Gionee's Marathon series is known for its impressive battery life, and the M5 Enjoy and M5 Mini are no exception. But which of these budget-friendly smartphones offers the best value? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Gionee Marathon M5 Mini edges out the Enjoy thanks to its slightly faster processor and reverse charging capability. While both offer excellent battery life, the Mini's added features and marginally better performance make it the preferred choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, December. Released 2015, December | 2016, January. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 155 x 76 x 9 mm (6.10 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 143.5 x 71 x 9.6 mm (5.65 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), Amigo 3.1 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), Amigo 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Yes |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Reverse wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 775 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 52 h | Up to 18 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gold | White, Gold, Black |
| Models | - | M5 mini |
| Price | About 340 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Gionee Marathon M5 enjoy
- Larger Display
- Potentially Larger Battery Capacity
- More RAM (typically 2GB vs 1GB)
- Slower Processor
- Less Efficient
- Bulkier Design
Gionee Marathon M5 mini
- Faster Processor
- Reverse Wired Charging
- More Compact Design
- Generally more efficient
- Smaller Display
- Less RAM (typically 1GB)
- Potentially smaller battery capacity
Display Comparison
The M5 Enjoy boasts a larger 5.5-inch display compared to the M5 Mini's 5.0-inch screen. Both utilize IPS LCD panels, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for their price range. However, the Enjoy's larger size might be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are similar on both devices, typically featuring an 8MP main camera and a 5MP front camera. Image quality is adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but don't expect exceptional results. Low-light performance will be subpar on both.
Performance
The M5 Mini holds a slight advantage here. Its 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 processor is marginally faster than the M5 Enjoy's 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the Mini will generally feel a bit snappier in everyday tasks. Both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones are Marathon series devices, so battery life is a key strength. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on either device. The M5 Enjoy often has a slightly larger battery capacity (typically around 5000mAh), but the M5 Mini's efficiency can sometimes compensate.
Buying Guide
The Gionee Marathon M5 Enjoy is a good choice for users prioritizing a larger screen and slightly more RAM. The Gionee Marathon M5 Mini is ideal for those needing reverse charging, a bit more processing power, and a more compact design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does reverse charging mean on the M5 Mini?
Reverse charging allows the M5 Mini to act as a power bank, charging other devices via a USB cable. This is a handy feature for emergencies.
❓ Are these phones still available?
These phones are older models and may be difficult to find new. You might find them on online marketplaces or through resellers, but availability is limited.
