The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Poco C40 and the Poco M5. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key differences to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5 emerges as the clear winner. While the C40 boasts a massive battery, the M5's significantly more powerful chipset, better display, and improved camera performance make it the superior choice for most users seeking a reliable and affordable smartphone.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 06 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 17 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | Dust & splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | JLQ JR510 (11 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Coral Green, Poco Yellow | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | 220333QPG | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco C40
- Exceptional battery life
- Large display
- Affordable price
- Weak performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Better display brightness
- Improved camera performance
- Smooth user experience
- Slightly less battery life than C40 (negligible difference)
- Charging speed could be faster
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 features a noticeably better display. While both offer a high contrast ratio (1363:1), the M5's 448 nits of peak brightness provides better visibility in sunlight. The C40's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and clarity of the M5.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Poco M5's camera system is generally superior. The G99 chipset allows for better image processing, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The C40's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but struggles in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Poco M5's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the C40's JLQ JR510 (11nm). The G99's Cortex-A76 cores deliver considerably faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother app launches, better gaming performance, and improved overall responsiveness. The C40 feels noticeably sluggish in comparison.
Battery Life
Both devices share an impressive endurance rating of 121h, indicating exceptional battery life. While the C40 might have a slightly larger physical battery, the M5's more efficient chipset allows it to achieve comparable battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Poco C40 is ideal for users prioritizing extreme battery life above all else and who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing. The Poco M5 is better suited for those who want a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and capturing better photos and videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C40 good for gaming?
The Poco C40's chipset is not well-suited for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Poco M5 offers a much better gaming experience.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones run Xiaomi's MIUI, but the Poco M5, being a newer model, is likely to receive software updates and security patches for a longer period.
