The BLU Bold N3 and Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The N3 leverages MediaTek’s Dimensity 7050, while the F5 Pro boasts the older, but still potent, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of each device to determine which offers the best blend of performance, features, and value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly higher performance, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming, and the 67W charging with wireless capabilities provides greater flexibility. While the BLU Bold N3 offers a competitive price, the F5 Pro’s superior processing power justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 74.7 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm | - |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 39 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4700 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sage Green | Black, White |
| Models | - | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 250 EUR | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
BLU Bold N3
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Clean and streamlined software experience (likely)
- Competitive battery endurance
- Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Limited camera information
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- Brighter and potentially smoother display
- Potentially higher price
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be feature-rich but bloated
- May run slightly warmer under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro’s display boasts a measured peak brightness of 1059 nits, a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the BLU Bold N3, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. While both phones likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the F5 Pro’s higher brightness and infinite contrast ratio suggest a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the BLU Bold N3 means the F5 Pro likely has a smoother experience, assuming it features a 120Hz panel (common for this chipset).
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing for the BLU Bold N3. The Poco F5 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. While megapixel counts aren’t specified, the F5 Pro’s higher processing power allows for more advanced image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of details on the BLU Bold N3’s camera system makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the F5 Pro’s capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is built on a smaller node than the BLU Bold N3’s Dimensity 7050 (6nm), translating to improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz alongside A710 and A510 cores – provides a significant performance uplift compared to the Dimensity 7050’s Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. This difference will be most noticeable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications. The F5 Pro’s LPDDR5X RAM (assumed, based on chipset) will also contribute to faster data transfer speeds.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the BLU Bold N3’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the Poco F5 Pro offers a more versatile charging solution. Its 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC3+, can deliver a 50% charge in just 15 minutes. The addition of 30W wireless charging, reaching 50% in 32 minutes, provides added convenience. The BLU Bold N3’s 66W wired charging, while fast, lacks the wireless option and takes a reported 39 minutes for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Bold N3 if you prioritize affordability and a streamlined user experience, and your primary use case revolves around everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light content consumption. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you demand higher performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value faster charging speeds and the convenience of wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 was known to run warm, it's significantly better managed than its predecessor, the 8 Gen 1. The Poco F5 Pro likely incorporates effective thermal management solutions, such as vapor chamber cooling, to mitigate throttling during extended gaming. However, some heat buildup is still possible, especially in demanding titles at maximum settings.
❓ How does the Dimensity 7050 in the BLU Bold N3 handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Dimensity 7050 is capable of running these games, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It won't deliver the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and you may experience occasional frame drops during intense scenes. It's best suited for medium settings and moderate gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 66W charging on the BLU Bold N3 significantly slower than the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro in real-world use?
While the wattage difference is small, the Poco F5 Pro’s support for PD3.0 and QC3+ charging protocols allows it to optimize the charging process for faster speeds. The addition of 30W wireless charging also provides a significant advantage in convenience. In practice, you'll likely notice a difference in charging time, with the Poco F5 Pro reaching full charge slightly faster.
