The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Neo5 SE and Xiaomi Poco F5 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer impressive specs at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco F5 edges out the iQOO Neo5 SE thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and the more modern Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset. While the Neo5 SE boasts the Snapdragon 870, the Poco F5's overall package provides a slightly more refined and future-proof 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 20 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 29 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, 650 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Aurora | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | V2157A | 23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
vivo iQOO Neo5 SE
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Good value for money
- Decent gaming performance
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster 67W charging
- Modern Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Camera performance may not be top-tier
- Design might not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 takes a clear lead in the display department. Its 963 nits peak brightness is significantly higher than the Neo5 SE, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While both have excellent contrast ratios, the Poco F5's display feels more premium. The Neo5 SE's display is still good, but lacks the same punch.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is subjective and requires more in-depth testing. Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the Poco F5 likely has a slight advantage due to the newer image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. Expect good photo and video quality from both, but the Poco F5 might offer slightly better dynamic range and low-light performance.
Performance
The iQOO Neo5 SE's Snapdragon 870 is a proven performer, offering excellent gaming capabilities. However, the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides comparable performance with improved power efficiency. While the 870 might have a slight edge in some demanding games, the 7+ Gen 2 offers a more balanced experience for everyday tasks and future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Poco F5 shines with its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 118 hours. The iQOO Neo5 SE's battery life is also respectable, but doesn't quite match the Poco F5's longevity. Furthermore, the Poco F5's 67W charging is significantly faster than the Neo5 SE's 55W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Neo5 SE is ideal for gamers on a budget who prioritize raw processing power and don't mind slightly older technology. The Xiaomi Poco F5 is a better choice for users who value a vibrant display, faster charging, and a more modern chipset for smoother multitasking and future software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO Neo5 SE's Snapdragon 870 is still a capable gaming chipset, but the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 offers comparable performance with better efficiency, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the charging speed compare?
The Xiaomi Poco F5 charges significantly faster with its 67W wired charging, reaching 100% in approximately 46 minutes, compared to the iQOO Neo5 SE's 55W charging.
