Huawei has been improving their game recently. Since the Nova 2i last year, everybody’s attention was focused on this brand as they wait for another value-oriented product that they will launch next.
So far, Huawei was able to meet people’s expectations. Their newest release, the Huawei Nova 3, brings some of the features that we only see in flagship devices, inside a premium midrange smartphone.
But not long after its release, Xiaomi surprised us with the Pocophone F1, which is also a proper midrange device with high-end features.
These two smartphones come with some of the most powerful processors around. There is Huawei’s own Kirin 970 chipset running on the Nova 3, while the Pocophone F1 uses the trusty Snapdragon 845 processor from Qualcomm.
So the question is, which between these two devices should you get? In this Xiaomi Pocophone F1 versus Huawei Nova 3 specifications and features comparison, we’ll see which is the better smartphone between the two.
| Poco F1 | Huawei Nova 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 8.1 Oreo MIUI 9.6 Poco launcher | Android 8.1 Oreo EMUI 8.2 |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby Hybrid | Dual SIM Dual Standby Hybrid |
| Display | 6.18-inch FHD+ IPS 2246 x 1080 pixel resolution ~403ppi 19:9 aspect ratio | 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS 2340 × 1080 pixel resolution ~409ppi 19:9 aspect ratio |
| Processor | 2.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 octa-core LiquidCool cooling system | 2.4GHz HiSilicon Kirin 970 octa-core |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB |
| GPU | Adreno 630 | Mali-G72 MP12 |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB UFS2.1 expandable via microSD up to 256GB | 128GB expandable via microSD up to 256GB |
| Front camera | 20-megapixel f/2.0 | 24-megapixel + 2-megapixel f/2.0 3D Qmoji |
| Rear Camera | 12-megapixel + 5-megapixel f/1.9 PDAF AI scene detection LED flash | 24-megapixel (monochrome) + 16-megapixel (RGB) f/1.8 PDAF AI scene detection LED flash |
| Security | Fingerprint scanner Infrared Face Unlock | Fingerprint scanner Face Unlock |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers Headphone Jack | Single loudspeaker Headphone jack |
| Connectivity | HSPA+, 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0 GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo,QZSS FM Radio USB Type-C | HSPA+, 4G LTE WiFi 802.11 ac, hotspot Bluetooth 4.2, A2DP GPS, A-GPS, BDS, GLONASS USB Type-C |
| Dimensions | 155.5 x 75.3 x 8.8mm | 157 x 73.7 x 7.3mm |
| Weight | 180g | 166g |
| Colors | Steel Blue Rosso Red Graphite Black Kevlar (Armored edition) | Purple Blue Black Gold |
| Battery | 4,000mAh non-removable Quick Charge 3.0 | 3,750mAh non-removable Fast charging |
| Price | 6GB/64GB: Rs. 20,999 (~Php16,000) 6GB/128GB: Rs. 23,999 (~Php18,000) 8GB/256GB: Rs.28,999 (~Php22,000) 8GB/256GB: Rs. 29,999 (~Php23,000) | Php25,990 |
It’s really obvious, the Xiaomi Poco F1 has dominated the Huawei Nova 3 in this comparison. However, the latter has one distinct feature that’s way better than the F1. And honestly, a lot of people in the market probably has this feature as their top priority.
What I’m talking about are the cameras. As you all know, the Nova 3’s claim to fame is its quad-camera setup. This handset has a 24-megapixel and 16-megapixel dual rear shooters, while the F1 only has a 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel setup.
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Huawei’s offering is also a better selfie snapper. It comes with a sharp 24-megapixel front camera, backed with a 2-megapixel one for depth-sensing used in the Portrait Mode feature. Meanwhile, the Poco F1 settles for a 20-megapixel front-facing camera.
Moreover, the Huawei Nova 3 is compatible with Huawei’s GPU Turbo Technology which can be a huge plus for avid gamers as it can accelerate the GPU’s performance when playing select games such as PUBG mobile and Mobile Legends. It’s Kirin 970 processor, together with its dedicated NPU, was tailored to help the Nova 3 handle its AI-enabled features.
But as we all know, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor on the Poco F1 is still more powerful, which means it can handle any weightlifting better. In addition, the Pocophone F1 sports a faster UFS 2.1 storage.
The Xiaomi Poco F1 also brags a larger battery capacity. It comes with a 4,000mAh capacity and Quick Charge 3.0, while the Nova 3 has a 3,750mAh capacity with an 18W fast charger.
Probably one of the most underrated features of smartphones is their stereo speakers. Most devices like the Nova 3, only has a single loudspeaker which is okay for listening for music, but for watching movies and videos, having a stereo setup provides a more immersive experience.
This feature is also great for gaming as it provides directional audio for titles like PUBG Mobile, without the need of plugging in a pair of headphones.
Other than the specs, the most obvious win of the Poco F1 over the Huawei Nova 3i is the price. Xiaomi’s offering price starts at only Rs. 20,999, which is around Php16,000 when directly converted to Philippine pesos.
On the other hand, the Nova 3 retails for a price of Php25,990. It’s already an appealing device for the price, however, the Xiaomi Poco F1’s pricing clearly ruined it for this them. In fact, even the Poco F1’s top-of-the-line model, which retails at Rs. 29,999 (~Php23,000), is even cheaper.
The only problem is, Xiaomi is yet to announced the official launch date of the Pocophone F1 here in the country. Meanwhile, you can now get Huawei Nova 3 in stores, kiosks, and online shops.
Hey, you forgot to change the comparison table.
Yes, sorry about that. Fixed it. Thank you! :-)