Xiaomi Mi 4s vs Mi 5s: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Xiaomi's Mi series has consistently offered impressive value for money. The Mi 4s and Mi 5s, released in quick succession, both aimed to deliver flagship features at competitive prices. But which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Mi 5s edges out the Mi 4s thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 821 chipset, improved display brightness, and slightly better battery life. While both offer excellent value, the Mi 5s represents a noticeable upgrade in performance and overall user experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Mi 4s	Xiaomi Mi 5s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/150 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
	TD-SCDMA	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2016, February. Released 2016, March	2016, September. Released 2016, October
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	-	Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	139.3 x 70.8 x 7.8 mm (5.48 x 2.79 x 0.31 in)	145.6 x 70.3 x 8.3 mm (5.73 x 2.77 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	133 g (4.69 oz)	145 g (5.11 oz)

Display
Protection	-	To be confirmed
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)	1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)
Size	5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.9% screen-to-body ratio)	5.15 inches, 73.1 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD
	-	3D Touch display (128 GB, 4 GB RAM model)

Platform
CPU	Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57)	Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo)
Chipset	Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm)	Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm)
GPU	Adreno 418	Adreno 530
OS	Android 5.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 10	Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 10

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	64GB 3GB RAM	64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
	eMMC 5.0	-

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama
Single	13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF	12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, PDAF
Triple	-	16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video	1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	5 MP, f/2.0	4 MP, f/2.0, 1/3", 2µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.1, A2DP	4.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C	USB Type-C
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	18W wired, QC2, 40% in 60 min	18W wired, QC3
Type	Li-Ion 3260 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable

Misc
Colors	Black, White, Gold, Pink	Silver, Gray, Gold, Rose Gold
Models	-	2015711
Price	About 220 EUR	About 250 EUR
SAR	-	0.77 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body)

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -94.9dB / Crosstalk -82.6dB	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB
Battery life	Endurance rating 75h	Endurance rating 84h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 975:1 (nominal), 2.095 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 1294:1 (nominal), 3.276 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 73dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 82dB	Voice 64dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 84dB
Performance	Basemark OS II 2.0: 1545Basemark X: 12990	Basemark OS II 2.0: 2378Basemark X: 36240

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -94.9dB / Crosstalk -82.6dB	Noise -89.6dB / Crosstalk -85.5dB
Battery (old)	Endurance rating 75h	Endurance rating 84h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 975:1 (nominal), 2.095 (sunlight)	Contrast ratio: 1294:1 (nominal), 3.276 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker	Voice 73dB / Noise 68dB / Ring 82dB	Voice 64dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 84dB
Performance	Basemark OS II 2.0: 1545Basemark X: 12990	Basemark OS II 2.0: 2378Basemark X: 36240

Xiaomi Mi 4s

Excellent battery life
Good value for money
Decent performance for the price
Solid build quality

Older chipset
Less bright display
Camera not as good as competitors
Slower performance compared to Mi 5s

Xiaomi Mi 5s

Faster performance (Snapdragon 821)
Brighter and more vibrant display
Slightly better camera
More modern design

Slightly shorter battery life than Mi 4s
Can be slightly more expensive
Still an older device

Display Comparison

The Mi 5s boasts a significantly better display with a contrast ratio of 1294:1 compared to the Mi 4s's 975:1. Sunlight readability is also improved, with a 3.276 rating for the Mi 5s versus 2.095 for the Mi 4s. Both phones feature similar screen sizes and resolutions, but the Mi 5s offers a noticeably more vibrant and readable experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer decent camera performance, the Mi 5s generally produces slightly better images, particularly in low light. The Mi 5s also benefits from improved image processing algorithms. Both phones can record video in 1080p, but the Mi 5s may offer slightly better stabilization.

Performance

The Snapdragon 821 in the Mi 5s is a clear winner here. Its Kryo cores provide a substantial performance boost over the Mi 4s's Snapdragon 808. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Mi 5s. The Mi 4s is still capable, but the Mi 5s feels more responsive and future-proof.

Battery Life

The Mi 5s has a slightly better endurance rating (84h) compared to the Mi 4s (75h). While the difference isn't massive, it suggests the Mi 5s's more efficient chipset contributes to slightly longer battery life. Both phones support 18W fast charging, allowing for a 40% charge in approximately 60 minutes.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Mi 4s is a good choice for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and don't need the absolute latest performance. The Mi 5s is ideal for those seeking a smoother, faster experience, a brighter display, and a more modern chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller battery.