Xiaomi's Poco sub-brand consistently delivers value, but navigating their extensive lineup can be tricky. We're pitting the ultra-budget Poco C50 against the slightly more ambitious Poco M5 to determine which offers the best experience for your money. This comparison focuses on the core differences in performance, display quality, and battery life, helping you decide if the extra investment in the M5 is worthwhile.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco M5 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the C50's Helio A22, making it suitable for more than just basic tasks. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the M5's faster 18W charging is a significant convenience. The C50 remains a viable option only for those on the absolute tightest budget.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 | 2023, January 03 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | Dust & splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0 | 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 |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Country Green, Royal Blue | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | MZB0D3DIN, 220733SPI, 220733SPH | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 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 C50
- Ultra-affordable price point
- Decent battery endurance for basic use
- Functional for essential communication
- Very limited performance
- Low-quality display
- Slow charging speed
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Significantly faster performance
- Brighter and more usable display
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly higher price
- Camera details are limited
- Still a budget-focused device
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a noticeably brighter display, reaching 448 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the C50. While both share a 1363:1 contrast ratio, the M5’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The C50’s display specifications are minimal, suggesting a lower-quality panel likely with narrower viewing angles. The M5’s improved brightness is a significant advantage for media consumption and general usability in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for both. Given the price points, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the M5’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G99 chipset will likely result in better noise reduction and dynamic range, particularly in low-light scenarios. The absence of details regarding sensor size and aperture makes a precise comparison impossible, but the M5’s superior processing power gives it an edge.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Poco M5’s Mediatek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, features an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) offering significantly more processing power than the Poco C50’s quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and Helio A22 (12nm). The G99’s architecture, with its Cortex-A76 cores, provides a much faster single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The C50 is limited to basic tasks, while the M5 can handle moderate gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Poco C50 and M5 achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the M5’s more powerful processor. This indicates efficient power management on both devices. However, the M5’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the C50’s 10W charging. The faster charging speed significantly reduces the time required to replenish the battery, offering greater convenience for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C50 if you need a functional smartphone for essential communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and your budget is under $100. It's a reliable backup device or a first smartphone for someone with minimal needs. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5 if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and a more responsive user experience. The M5 is ideal for users who want a phone that can handle everyday tasks without frustrating lag, and appreciate faster charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C50 suitable for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
No, the Poco C50's Helio A22 chipset and limited processing power are not sufficient for a smooth gaming experience in PUBG Mobile or similar titles. You'll likely encounter significant lag and low frame rates. It's best suited for casual games with minimal graphical requirements.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Poco M5 from 0% to 100%?
With its 18W charging support, the Poco M5 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably faster than the Poco C50's 10W charging, which would take significantly longer.
❓ Does the Poco M5 support dual-SIM functionality?
While not explicitly stated in the provided specs, Xiaomi Poco devices generally support dual-SIM functionality. It's highly likely the Poco M5 also supports dual-SIM, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
❓ What type of storage does the Poco C50 use, and is it expandable?
The Poco C50 likely uses eMMC storage, which is common in this price range. It also features a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing you to increase the internal storage capacity to accommodate more photos, videos, and apps.
