Poco F3 vs Google Pixel 5a 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance, Camera, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming, the Poco F3 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 delivers significantly faster processing speeds. However, the Pixel 5a 5G offers a more refined software experience, superior camera image processing, and slightly better battery endurance, making it ideal for everyday users and photography enthusiasts.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Google Pixel 5a 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 22 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 27 | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| IP53, dust and splash resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, HyperOS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (macro), AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Virtual proximity sensing | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4520 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Arctic White, Night Black, Deep Ocean Blue, Moonlight Silver | Mostly Black |
| Models | M2012K11AG | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | € 162.15 | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| SAR | 1.06 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 114h | Endurance rating 122h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.5 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 631850 (v8), 697216 (v9) GeekBench: 3206 (v5.1) GFXBench: 48fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 291303 (v8) GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco F3
- Significantly faster processor for gaming and demanding apps
- Faster charging speeds (33W vs 18W)
- Potentially sharper display
- Slightly lower battery endurance
- Less refined camera image processing
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Superior camera image processing and low-light performance
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life
- Slower processor for demanding tasks
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting excellent black levels. However, the Pixel 5a 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 861 nits, a significant advantage over the Poco F3’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both are likely 60Hz panels (not specified), the Pixel 5a’s higher brightness makes it the more comfortable option for outdoor use. The Poco F3’s display, while likely sharper, lacks the Pixel 5a’s real-world visibility advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but their approaches differ. The Pixel 5a 5G leverages Google’s computational photography expertise, known for its excellent dynamic range and accurate color reproduction, even with a potentially smaller sensor (sensor size not specified). The Poco F3 relies on hardware, but lacks the software optimization of the Pixel. While the Poco F3 may offer more versatility with potential additional lenses (not specified), the Pixel 5a 5G is likely to deliver more consistently pleasing results in a wider range of conditions, particularly in low light. The Pixel’s image processing is a key differentiator.
Performance
The Poco F3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is the dominant force here. Its octa-core CPU, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, significantly outperforms the Pixel 5a 5G’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The 765G’s CPU, peaking at 2.4 GHz, is geared towards efficiency rather than outright speed. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Poco F3’s superior GPU will deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. While both use 7nm fabrication, the 870’s architecture is a generation ahead, offering a substantial performance leap. The Poco F3 is the clear choice for users who demand the fastest possible performance.
Battery Life
The Pixel 5a 5G edges out the Poco F3 in endurance, achieving a rating of 122 hours compared to the Poco F3’s 114 hours. This suggests slightly better power efficiency from the Snapdragon 765G and Google’s software optimizations. However, the Poco F3 compensates with significantly faster 33W wired charging (PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 52 min) compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W charging (PD2.0). This means the Poco F3 can recover from a depleted battery much quicker, even if it doesn’t last quite as long on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco F3 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, demanding applications, or future-proofing. It’s the choice for power users who value speed above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prefer a streamlined Android experience, exceptional camera quality, and reliable all-day battery life, even if it means sacrificing some processing power. It’s the ideal phone for casual users and those who prioritize photography.