The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro and ZTE nubia Neo 3 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The Poco F5 Pro boasts flagship-level processing power with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while the nubia Neo 3 focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a more affordable price point with the Unisoc T8300. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and a vibrant display, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the clear winner. However, the ZTE nubia Neo 3 offers exceptional battery endurance and a more budget-friendly price, making it ideal for users who prioritize longevity and value over top-tier specs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 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 | 2025, March 03 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm (6.63 x 3.01 x 0.33 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 | - | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~386 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.9 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 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 | Unisoc T8300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP2 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 15 | 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 |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired
Bypass Charging | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh or 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Shadow Black, Cyber Silver, Titanium Gold | Black, White |
| Models | Z2464N | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 200 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 60:37h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class D (45 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
ZTE nubia Neo 3
- Exceptional battery life (60:37h endurance)
- High battery cycle count (800 cycles)
- More affordable price point
- Less powerful processor (Unisoc T8300)
- Limited display specifications
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Bright and vibrant display (1059 nits)
- Fast charging (67W wired, 30W wireless)
- Shorter battery cycle life (unspecified)
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 Pro significantly outshines the nubia Neo 3 in display quality. Its measured peak brightness of 1059 nits ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a feature absent from the nubia Neo 3’s specifications. While the nubia Neo 3’s display details are not provided, the Poco F5 Pro’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone means refresh rate scaling isn't as efficient as higher-end devices, but the Poco F5 Pro’s overall panel quality is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for both. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Poco F5 Pro’s positioning as a more premium device, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system with better image processing. The absence of details on the nubia Neo 3 suggests a more basic camera setup focused on everyday snapshots. We can assume the Poco F5 Pro will offer better low-light performance and more versatile shooting options.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Poco F5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-tier chipset featuring an octa-core configuration with a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the nubia Neo 3’s Unisoc T8300 (6nm), which, while efficient, utilizes a Cortex-A78 based architecture. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers superior thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Poco F5 Pro’s CPU architecture (1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, 4x Cortex-A510) is designed for peak performance, while the nubia Neo 3’s (2x Cortex-A78, 6x Cortex-A55) prioritizes efficiency. This translates to a noticeably smoother and faster experience on the Poco F5 Pro.
Battery Life
The nubia Neo 3 boasts a remarkable 60:37h endurance rating and a claimed 800 charge cycles, indicating exceptional longevity. While the Poco F5 Pro also achieves a strong 99h endurance rating, the nubia Neo 3’s focus on battery health (800 cycles) is a significant differentiator. The Poco F5 Pro compensates with significantly faster charging: 67W wired (50% in 15 minutes), 30W wireless (50% in 32 minutes), and support for PD3.0 and QC3+. The nubia Neo 3’s 33W wired charging is considerably slower. The nubia Neo 3 prioritizes long-term battery health and overall runtime, while the Poco F5 Pro prioritizes quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Neo 3 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day (and then some) of moderate to heavy use, and you're willing to trade some processing power for extended battery life and a lower price. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you demand smooth performance in demanding games and applications, appreciate a bright and color-accurate display, and value faster charging capabilities, even if it means more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T8300 in the nubia Neo 3 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Unisoc T8300 is a capable chip, it won't deliver the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro. Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games will likely require lower settings to maintain a smooth frame rate on the nubia Neo 3. The Poco F5 Pro will handle these games with ease at higher settings.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro compare to the 33W charging on the nubia Neo 3 in real-world use?
The Poco F5 Pro’s 67W charging is significantly faster. It can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes, while the nubia Neo 3 will take considerably longer. This makes the Poco F5 Pro ideal for users who need a quick power boost, while the nubia Neo 3 is better suited for overnight charging.
❓ Is the 800 charge cycle claim for the nubia Neo 3 a significant advantage?
Yes, it is. A charge cycle represents a full discharge and recharge of the battery. 800 cycles suggest the nubia Neo 3’s battery will retain a higher percentage of its original capacity after two years of typical use compared to phones with lower cycle counts. This translates to a longer overall battery lifespan.
