Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco F3 vs. ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco F3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-27 | 2023-07-27 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is significantly newer, with more up-to-date technology |
| Dimensions | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable in hand for some |
| Weight | 196g | 228g | Xiaomi Poco F3 is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.8" | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers sharper visuals, noticeable in text and detailed images |
| PPI | 395 | 452 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks on both |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animation, crucial for gaming and fast-paced content |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is better suited for outdoor use due to higher brightness |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides significantly faster processing, better for demanding tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 800,216 | 1,579,720 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers considerably smoother experience in games and multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 740 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is better suited for graphics intensive tasks and gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.79 1/2" Sony IMX582 0.8µm | 54MP f/1.6 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 1.0µm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a larger sensor with larger pixels capturing more light, leading to better low-light performance and detail |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP f/2.4 Hynix HI-847 1.0µm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities, lacking on Xiaomi |
| Wide Angle lens | None | 50MP f/2.0 1/2.88" Omnivision OV50D40 0.61µm | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers wide-angle capabilities, lacking on Xiaomi |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP f/2.45 1/3.4" Samsung S5K3T2 0.8µm | 16MP f/2.5 1/3.06" Omnivision OV16A10 1.0µm | Xiaomi Poco F3 has a higher resolution front camera, ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has larger pixels for better light sensitivity |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, up to 960fps slow-mo | 8K@30fps with EIS, up to 120fps 4K, up to 480fps slow-mo | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides superior video capabilities, including 8K recording and more versatile slow-motion |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, etc. | Flicker sensor, 8K Video, OIS, Gimbal, RAW, Night Mode etc. | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers significantly more advanced features and stabilization options |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4520mAh | 5100mAh | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a larger battery offering extended usage time |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime |
| Charging Features | QC3 + / PD3.0 | None | Xiaomi Poco F3 has specific charging protocol support |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has a more up-to-date operating system out-of-the-box |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro has access to newer WiFi standard with faster speed and lower latency |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro features newer bluetooth version offering greater energy efficiency and connection stability |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, etc. | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, etc. | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro supports more satellite systems, offering more accurate location tracking |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256GB/1TB | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is available with much higher internal storage options |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 12/16GB | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers significantly more RAM, leading to improved multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X | Xiaomi Poco F3 has better quality due to the inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco F3's side-mounted sensor might be easier to access and faster |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco F3 offers better protection against scratches and damage |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (32g difference), making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio provides an immersive and high-fidelity audio experience
- Screen Protection: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass 5, better protection against scratches.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May offer faster access for some users.
- Supports QC3 + / PD3.0 Fast Charging Protocol: Allows for more flexibility in fast charging options with compatible chargers.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm) provides significantly better performance (97% higher benchmark scores), smoother for demanding games and multitasking.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness provide a sharper and more visible screen, especially outdoors.
- Better Camera System: Larger main sensor, additional telephoto and wide-angle lens, resulting in more versatile photography and videography.
- Enhanced Video Capabilities: Supports up to 8K recording, higher frame rate 4K recording, and more advanced slow-motion capabilities.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and faster recharge times.
- More Internal Storage: Offers significantly more storage (up to 1TB vs 256GB).
- More RAM: Offers considerably more RAM (up to 16GB vs 8GB).
- Up-to-date OS: Runs Android 13 out of the box, while Xiaomi Poco F3 runs Android 11(upgradable to 13)
- Newer Connectivity: WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 offer faster, more stable connections.
- More Accurate GPS: supports more satellite systems, offering more accurate location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco F3 sacrifices performance and camera versatility for a lighter design and lower price.
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro trades a slight increase in weight and thickness for considerably superior overall performance and camera features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability and are willing to trade some performance and camera features.
- Casual users: Those mainly browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Users who value comfort: Those who prioritize lighter devices for easier handling during prolonged use.
- Users with good headphones: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio can provide a better experience for those who heavily use headphones.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco F3:
- Daily communication, social media, browsing the web, watching videos.
- Light gaming on less demanding titles.
- Users requiring a secondary device for media consumption or light work.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Demanding users who need a device for heavy multitasking, gaming, or video editing.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with excellent image quality and video features.
- Power users: Users who require a long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who need large storage: Users who download many movies or games, and who need local storage.
Use Cases for ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Demanding gaming, video editing, graphic design, and heavy multitasking.
- Professional or semi-professional photography and videography.
- Users needing a device that can handle intensive tasks all day long.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to me? (Light tasks vs. heavy gaming/multitasking).
- What are my camera needs? (Basic snapshots vs. versatile photography and videography).
- How important is portability? (Light and compact vs. larger and feature-rich).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget user, light tasks: Xiaomi Poco F3 is a better value choice.
- User who wants better camera, performance: ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is a clear winner.
- User focused on gaming and video editing: ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is recommended because of the better GPU, and superior video recording capabilities.
- User focused on daily use, with occasional multimedia consumption: Xiaomi Poco F3 is recommended because of its lower weight, and better audio.
Personal Choice
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro.
While the Xiaomi Poco F3 has some benefits, such as being lighter and having Dolby Atmos audio, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro wins due to its dramatically superior performance, camera system, and overall newer technology. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chip offers a significant leap in processing power, making it suitable for demanding games and multitasking. I value the upgraded camera system for its versatility with the inclusion of a telephoto and wide-angle lens which is lacking in the Poco F3. Additionally, features like 8K video recording, faster charging, and a more modern operating system make the Z50S Pro a more future-proof option. I am willing to sacrifice a little weight for the substantial performance, display, and camera improvements that the Z50S Pro offers.
