Xiaomi 12 vs Xiaomi Poco F5: The Ultimate Showdown

Xiaomi offers a diverse range of smartphones, and the Xiaomi 12 and Poco F5 are two compelling options. Both pack impressive features, but cater to slightly different users. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best fits your budget and priorities.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco F5 emerges as the stronger contender, offering superior battery life and a brighter display at a more attractive price point. While the Xiaomi 12 boasts the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 provides excellent performance for the cost, making it a better overall value.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi 12 Xiaomi Poco F5
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, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China-
Launch
Announced2021, December 282023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 31Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions152.7 x 69.9 x 8.2 mm (6.01 x 2.75 x 0.32 in)161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight179 g or 180 g (6.31 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~419 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.28 inches, 95.2 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1100 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 725
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF64 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)
Video8K@24fps (HDR), 4K@30/60fps (HDR10+), 1080p@30/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panorama-
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 or 6e (market dependent), dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Virtual Proximity Sensing-
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 39 min 50W wireless, 100% in 53 min 10W reverse wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, Purple, GreenBlack, Blue, White
Models2201123G, 2201123C23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I
Price$ 284.99 / € 149.99€ 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     0.91 W/kg (body)1.09 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 82h Endurance rating 118h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.3 LUFS (Very good) -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 985115 (v9) GeekBench: 3652 (v5.1) GFXBench: 75fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Xiaomi 12

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
  • Slightly better camera processing (potentially)
  • Premium build quality

  • Higher price
  • Shorter battery life
  • Can run hotter under load

Xiaomi Poco F5

  • Excellent value for money
  • Brighter display
  • Outstanding battery life
  • Smooth performance

  • Less powerful chipset than Xiaomi 12
  • Potentially less premium build materials

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 takes the lead here with a measured peak brightness of 963 nits compared to the Xiaomi 12's 896 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Poco F5's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both utilize AMOLED panels, promising vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, the Xiaomi 12's flagship chipset allows for slightly better image processing and video recording capabilities, but the Poco F5's camera is no slouch and offers excellent value.

Performance

The Xiaomi 12's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is technically more powerful on paper. However, the Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is remarkably efficient and delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. While the 12 might edge out in demanding scenarios, the difference is often negligible for most users.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 118h compared to the Xiaomi 12's 82h. This translates to significantly longer usage times on a single charge, making the Poco F5 a clear winner for those who prioritize longevity.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi 12 is ideal for users who prioritize raw processing power and are willing to pay a premium for a flagship experience. The Poco F5 is perfect for budget-conscious buyers who want a fast, feature-rich phone with excellent battery life and a vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xiaomi 12 worth the extra cost?
It depends on your usage. For demanding tasks like heavy gaming or video editing, the 8 Gen 1 offers a noticeable advantage. However, for everyday use, the Poco F5's 7+ Gen 2 is more than capable.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both Xiaomi and Poco utilize MIUI, but Poco devices sometimes receive updates slightly later. Xiaomi generally provides longer software support for its flagship devices.