Asus ROG Phone 5s vs Xiaomi Poco F5: The Ultimate Gaming Showdown

The mobile gaming landscape is fierce, and two contenders are battling for your attention: the Asus ROG Phone 5s and the Xiaomi Poco F5. Both offer impressive specs at competitive prices, but cater to slightly different audiences. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The ROG Phone 5s delivers raw power with its Snapdragon 888+ and gaming-centric features. However, the Poco F5 offers a brighter display, excellent battery life, and a more balanced overall package at a potentially lower price. For hardcore gamers, the ROG Phone 5s wins; for everyday users wanting a great experience, the Poco F5 is compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 5s Xiaomi Poco F5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 11, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DLHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4-
Launch
Announced2021, August 162023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 26Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight238 g (8.40 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 725
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UIAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)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)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDR-
Single24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)Yes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connectorUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Storm WhiteBlack, Blue, White
ModelsZS676KS23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I
PriceAbout 1030 EUR€ 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 118h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 888+)
  • Fast Charging (65W)
  • Gaming-Specific Features (Cooling, Controls)
  • High Refresh Rate Display (144Hz)

  • Shorter Battery Life (compared to Poco F5)
  • Camera Not as Strong
  • Potentially Higher Price

Xiaomi Poco F5

  • Brighter Display (963 nits)
  • Excellent Battery Life (118h Endurance)
  • Strong Value for Money
  • Capable Performance (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2)

  • Lower Raw Performance than ROG Phone 5s
  • Camera May Not Be Top-Tier
  • Less Gaming-Focused Features

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 boasts a significantly brighter display at 963 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use. Its infinite contrast ratio promises excellent image quality. The ROG Phone 5s has a good display, but lacks the Poco F5's peak brightness. While the ROG Phone 5s has a 144Hz refresh rate, the Poco F5's 120Hz is still very smooth.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a key area where detailed comparisons are needed. While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Poco F5 likely has an advantage in image processing and overall camera quality due to the newer Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. The ROG Phone 5s camera is decent, but not a standout feature.

Performance

The ROG Phone 5s' Snapdragon 888+ provides a noticeable performance edge, especially in demanding games. The Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is still very capable, but doesn't quite match the ROG Phone 5s' raw horsepower. Expect smoother frame rates and faster load times on the ROG Phone 5s.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 shines in battery life, with an impressive endurance rating of 118h and active use lasting 11:52h. The ROG Phone 5s offers fast 65W charging, but its battery life is likely shorter than the Poco F5's.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s? Serious mobile gamers who prioritize performance above all else and appreciate dedicated gaming features like advanced cooling and customizable controls. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F5? Users seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a vibrant display, long battery life, and strong performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming, all at a great value.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for heavy gaming?
The Asus ROG Phone 5s is the better choice for demanding mobile games due to its more powerful processor and dedicated gaming features.
❓ Is the Poco F5 a good all-around phone?
Yes, the Poco F5 offers a great balance of performance, battery life, and display quality, making it a solid all-around smartphone.