The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO U5x and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The iQOO U5x focuses on efficiency with its Snapdragon 680, while the Poco M4 Pro aims for more raw power with the Helio G96, alongside faster charging capabilities. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and efficient power usage, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G96 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the iQOO U5x’s 10W charging. While the iQOO U5x is more efficient, the Poco M4 Pro’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 28 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 28 | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 179.5 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Power Black, Cool Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | V2180GA | MZB0B5VIN, 2201117PI, 2201117PG |
| Price | About 140 EUR | € 100.18 |
| SAR | - | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318444 (v9)
GeekBench: 1836 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO U5x
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Likely more affordable price point
- Significantly slower 10W charging
- Less powerful chipset for gaming and demanding apps
- Display likely lacks brightness and color accuracy
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
- Faster 33W charging with PD3.0 and QC3 support
- More powerful Helio G96 chipset for better performance
- Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility
- Less power-efficient Helio G96 chipset
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Poco M4 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 737 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO U5x. This makes the Poco M4 Pro far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for IPS LCDs), the brightness difference is the key differentiator. The iQOO U5x’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a more basic panel, potentially impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both phones rely on budget-friendly sensors. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The iQOO U5x’s camera performance is likely to be adequate for casual snapshots, but the Poco M4 Pro may offer slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset.
Performance
The chipset choice defines the performance profiles of these phones. The Poco M4 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm) features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the iQOO U5x’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm). While the Snapdragon 680 benefits from a more efficient 6nm process, the Helio G96’s core architecture provides superior processing power. The Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores at 2.4 GHz are offset by the Helio G96’s more modern core design. This translates to smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the Poco M4 Pro.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 126 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Poco M4 Pro’s 33W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC3, can fully charge the device in just 58 minutes. In contrast, the iQOO U5x is limited to a slow 10W charge. This difference in charging speed is a significant convenience factor, making the Poco M4 Pro much more forgiving when running low on battery. The Snapdragon 680’s efficiency may slightly offset the slower charging, but the Poco M4 Pro’s faster charging is a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U5x if you prioritize long-term battery life and a consistently smooth experience for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Its Snapdragon 680 is optimized for efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming and demanding apps, and value the convenience of significantly faster 33W charging. The Helio G96 provides a performance boost, albeit at the cost of some efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Poco M4 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G96 is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 680. While the Poco M4 Pro includes thermal management features, extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to some throttling. However, the performance gains over the Snapdragon 680 generally outweigh the potential for moderate thermal throttling.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the iQOO U5x realistically usable in 2024?
10W charging is significantly slower than modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours. While sufficient for overnight charging, it's inconvenient for quick top-ups. This is a major drawback compared to the Poco M4 Pro's 33W charging.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 680's 6nm process affect real-world performance on the iQOO U5x?
The 6nm process contributes to better power efficiency, meaning the iQOO U5x will consume less battery during everyday tasks compared to the Poco M4 Pro. However, the Helio G96's more powerful cores provide a noticeable performance boost when running demanding applications.
