The Xiaomi Poco series is known for delivering impressive features at budget-friendly prices. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Poco M2 Reloaded and the newer Poco M4 Pro. Which one offers the best bang for your buck?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M4 Pro is the clear winner. While the M2 Reloaded is a decent budget option, the M4 Pro boasts a brighter display, faster charging, a more powerful chipset, and generally improved features, making it a more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 21 | 2022, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 21 | Available. Released 2022, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 179.5 g (6.31 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pitch Black (Greyish Black), Slate Blue (Mostly Blue) | Power Black, Cool Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | MZB0957IN | MZB0B5VIN, 2201117PI, 2201117PG |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 100.18 |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318444 (v9)
GeekBench: 1836 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Reliable brand
- Outdated chipset
- Slower charging
- Lower display quality
- Less powerful camera
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (33W)
- More powerful chipset (Helio G96)
- Improved camera performance (likely)
- Modern design
- Slightly more expensive than M2 Reloaded
- No expandable storage (depending on variant)
Display Comparison
The Poco M4 Pro shines with its significantly brighter display (737 nits vs. unknown for M2 Reloaded). The 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors. The M2 Reloaded likely has a standard LCD panel, adequate but not exceptional. The M4 Pro's display offers a noticeably superior viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the M4 Pro is generally expected to have a more advanced camera system. The M2 Reloaded's camera is likely adequate for basic photography, but the M4 Pro should offer better image quality, dynamic range, and potentially more features like improved night mode or video stabilization. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Poco M4 Pro's Helio G96 chipset is a step up from the M2 Reloaded's Helio G80. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G96 provide better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. While both have octa-core CPUs, the M4 Pro's architecture is more efficient and powerful. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the M4 Pro.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 126h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the M4 Pro's 33W fast charging is a significant advantage over the M2 Reloaded's 18W charging. The M4 Pro can charge to 100% in approximately 58 minutes, while the M2 Reloaded will take considerably longer.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded? It's a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need the latest features. The Poco M4 Pro is ideal for those seeking a better display, faster performance, quicker charging, and a more modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco M2 Reloaded still worth buying?
If you're on a very tight budget and only need basic smartphone functionality, the M2 Reloaded can suffice. However, the M4 Pro offers significantly better value for a slightly higher price.
❓ What is the difference between the Helio G80 and Helio G96 chipsets?
The Helio G96 offers improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the Helio G80, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
