Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Poco M3 vs. Samsung Galaxy A04s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M3 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | A04s is slightly taller and thinner; Poco M3 is a bit thicker. Minimal difference, negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 198g | 195g | Almost identical; both are mid-weight phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.53" | 6.5" | Negligibly small difference in screen size; virtually identical for most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 720x1600 | Poco M3 has a noticeably sharper and clearer screen; text, images and video will appear more defined. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 395 | 270 | The Poco M3 display is significantly sharper; finer details are more visible. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | PLS LCD | IPS offers slightly better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | A04s provides a smoother scrolling experience; noticeable in UI navigation and supported apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones lack brightness data; difficult to assess their sunlight readability or overall screen quality in bright conditions, potential issue |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Different chipsets. Snapdragon 662 has better single core and multi-core performace |
| Antutu Score | 185,028 | 117,300 | Poco M3 is considerably faster; apps load quicker and multitasking is smoother; can handle more demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 | Poco M3 will deliver better graphics in gaming and GPU-intensive apps due to its Adreno GPU |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8 | A04s has slightly higher resolution (50MP vs 48MP); Poco M3 has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4", 1.12µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | Poco M3 has higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies. |
| Depth Sensor | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | A04s can take photos with a blurred background effect. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | A04s can take close-up photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: 120 fps | 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: 34 fps | Both offer basic 1080p video. Poco M3 records slow-mo at higher fps. |
| Features | DIS, Manual, Cont. | PDAF | Poco M3 offers additional camera features; Samsung A04s offers PDAF focusing |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 6000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M3 has a larger battery; should last longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Poco M3 charges slightly faster, less time plugged in |
| Features | Reverse charging, 22.5W charger | Non-removable | Poco M3 can charge other devices, and its charger is faster and included in box |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, upgradable to 14 | A04s has newer OS version and should receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Poco M3 supports dual-band; potentially more stable wifi connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Identical Bluetooth features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, NavIC | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Similar GPS capabilities; minor differences in satellite systems support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Both come with 64GB/128GB options; A04s has an extra 32GB version. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 3/4 GB | Poco M3 with more RAM will allow for better multitasking between apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion; potential limitation for heavy media users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Poco M3 delivers significantly better audio quality via Hi-Res audio playback and stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both have a standard side-mounted fingerprint sensor; equally convenient. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Poco M3 has superior scratch protection; likely to be more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Poco M3 has a compass which is useful for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M3 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 662 chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance.
- Superior Display Quality: Higher resolution and pixel density deliver a much sharper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery coupled with the 18W fast charging allows for longer usage and quicker recharge times.
- Better Audio Quality: The inclusion of Hi-Res Audio and Stereo speakers provides a much more immersive audio experience for music, videos, and games.
- Enhanced Camera Experience Better front-facing camera and more camera features
- Dual Band Wifi For more stable wifi connection.
- More RAM Options: 6 GB of RAM for better multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 12 (upgradable to 14), which means it has newer features and is likely to receive future software updates for longer period.
- 90Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother animations and scrolling make the UI feel more fluid and responsive
- Depth and Macro Sensors: Allows for more versatile photography with portrait and macro modes.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco M3 sacrifices a high refresh rate display for a higher resolution, better speakers and significantly better performance.
- The A04s sacrifices raw performance for more up to date software, a slightly higher resoultion on the main camera, macro lens, and depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M3:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, long battery life, good audio and good general photo quality.
- Use Cases:
- Gamers or users who play a lot of games on their smartphones.
- Users who frequently watch videos or stream content.
- Users who need all-day battery life without needing to charge.
- Users who enjoy listening to music with good audio quality
- Users who frequently browse the web or multi-task between apps.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and a good media experience at an affordable price point.
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal User: Users who value having the latest software features, more basic photo taking capabilities and a smooth UI experience.
- Use Cases:
- Users who prioritize having an updated Android OS.
- Users who prefer smooth UI navigation over raw performance.
- Users who occasionally take portrait and macro photos.
- Users who want a standard phone experience with a newer software version
- Price-to-Value: A good option for budget-conscious users who want a newer phone with a decent screen and software.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, media consumption, basic use, social media, camera focused)
- How important is performance and battery life to you?
- Do you value software updates and future support or prioritize display and audio quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance is Crucial: If you want a phone for gaming, heavy multi-tasking, and overall smooth performance, choose the Xiaomi Poco M3.
- Scenario 2: You want the latest Android OS: If you prefer a newer software version with latest features and a smoother UI experience, choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s.
- Scenario 3: All-round media experience: If you want better resolution, better audio, longer battery and a good overall media experience, the Xiaomi Poco M3 is recommended.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco M3. The Poco M3 offers better raw performance, a sharper display, significantly better audio and a larger battery, which all aligns with my personal preferences for overall performance, media consumption and multitasking. The only compromise would be a slightly older operating system but I am ok with that as the other pros out weigh the only con. I don't take a lot of macro or portrait photos, so I do not see the need for that.
