The smartphone landscape is increasingly segmented, with options ranging from ultra-premium flagships to aggressively priced contenders. We're pitting the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro, a former flagship now offering exceptional value, against the HMD Pulse 2 Pro, a newer device focused on delivering a solid experience at an even lower price point. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a significant leap in processing power compared to the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s Unisoc T615. However, the HMD Pulse 2 Pro provides a respectable experience for everyday tasks and represents excellent value for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 01 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~384 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 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) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Green, Dark Blue | Black, White |
| Models | - | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HMD Pulse 2 Pro
- Excellent Value for Money
- Decent Battery Life
- Reliable for Basic Tasks
- Underpowered Processor
- Slow Charging Speed
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Flagship-Level Performance
- Extremely Fast Charging (67W Wired, 30W Wireless)
- Bright and Vibrant Display
- Potentially Higher Price
- May Not Offer Significant Improvements for Basic Users
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1059 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls considerably short of this brightness level. The Poco F5 Pro’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a VA-type panel, offering deeper blacks, while the HMD Pulse 2 Pro likely utilizes an IPS panel. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means neither offers adaptive refresh rates for power saving.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the HMD Pulse 2 Pro. The Poco F5 Pro’s camera system, while not detailed here, benefits from the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor). This allows for faster image processing, improved low-light performance, and advanced features like 8K video recording (likely). Without knowing the sensor size or aperture of the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s camera, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities, but it’s unlikely to match the Poco F5 Pro’s potential.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-level processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a high-clocked Cortex-X2 prime core for peak performance. This contrasts sharply with the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s Unisoc T615 (12nm), which utilizes older Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides superior power efficiency and thermal management, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. The Poco F5 Pro will handle demanding games and applications with ease, while the Pulse 2 Pro will likely struggle with graphically intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the HMD Pulse 2 Pro’s unspecified battery capacity. However, the charging capabilities are vastly different. The Poco F5 Pro supports 67W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 15 minutes, and even offers 30W wireless charging. The HMD Pulse 2 Pro is limited to 20W wired charging, resulting in a significantly slower charging experience. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for the Poco F5 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Pulse 2 Pro if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication, and prioritize affordability above all else. You'll appreciate its simplicity and reasonable battery life. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you demand smooth multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value rapid charging capabilities. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 ensures a fluid and responsive experience, even with demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T615 in the HMD Pulse 2 Pro sufficient for playing games like Call of Duty Mobile?
While the HMD Pulse 2 Pro can run Call of Duty Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense gameplay. The Unisoc T615 is not designed for demanding gaming experiences, and the Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a far smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro compared to the 20W charging on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro in a real-world scenario?
The 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro can add approximately 50% charge in just 15 minutes, while the 20W charging on the HMD Pulse 2 Pro will take significantly longer – likely over an hour to achieve the same level of charge. This difference is substantial and provides a significant convenience advantage for the Poco F5 Pro.
❓ Does the Poco F5 Pro get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known for its relatively efficient thermal management. While some heat generation is inevitable during extended gaming, the 4nm fabrication process and Xiaomi’s cooling solutions typically prevent significant throttling. However, sustained performance will still be impacted by heat over very long periods.
