The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC and the Xiaomi Poco M5. Both promise impressive features without breaking the bank, but which one truly reigns supreme?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5 edges out the Infinix Note 10 Pro thanks to its more efficient chipset (Helio G99 vs G95), faster charging, and potentially better overall camera performance. While the Note 10 Pro offers NFC, the Poco M5's superior processing power and battery efficiency make it the slightly better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 12 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 07 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 172.8 x 78.3 x 7.8 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.31 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.09" | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Nordic Secret | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | X695C | 22071219CG |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC
- NFC Connectivity
- Potentially Larger Display
- 33W Fast Charging
- Older Chipset (Helio G95)
- Less Efficient Chipset
- Potentially Weaker Camera
Xiaomi Poco M5
- More Efficient Chipset (Helio G99)
- Faster Performance
- 18W Charging
- Potentially Better Camera
- No NFC
- Slower Charging (18W)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays with excellent contrast ratios (1363:1). However, the Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits, suggesting slightly better outdoor visibility. The Note 10 Pro likely has a slightly larger display, but specific resolution details are needed for a complete comparison. Color accuracy and panel type (AMOLED vs LCD) are crucial factors not explicitly mentioned.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to definitively declare a winner without detailed testing. Both phones are advertised as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities. The Poco M5's newer chipset *could* translate to better image processing. The Note 10 Pro might have a slightly different camera setup (e.g., different megapixel counts or lens types) that could influence results. Low-light performance and video recording quality are key areas to consider.
Performance
The Poco M5 holds a clear advantage here. Its Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) chipset is more modern and efficient than the Note 10 Pro's Helio G95 (12nm). The G99's slightly faster CPU clock speeds (2.2 GHz vs 2.05 GHz for Cortex-A76) and the 6nm manufacturing process contribute to better performance and improved power efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and gaming on the Poco M5.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Poco M5's more efficient chipset should allow it to maintain that battery life for longer under heavy usage. The Note 10 Pro's 33W charging is faster than the Poco M5's 18W, but the Poco M5's better power efficiency might offset this difference.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC is ideal for users prioritizing NFC connectivity and a slightly larger display. The Xiaomi Poco M5 is a better fit for those seeking raw performance, faster charging, and potentially improved camera quality, especially if NFC isn't a must-have.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco M5 have NFC?
No, the Xiaomi Poco M5 does not have NFC connectivity.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco M5 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful and efficient Helio G99 chipset.