Xiaomi Mi A2 VS Poco F1 : Which One Should You Buy?

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The Mi A2 is just two flash sales old and Xiaomi, under its new sub-brand Pocophone, launched a new smartphone called Poco F1. With this launch, Xiaomi has created a sort of a situation for buyers who are looking to buy a smartphone around Rs 20,000 price bracket. (Xiaomi Mi A2 vs Poco F1 comparison हिंदी में पढ़े)

While the Mi A2 continues the legacy established by Xiaomi’s original Android One phone Mi A1, its challenger the Pocophone aims to create a distinguished, uncompromised identity for itself by simply raising the specs bar to an unprecedented level. Which one should you go for Mi A2 (review) or Poco F1 (review)? Let’s find out:

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Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Xiaomi PocoPhone F1 Specs

Model Xiaomi Poco F1 Xiaomi Mi A2
Display 5.99-inch full-HD+ (1080×2280 pixels) display, 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 19:9 aspect ratio. 5.99-Inch, Full HD+ IPS LCD display, 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3
Processor Octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC 2.2GHz octa-core Snapdragon 660 processor
RAM 6GB/8GB 4GB
Internal Storage 64GB /128GB / 256GB expandable via microSD (400GB) 64GB
Software Android 8.1 Oreo-based MIUI 9.5 Android 8.1 Oreo
Primary Camera 12MP f/1.8,1.4µm, 4-axis OIS, dual pixel PDAF;
5 MP, depth sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flashlight
12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.9″, 1.25µm
20 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.8″, 1.0µm, PDAF
Secondary Camera 20MP, AI features 20 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8″, 1.0µm
Battery 4000mAh + 18W charger (Quick Charge 3.0) 3,010 mAh with QC 4+ support
Connectivity 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS/ A-GPS, USB Type-C port, Audio Jack 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS, USB Type-C port, fingerprint sensor, IR Blaster
Sensors Infrared face recognition, Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, gyroscope, proximity sensor, fingerprint, barometer Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Dimensions 156 x 75.5 x 9 mm; weight 186.5 grams 158.7 x 75.4 x 7.3 mm; 166 g
India Price Rs. 20,999 / 23,999 / 28,999

Kevlar back: 29,999/-

Rs 16,999

Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Xiaomi PocoPhone F1: Price In India

Currently, Xiaomi has only announced pricing for the Xioami Mi A2 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant. During the India launch, Xiaomi also teased a 6GB RAM variant but hasn’t revealed its India price yet.

The Poco F1 has a completely different story. The phone comes in four variants starting from Rs 20,999 which is fixed for 6GB RAM with 64GB storage. The Poco F1 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant retails for Rs 23,999 while 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM version is priced at Rs 28,999. Xiaomi has also launched a Poco F1 Armored variant which has Kevlar back and features 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM. This special variant has a retail price of Rs 29,999.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi Mi A2 vs Honor Play – Budget Camera against Budget Flagship

Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Xiaomi Poco Phone F1: Design and Display

Xiaomi Poco F1 Review
Poco F1 design

If there is one area where the Mi A2 dominates the PocoPhone F1 it has to be the design. Between the two phones: the Mi A2 looks and feel more premium with its metal and glass body. Despite the alloy construction, the phone is pretty sleek and weighs just 166 gram.

Mi A2 design

The Android One based phone features a 5.99 inches tall screen on the front with 2.5D Glass on the top. Interestingly, there’s no notch and it should appeal more to all those who just can’t tolerate a cutout display.

As far as Pocophone F1 design is concerned, Xiaomi has cut some corners and has used polycarbonate as prime material for exterior shell. The front is dominated by a 6.18-inch display which has a wide notch on the top. Like Mi A2, Poco F1 too has a 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top. Clearly, between the Poco F1 regular variants and Mi A2, the latter has a more appealing design.

Xiaomi Poco F1 Review
Poco F1 screen

On the display front, both phones feature a similar IPS screen with full HD+ resolution. As for sunlight legibility, the Poco F1 has a slight edge as it’s screen can touch brightness of 500nits whereas the Mi A2 display has an upper cap of 420nits.

Mi A2 Screen

However, the Mi A2 appears to have a comparatively better contrast and colors calibration out-of-the-box. The Pocophone contrast and colors look slightly underwhelming and require slight adjustment from settings. White-balance of both phones tilts more in favor of cold blue tones.

ALSO READ: 15 Honor Play Hidden Features, Tips and Tricks To Know 

Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Poco F1: Performance and Software

Mi A2 app drawer

One thing that’s clear from the start: that Poco F1 is clearly more powerful than any other option available close to Rs 20,000. The phone is seriously overpacked for the price as it rocks a Snapdragon 845 chipset teamed with 6GB RAM and 64GB UFS2.1 storage. The Mi A2, on the other hand, employs Qualcomm’s latest 600-series superstar – SD660 SoC. Currently, Xiaomi is only shipping it in 4GB RAM and 64GB storage option. Considering this, clearly, the Poco F1 comes really on top as far as performance comparison of these two phones is concerned.

If there’s one area where I personally enjoy Mi A2 more than the Poco F1, it has to be its Vanilla software. The Mi A2 is almost stock Android without any unwanted pre-installed apps. The skin is simple to live with. Also, Xiaomi- Google have promised Android P and Android Q updates for Mi A2.

Xiaomi Poco F1 Review
Poco F1 app drawer

The Poco F1 runs a custom MIUI skin layered Android Oreo which also has a few pre-installed bloatware apps. Thankfully, Xiaomi has given the Pocophone its own Poco Launcher which adds app drawer and ability to use third-party icon packs. Apart from that. it’s the same MIUI which we have seen on Redmi Note 5 Pro and Mi Mix 2.

Xiaomi MI A2 vs Poco F1 Camera Comparision

The Poco F1 camera has a marginal advantage over the Mi A2 cameras. The Pocophone gets the same optics setup as the Mi 8 barring optical image stabilization (OIS). It packs 12MP+5MP cameras at the rear. While the primary camera uses a Sony’s IMX363 with 1.4µm pixels and dual pixel phase detection autofocus, the second sensor is sourced from Samsung for depth sensing. The phone also includes a 20MP selfie sensor. Xiaomi Poco F1 Review

The Mi A2, on the other hand, also includes a dual rear camera but configuration is little different. The Mi A2 includes 12MP + 20 MP sensors with 1.25µm and 1.0µm pixel sizes respectively,  PDAF, and f/1.8 aperture. As for Selfie, the Mi A2 gets a 20MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 1.0 µm pixel size.

As for quality, both phones manage to shoot Instagram ready images in daylight, its the low light scenario where thing get little tricky. The Mi A2 Auto HDR mode works better than the Poco Phone F1 in low light.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Review – Noteworthy Workhorse

Mi A2 Camera Samples

Xiaomi Mi A2
Shot with Xioami Mi A2
Xioami Mi A2 selfie

Xiaomi Poco F1 camera samples

Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Poco F1: Battery

Here once again the Poco F1 nudges past the Mi A2. The latter packs a 3010mAh battery while the debutant Pocophone comes with a 4000mAh battery. The Mi A2 in India supports Quick Charge 4.0+ but the company only ships it with a 10W charger. It is the Poco F1 which comes bundled with an 18W charger right out the box.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Vs Poco F1: Is Xiaomi Killing its Android One phone for Pocophone?

Xiaomi is one brand which is known for making bold statements. And the Poco F1 is as bold as it gets.  The biggest reason to side with Mi A2 over Pocophone F1 should be its stock Android software and more premium design. The Mi A2 doesn’t have the best Qualcomm chipset but the Snapdragon 660 is no slouch either. The Mi A2 expereince is largely smooth and flagship grade, even if it can’t match Poco F1.

The two phones are evenly matched when it comes to cameras. The battery backup and audio jack are two major advantages Poco F1 will have over Mi A2.

At the end of the day, Snapdragon 845 is just too tempting to ignore for a price of Rs. 20,000 and perhaps that’s why consumers who value specs will side with F1 in a heartbeat.

As for us, the Poco F1 should be your first choice if you what a flagship-grade hardware and aren’t fastidious about the design of your phone. For all pure android fanatics, the Mi A2 would be a really good buy for Rs 17,000.

What Works In Poco F1 Favor

  • Better Chipset
  • Bigger battery
  • More RAM/storage options
  • Retains Audio Jack
  • Retains MicroSD card slot

What Works In Mi A2 favor

  • Better Design
  • Clean software
  • Promised updates
  • Quick Charge 4.0+ support
Deepak RajawatDeepak Rajawat
Experienced technology journalist with over 7-years of experience. Before embracing online journalism, he has worked with several legacy publications including print editions at Hindustan Times and The Statesman. He also has a keen interest in Sports, which he used to cover with equal enthusiasm in his early career.

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