Xiaomi 12 Lite vs. Poco F5: A Head-to-Head Showdown

Xiaomi offers a plethora of mid-range smartphones, and the 12 Lite and Poco F5 are two compelling options. Both boast attractive designs and competitive pricing, but cater to slightly different user needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco F5 emerges as the clear winner, offering a significantly faster chipset, brighter display, and quicker charging. While the 12 Lite has a sleek design, the F5's performance and display advancements justify its slight price premium for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi 12 Lite	Xiaomi Poco F5

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2022, July 09	2023, May 09
Status	Available. Released 2022, July 11	Available. Released 2023, May

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 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	173 g (6.10 oz)	181 g (6.38 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)	Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 642L	Adreno 725
OS	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF	-
Triple	108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)	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@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps	1080p@30/60fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	Yes
35mm jack	No	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with dual 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	Yes
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)	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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min
Type	Li-Po 4300 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Lite Green, Lite Pink	Black, Blue, White
Models	2203129G	23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I
Price	€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15	€ 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790
SAR	1.09 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body)	1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)	0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 100h	Endurance rating 118h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.2 LUFS (Very good)	-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Xiaomi 12 Lite

Sleek and stylish design
Good display quality
Fast charging (50% in 13 min)
Smooth everyday performance

Less powerful chipset than Poco F5
Lower max brightness
Slightly slower charging to 100%

Xiaomi Poco F5

Significantly faster chipset (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2)
Brighter display
Faster charging (100% in 46 min)
Excellent value for money

Design might be less premium than 12 Lite
Potential for more aggressive image processing

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 takes a commanding lead in the display department. Its 963 nits max brightness significantly surpasses the 12 Lite's 824 nits, making it much easier to view outdoors. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the F5's higher brightness provides a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience. Both likely use AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates, but the F5's brightness is the key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. The 12 Lite likely focuses on natural color reproduction, while the F5 might offer more vibrant, processed images. Both likely have a main sensor around 108MP, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Low-light performance is likely better on the F5 due to the more powerful processor.

Performance

The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in the Poco F5 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 778G in the 12 Lite. The Gen 2 offers significantly improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The 12 Lite is still capable, but the F5's performance is in a different league.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 demonstrates slightly better endurance, with an endurance rating of 118h compared to the 12 Lite's 100h. While both offer 67W wired charging, the F5 charges noticeably faster, reaching 100% in 46 minutes versus the 12 Lite's 13 minutes for 50%. This faster charging is a significant advantage for the F5.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing a stylish design and a smooth, everyday experience. It's a good choice for those who don't heavily game or demand top-tier performance. The Poco F5 is perfect for gamers, power users, and anyone who values a vibrant display and snappy performance, even if it means a slightly less premium feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?

The Poco F5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset and improved GPU.

❓ Is the Xiaomi 12 Lite worth buying if I don't need top performance?

Yes, the 12 Lite is a good option if you prioritize design and a smooth everyday experience and don't heavily game or require the absolute fastest performance.