The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12i and Xiaomi Poco M5s are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Poco M5s boasts a brighter display and a more powerful chipset, while the Note 12i focuses on providing a balanced package. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5s emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Note 12i’s Helio G85, and the brighter 756-nit display enhances outdoor visibility. While both offer 33W charging and similar battery endurance, the Poco M5s’ overall refinement makes it a more compelling option.
| 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 | 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, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 11 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 11 | Available. Released 2022, September 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.7 x 77.4 x 8.3 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Force Black, Snowfall | Gray, Blue, White |
| Models | X6819 | 2207117BPG |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 132h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Note 12i
- Potentially lower price point
- Balanced feature set for basic users
- 33W fast charging
- Less powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Likely dimmer display
- Limited camera details
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- More powerful Helio G95 chipset
- Brighter 756-nit display
- Faster charging (64% in 30 mins)
- Slightly higher price
- 2MP macro camera is largely unnecessary
- No high refresh rate display
Display Comparison
The Poco M5s significantly outshines the Infinix Note 12i in display quality. With a measured peak brightness of 756 nits, the Poco M5s offers excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a crucial advantage for outdoor users. While both phones lack high refresh rate panels, the Poco’s superior brightness and infinite (nominal) contrast ratio contribute to a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The Note 12i’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a more standard LCD panel that will likely struggle in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Poco M5s’ brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. It’s reasonable to assume the Poco M5s will deliver more consistent and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical value due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Poco M5s utilizes the Mediatek Helio G95, featuring a dual-core CPU configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a step up from the Infinix Note 12i’s Helio G85, which has 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The G95’s slightly faster Cortex-A76 cores translate to improved CPU performance, particularly in demanding applications and games. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G95 provide a tangible benefit for users who prioritize responsiveness and gaming.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Note 12i and the Xiaomi Poco M5s share an endurance rating of 132 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. Both also support 33W wired charging, with the Poco M5s achieving 64% charge in 30 minutes. This suggests comparable charging speeds. The actual battery capacity of the Note 12i is not specified, but the similar endurance rating implies a comparable mAh size to the Poco M5s. The 33W charging is adequate for quickly topping up the battery, but it’s not class-leading in the current smartphone landscape.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Note 12i if you prioritize a consistently affordable price point and are a very casual user who primarily needs a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you enjoy mobile gaming, frequently consume media outdoors, or simply want a more responsive and feature-rich experience for a minimal price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Poco M5s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G95 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Helio G85 found in the Infinix Note 12i.
❓ Is the 33W charging on both phones fast enough for daily use?
Yes, 33W charging is sufficient for quickly topping up the battery. The Poco M5s can reach 64% charge in 30 minutes, which is convenient for users who need a quick boost before heading out. Both phones offer adequate charging speeds for typical daily usage.
❓ How does the Poco M5s' display perform in direct sunlight?
The Poco M5s' 756-nit peak brightness makes it exceptionally visible in direct sunlight. You'll be able to comfortably view content and navigate the interface even on bright, sunny days, unlike many other phones in this price range.
❓ Are there any significant differences in the software experience between the two phones?
The Infinix Note 12i typically runs XOS, while the Poco M5s runs MIUI, both based on Android. MIUI is generally considered more feature-rich and polished, but also includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware). XOS is lighter but may lack some of the advanced customization options found in MIUI.
