Pocophone F1 camera almost as good as iPhone 8's

Image-quality rating site DxOMark has finally reviewed the Pocophone F1. And the verdict might not be what Apple fanboys want to hear.

Launched in August 2018 under Xiaomi’s sub-brand Poco, the smartphone snagged a total score of 91, with 92 for photo and 90 for video. The Apple iPhone 8, on the other hand, got 92, with 93 for photo and 90 for video.

That’s a difference of only one point. That’s significant, considering that the particular iPhone model became available in the Philippines at launch for at least P44,990 (around $859). The base model is currently priced at P39,490 ($754), a little over a year after its release. However, you have to remember that the Pocophone F1 is selling for as low as P17,990 ($344).

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 camera score on DxOMark via Revu Philippines — *Breakdown of Xiaomi Pocophone F1’s score on DxOMark*

Apple iPhone 8 camera score on DxOMark via Revu Philippines — *Breakdown of Apple iPhone 8’s score on DxOMark*

Apples and oranges, yes, because they’re going after different markets, after all. Plus, they’re on different platforms. But if your top consideration when buying a phone is the camera system and you don’t have that much cash to spare, then this finding can make a huge difference.

Too bad we weren’t able to review the iPhone 8; we only bought the Apple iPhone X. But we can confirm that while the Pocophone F1’s main draw is still its Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, the sensors are nothing to be sniffed at. As we said in our review of our pick for “Revü Awards 2018: Best Value-for-Money Smartphone of the Year” award, “For the price, we can’t ask for a faster, more satisfying product than what the company has put in front of us.”

Xiaomi Pocophone F1 (Poco F1) specs

6.18-inch LCD display, 2,246 x 1,080 resolution (18.7:9)
LiquidCool Technology cooling system
Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor
6GB/8GB RAM
64GB/128GB/256GB expandable memory
Dual 12- and 5-megapixel rear cameras with LED flash
20-megapixel front camera
Fingerprint reader (rear-mounted)
4,000mAh battery
MIUI 9.6 based on Android 8.1 Oreo

Apple iPhone 8 specs

4.7-inch Retina HD display, 1,334 x 750-pixel resolution, 326ppi, 16:9, True Tone
Apple A11 Bionic chip
2GB RAM
64GB/256GB expandable storage
12-megapixel rear camera
7-megapixel front camera
Fingerprint reader (front-mounted)
Non-removable Li-Ion 1,821mAh battery
iOS 11

Learn About This Author

Alora Uy Guerrero

Editor-in-chief: Alora Uy Guerrero has 22 years of experience as an editor for print and digital publications such as Yahoo. She took time off journalism to manage OPPO’s digital-marketing campaigns. When not busy with her babies, she’s working on Revü, a passion project — or probably traveling or obsessing over her favorite bands, movies, TV shows, and basketball teams.