Xiaomi Poco F1 first impressions – same specs as a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 at one-third of the price

As cutting edge as Korean giant’s flagship handset, with a longer battery life, and swiping gesture navigations that eliminate software buttons, the Poco F1 starts at just over US$300, compared to over US$1,000 for the Samsung handset

3-MIN READ3-MIN

The Poco F1 has a 5.99-inch LCD display, and has all the hardware specs of the much more expensive Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Photo: Ben Sin

Published: 8:45am, 18 Sep 2018Updated: 8:58am, 18 Sep 2018

Want to know how cutthroat the Android landscape is? Samsung recently launched its Galaxy Note 9 flagship handset, its headline features the 4,000 mAh battery, Snapdragon 845 processor with up to 8GB of RAM, and liquid-cooled interior to stop it getting hot during heavy use.

Less than two weeks later Xiaomi launched a new sub-brand named Poco, and its debut phone, the F1, matched the Note 9’s specs. Yet Samsung charges between US$1,000 and US$1,200 for its Note 9. The Poco F1? Prices start at just a bit over US$300.

Design and hardware

When it comes to the F1’s looks and design, the phrase “no frills” comes to mind. It does not look especially bad, just uninspired and plain. Its carbon graphite back feels very plasticky, and the face of the phone has a sizeable notch even though the phone lacks an intricate face scanning system, and its chin bezel is large by 2018 standards. In between is a thin aluminium railing that feels weirdly lightweight. The in-hand feel is comfortable, thanks to the rounded corners and manageable 5.99-inch LCD screen size, but definitely not premium.

The Poco F1 has a carbon graphite back that feels plasticky and cheap, but it does offer grip. Photo: Ben Sin

Yet, considering the F1’s price point and what it offers inside, only irrationally demanding consumers would take issue with its body. Sure, the F1 may not be as visually pleasing as the Vivo V11, with its edge-to-edge display and small notch, but its Snapdragon 845 processor is significantly more powerful than the V11’s 660 – and the handset is slightly cheaper too.