The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. The Poco C55 and Poco M5 are two popular contenders, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5 emerges as the stronger contender thanks to its more powerful Helio G99 chipset, faster charging (18W vs 10W), and slightly better overall performance. While the C55 is a decent budget option, the M5 offers a more premium experience for a small price difference.
| 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, February 21 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 28 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), eco leather back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda 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 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 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, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | Cool Blue, Power Black, Forest Green | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | 22127PC95I | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.77 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 C55
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Slower chipset
- Slow charging (10W)
- Less powerful camera
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Faster chipset (Helio G99)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Slightly better camera performance
- Good battery life
- Slightly more expensive than C55
- Display brightness could be better
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar 6.71-inch display with a 1363:1 contrast ratio. However, the Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits, which provides slightly better visibility in bright sunlight compared to the C55. While both offer a decent viewing experience, the M5 has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Poco M5 generally receives slightly better reviews for its camera performance. The G99 chipset often allows for better image processing. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are not provided, but user reviews suggest the M5 produces more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely similar on both.
Performance
The Poco M5's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset (6nm) significantly outperforms the Poco C55's Helio G85 (12nm). The G99's Cortex-A76 cores offer a noticeable boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance. The C55 is adequate for everyday tasks, but the M5 is the clear winner for performance-intensive activities.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Poco M5's 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the C55's 10W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco C55? It's ideal for users prioritizing a very budget-friendly device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M5? It's perfect for those seeking a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C55 good for gaming?
The Poco C55 can handle basic games, but it may struggle with more demanding titles. The Poco M5 is a better choice for gamers due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Poco C55 takes longer to fully charge due to its 10W charging. The Poco M5 charges faster with its 18W charging.
