor for better face detection as well as hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter: Slightly lighter (8g difference) which may provide more comfortable prolonged use.
- More accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for greater location accuracy.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Offers high-fidelity audio playback, which provides better audio quality for audiophiles.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Is generally faster and more convenient than basic sensors.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Faster CPU and GPU offer noticeably better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Better Display: Brighter screen for better outdoor visibility and a larger display.
- Better Camera System: Superior camera hardware including a telephoto, wide and macro, offers more features and flexibility including higher video resolutions.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging replenishes the battery more quickly.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Has substantially more storage and RAM which provides a smoother and more versatile experience.
- Advanced camera features: Optical zoom, OIS, advanced autofocus modes, and RAW support.
Trade-offs:
- Poco F3: Sacrifices camera versatility and performance for lighter weight and better location tracking.
- Axon 40 Ultra: Slightly heavier and bigger, and has a lower base audio feature set than the Poco F3.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Gamers on a Budget: Good performance for gaming on a budget with great location tracking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Its display and audio capabilities make it a suitable choice for content consumption.
- Users Prioritizing Practicality: Its side fingerprint scanner and lighter build offer a more convenient daily experience.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Power Users: The powerful processor and ample RAM are ideal for multitasking and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Its advanced camera features and great image processing capabilities make it ideal for those who take photography seriously.
- Media Creators: The high-resolution video capabilities are perfect for creating professional-grade content.
- Users Who Value Performance and Quality: Top-tier performance, a vibrant display, and high-quality camera performance are key for these users.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Poco F3 provides great value for the money, offering a great balance of performance and features.
- Axon 40 Ultra provides great value for money, if high-end performance and photography are a priority.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily use, multimedia, productivity).
- Do I need top-tier performance, or is good performance sufficient?
- How important is camera versatility and quality to me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Gaming: Choose the Poco F3. It offers excellent gaming capabilities for the price, with a lighter form factor for better handling.
- Scenario 2: Professional Photography/Videography: Choose the Axon 40 Ultra. Its advanced camera system with OIS, telephoto lens, and 8K video is essential for high-quality content creation.
- Scenario 3: All-Around Performance with Focus on Camera: Choose the Axon 40 Ultra. Its performance and display are top-tier, with a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Scenario 4: Balanced Daily Use with Practicality: Choose the Poco F3. The phone is lighter, is still a great performer for most tasks, and has Hi-Res audio output.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would select the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Xiaomi Poco F3 is a great device, the Axon 40 Ultra offers a more complete experience for my needs. My primary use case involves a mix of demanding tasks like photo editing and video playback. The Axon 40 Ultra is better in these key areas:
- Performance: The faster chipset and additional RAM will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience, particularly when running resource-intensive apps.
- Camera Versatility: I value the telephoto lens, and the wide angle camera makes the phone much more versatile. The better video recording capability as well as the raw photo capabilities is essential for creating high quality content.
- Faster Charging: The 65W fast charging is a significant convenience for me, ensuring my device is always ready to go.
- Brighter Display: The increased brightness is important for better visibility, especially when using it outdoors in direct sunlight.
While the Poco F3 is lighter and has better audio quality, the Axon 40 Ultra is much more suitable for my needs. I am willing to trade slightly less audio for greatly improved performance and a more versatile camera system.
