The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C53 and Xiaomi Poco M5 are two strong contenders. The C53 aims to deliver fast charging and a modern design, while the Poco M5 focuses on a more established chipset and all-day battery life. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C53’s Unisoc Tiger T612, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the C53 boasts faster 33W charging, the Poco M5’s endurance rating and overall efficiency make it a more practical daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 31 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 31 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.30 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T | 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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, 50% in 31 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Champion Gold, Mighty Black | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | RMX3760 | 22071219CG |
| Price | € 134.99 / $ 99.15 / £ 126.54 | 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) |
Realme C53
- 33W Fast Charging: Significantly faster top-up times.
- Modern Design: Likely features a more contemporary aesthetic.
- Competitive Price: Aims to undercut the competition.
- Less Powerful Chipset: Unisoc T612 lags behind the Helio G99.
- Lower Performance: Struggles with demanding tasks and gaming.
- Limited Brightness Data: Display performance is uncertain.
Xiaomi Poco M5
- More Powerful Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 offers superior performance.
- Better Efficiency: 6nm process improves battery life and thermal management.
- Brighter Display: 448 nits peak brightness enhances outdoor visibility.
- Slower Charging: 18W charging is less convenient than 33W.
- Basic Camera System: Likely lacks advanced features and image quality.
- Design may feel dated
Display Comparison
Both the Realme C53 and Poco M5 feature displays with a 1363:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Poco M5’s measured peak brightness of 448 nits gives it a clear advantage in outdoor visibility. While neither display is exceptional, the Poco M5’s slightly brighter panel makes it more usable in direct sunlight. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs. LCD) and color gamut coverage are missing, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The Realme C53 lacks any published brightness data, making direct comparison difficult.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size, aperture information, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is difficult. It’s safe to assume both phones will perform adequately in well-lit conditions, but struggle in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. The Poco M5’s camera system is likely to be more refined due to Xiaomi’s established camera software algorithms, but this remains speculative without further data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M5’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Realme C53’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The G99’s CPU features 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the T612’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This translates to a roughly 15-20% performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks for the Poco M5. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the G99’s superior architecture will provide a smoother overall experience.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme C53 compensates with significantly faster 33W wired charging, claiming a 50% charge in just 31 minutes. The Poco M5 is limited to 18W charging, resulting in a slower top-up time. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize quick charging over absolute battery capacity. The efficiency of the Helio G99 in the Poco M5 also contributes to its impressive endurance, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C53 if you prioritize extremely fast charging and a sleek aesthetic, and are willing to compromise on raw processing power. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5 if you value sustained performance, longer battery life, and a more proven chipset. This phone is best suited for users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco M5’s Helio G99 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significant improvement over the Realme C53’s Unisoc T612, offering a smoother and more consistent experience.
❓ How much faster is the Realme C53’s 33W charging in real-world use compared to the Poco M5’s 18W?
The Realme C53’s 33W charging can add approximately 50% battery in 31 minutes. The Poco M5’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same level. This makes the C53 ideal for users who need a quick power boost throughout the day.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Unisoc T612 and Helio G99 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both phones can handle basic tasks, the Helio G99 in the Poco M5 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking, switching between apps, and scrolling through content. The T612 may exhibit occasional lag or stuttering under heavier loads.
❓ Does the Poco M5 support any form of fast charging protocols beyond 18W?
The Poco M5 supports Quick Charge 3.0, but it's limited to 18W. Using a higher wattage charger won't necessarily result in faster charging speeds due to the phone's internal limitations.
