Umidigi F3 SE vs Xiaomi Poco M5s: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi F3 SE and Xiaomi Poco M5s both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The F3 SE focuses on a streamlined experience with a Unisoc chipset, while the Poco M5s leverages a MediaTek Helio G95 for a performance boost and faster charging.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is the better choice. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi F3 SE’s Unisoc T610, and the 33W charging is a game-changer compared to the F3 SE’s slow 10W charging. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the Poco M5s’ faster charging mitigates any potential range anxiety.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi F3 SE Xiaomi Poco M5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced20222022, September 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, September 06
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)178.8 g (6.31 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T610 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP2Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 11Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired, 64% in 30 min
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsHawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy BlueGray, Blue, White
Models-2207117BPG
Price-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)

Umidigi F3 SE

  • Potentially simpler software experience
  • Lower price point (likely)
  • Decent battery endurance

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Extremely slow 10W charging
  • Less capable camera system

Xiaomi Poco M5s

  • Faster and more responsive performance
  • Significantly faster 33W charging
  • Likely better camera image quality

  • Potentially more bloatware
  • Slightly higher price (likely)

Display Comparison

The Poco M5s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 756 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Umidigi F3 SE. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are likely LCD panels given the price point, the Poco M5s’ infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a more vibrant image. Bezels are likely comparable on both devices, as manufacturers in this segment often prioritize cost savings over ultra-thin bezels.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. The Poco M5s likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally offers better image processing than Unisoc’s offerings at this price point. Without specific sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Poco M5s’ camera system is likely more versatile and capable of producing higher-quality images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of OIS on the Poco M5s would be a significant advantage, but is unconfirmed.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M5s’ MediaTek Helio G95, with its 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Umidigi F3 SE’s Unisoc T610, which features 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. The Cortex-A76 is a more modern and efficient architecture, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the G95’s GPU is also more powerful, making it the better choice for mobile gaming. The Poco M5s is likely paired with faster RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both phones have an endurance rating of 132 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Poco M5s’ 33W wired charging is a massive advantage. It can reach 64% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Umidigi F3 SE is limited to a slow 10W charge. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts the user experience, reducing downtime and making it easier to top up the battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi F3 SE if you prioritize simplicity and a minimal software experience, and are willing to sacrifice performance and charging speed. It’s a good option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you want a more responsive device for gaming, multitasking, and content consumption, and value the convenience of significantly faster charging. It’s the better all-rounder for most users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Helio G95 in the Poco M5s capable of running demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G95 is a capable gaming chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The Umidigi F3 SE’s Unisoc T610 will struggle with these titles, requiring significantly lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Umidigi F3 SE with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% on the Umidigi F3 SE will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4. This is a significant drawback compared to the Poco M5s, which can reach 64% in just 30 minutes. If you frequently find yourself needing to quickly top up your phone, the F3 SE’s charging speed will be a major inconvenience.
❓ Does the Poco M5s have any noticeable software bloatware?
Xiaomi phones are known for including some pre-installed apps (bloatware). While the amount has decreased in recent years, you can expect to find some additional apps beyond the core Android experience. However, many of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled, allowing you to customize the software to your preferences.