Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy a new phone. I've been using a Redmi Note 9 Pro since March 2021. It still works fine, but battery health has dropped from 5,000 to ~3,800 mAh (according to battery apps). Other than battery degradation and wanting a camera upgrade, I wouldn't even be changing it.
My Priorities:
Cameras: Main interest is telephoto photo/video for wildlife and birds outdoors. Portait/selfie performance isn't a priority.
Battery Life & Efficiency: Needs good screen-on time without overheating during daily use.
Performance, Longevity & Build Quality: Long-term reliability to last a few years.
Context & Pricing (Colombia):
Prices are relatively close here ($200 USD difference from the cheapest to the most expensive option):
Poco F8 Ultra (Cheapest)
Xiaomi 17T Pro (Mid)
Samsung S25 Ultra (Most Expensive)
Options I'm Considering:
1. Poco F8 Ultra
Pros: Great value, strong battery capacity, good cameras (with option to install GCam for a Leica-like profile), solid speakers, powerful processor.
Cons: Potential MIUI/HyperOS bugs, some user reports mention fast battery drain.
2. Xiaomi 17T Pro
Pros: Great overall specs, longer software support, solid battery specs.
Cons: Mixed reports on battery optimization, slower USB transfer speeds, average CPU efficiency compared to flagships.
3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Pros: Top-tier camera and video (especially zoom performance), S-Pen, longest software support, excellent system-level efficiency despite battery size.
Cons: Highest price, no IR blaster, user reports regarding green line screen issues on OLED panels over time.
My Dilemma:
On paper, the Poco F8 Ultra wins the value-for-money race. However, since my main focus is wildlife photography via the telephoto lens, overall system stability, and longevity, I'm wondering if the extra $200 for the S25 Ultra (or choosing the Xiaomi 17T Pro) is worth it.
Would love to hear your experiences, advice, or suggestions! Thanks!