Xiaomi's Poco sub-brand consistently delivers impressive value, but navigating their lineup can be tricky. The Poco F4 and X4 NFC represent distinct approaches to the mid-range market. The F4, with its Snapdragon 870, aims for near-flagship performance, while the X4 NFC focuses on a balanced package with a Dimensity 920 and a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing raw performance and a brighter display, the Poco F4 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a significant step up in processing power, and the 1003 nits peak brightness provides a superior viewing experience. However, the X4 NFC remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who don't need the absolute fastest speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, June 23 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, June 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14.2 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 43 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 38 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mysterious Black, Forest Green, Timeless Purple, Milky Way Blue | Moonlight Silver, Night Black, Nebula Green |
| Models | - | 22021211RG, 22021211RI |
| Price | - | ₹ 16,999 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 590961 (v8), 698586 (v9)
GeekBench: 3190 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco X4 NFC
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 870
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster charging speed (38 minutes)
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely higher price point
- May run slightly warmer under sustained load
Xiaomi Poco F4
- More affordable price
- Fast 67W charging
- Good battery life (101h endurance)
- Competent performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Dimmer display
Display Comparison
The Poco F4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1003 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the X4 NFC. This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more impactful HDR experience. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on Poco's typical offerings), the F4's higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. Contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal) for the F4, suggesting excellent black levels. The X4 NFC's display specs are less detailed, leaving brightness and color accuracy as potential areas where the F4 excels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, we can infer that the F4 likely features a more sophisticated camera system. The Snapdragon 870's ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Dimensity 920's, potentially leading to better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. Sensor size and lens apertures would be crucial differentiators, but without that data, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. It's reasonable to expect the F4 to offer more refined image quality and potentially 4K video recording capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F4's Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a proven performer, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Kryo 585 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This architecture provides a substantial performance boost over the Poco X4 NFC's MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm). The Dimensity 920, while capable, uses a different core arrangement (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and a slightly less efficient 6nm process. The Snapdragon 870's superior CPU and GPU translate to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and higher frame rates in demanding games. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both the Poco F4 and X4 NFC share a 67W wired charging capability, achieving a full charge in 38 minutes (F4) and 43 minutes (X4 NFC) respectively. This is exceptionally fast charging for this price range. Both phones also have an endurance rating of 101h, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Snapdragon 870 in the F4 is generally more power-efficient under heavy load, meaning it might maintain its battery life longer during intensive tasks like gaming, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data).
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco X4 NFC if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and fast 67W charging, and prioritize value for money above all else. It's ideal for casual gamers and everyday users. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F4 if you prefer a smoother experience with demanding games, faster app loading times, and a brighter, more vibrant display. This phone is geared towards power users and mobile gamers who demand the best possible performance within a mid-range budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F4 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 870 is a powerful chip, it's known for its relatively good thermal efficiency. The Poco F4's cooling system (details not provided) will play a crucial role, but the 7nm process and Qualcomm's optimizations generally prevent excessive throttling, allowing for sustained performance during gaming. However, some heat is inevitable during extended, demanding gameplay.
❓ Is the 67W charging on both phones compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
Yes, both the Poco F4 and X4 NFC support USB Power Delivery (PD3.0) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3). This means they should work with most modern USB-PD chargers, but to achieve the full 67W charging speed, you'll need a charger that specifically supports the Poco's charging protocol. Using a lower-wattage charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
❓ How does the Dimensity 920 in the Poco X4 NFC handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 920 can run Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 870 in the F4 offers a significantly better experience, allowing for higher graphics settings and more stable performance in demanding titles.
