The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Pova Neo 2 and Xiaomi Poco M5s are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Pova Neo 2 focuses on providing a solid all-around package, while the Poco M5s emphasizes display quality and faster charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device 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 Pova Neo 2’s Helio G85, and the significantly faster 33W charging is a major convenience. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Poco M5s’ brighter display enhances the overall user experience.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2022, September 26 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 03 | Available. Released 2022, September 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.9 x 77.8 x 9.6 mm (6.73 x 3.06 x 0.38 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 | - | 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 (~83.1% 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, HIOS 8.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera | - |
| Features | Dual-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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (LG6n only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Uranolite Gray, Virtual Blue, Orange Magma | Gray, Blue, White |
| Models | LG6n | 2207117BPG |
| Price | About 240 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) |
Tecno Pova Neo 2
- Potentially more stable software experience (Tecno's HiOS is improving)
- Competitive pricing for the hardware offered
- Decent battery life
- Slower processor compared to the Poco M5s
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Display likely lacks the brightness and vibrancy of the Poco M5s
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Faster and more capable Helio G95 processor
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Xiaomi's MIUI can be resource-intensive
- Potential for more bloatware
- May be slightly more expensive than the Pova Neo 2
Display Comparison
The Poco M5s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 756 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Pova Neo 2. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Poco M5s’ infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests better black levels, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the Pova Neo 2 makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Poco M5s clearly holds an advantage in this area.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer a photo/video experience, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning of the Poco M5s suggests a more refined camera system. The inclusion of features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) – common in Poco devices – would be a significant advantage, but is unconfirmed here. The Pova Neo 2 likely focuses on providing a functional camera experience, while the Poco M5s aims for a more versatile and higher-quality output. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Xiaomi Poco M5s’ Mediatek Helio G95 chipset represents a step up in performance compared to the Tecno Pova Neo 2’s Helio G85. The G95 features a slightly faster CPU configuration – 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores versus 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores – and a more efficient GPU. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the Poco M5s. Both phones utilize a 12nm process, but the architectural improvements in the G95 provide a tangible benefit. While both likely pair their chipsets with similar RAM configurations, the G95’s superior processing power is the key differentiator.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Pova Neo 2 and Xiaomi Poco M5s achieve an endurance rating of 132 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco M5s’ 33W wired charging capability is a game-changer. It can reach 64% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. The Pova Neo 2’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring more time to fully replenish the battery. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova Neo 2 if you prioritize a consistently stable experience and are less concerned with peak performance or rapid charging. It’s a good option for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and light gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you value faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the convenience of significantly quicker charging times. It’s ideal for users who want a more responsive and visually appealing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Poco M5s get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Helio G85 in the Pova Neo 2?
While both chipsets are 12nm, the G95 is more powerful and therefore *may* generate more heat under sustained load. However, Xiaomi's thermal management in the Poco M5s is generally well-regarded, and the phone is unlikely to throttle significantly unless pushed to its absolute limits. The Pova Neo 2, with its less demanding chipset, will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 33W charging make on the Poco M5s compared to the 18W charging on the Pova Neo 2?
The difference is substantial. The Poco M5s can gain 64% charge in 30 minutes, meaning a significant top-up during a short break. The Pova Neo 2’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour – to achieve the same level of charge. This makes the Poco M5s much more convenient for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Are the cameras on either phone capable of recording stable 1080p video at 60fps?
While not explicitly stated, both phones *should* be capable of recording 1080p video at 60fps. However, the Poco M5s, with its potentially more advanced image processing, is likely to produce smoother and more detailed footage. The Pova Neo 2 may struggle with stabilization and dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions.
