Xiaomi Poco M4 5G vs Poco M5: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Xiaomi's Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Poco M4 5G and Poco M5 are two of their latest contenders, both aiming to provide a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank. But which one reigns supreme in this budget battle?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco M5 edges out the M4 5G thanks to its brighter display and slightly more efficient chipset. While both offer excellent battery life and similar camera capabilities, the M5's improved screen makes it the better overall choice for most users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Poco M4 5G	Xiaomi Poco M5

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
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, August 15	2022, September 05
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 07	Available. Released 2022, September 13

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 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	200 g (7.05 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)
	Splash resistant	-

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	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
	UFS 2.2	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
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, (wide)	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
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired	18W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Power Black, Cool Blue, Poco Yellow	Black, Green, Yellow
Models	22041219PG	22071219CG
Price	About 180 EUR	About 100 EUR
SAR	1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body)	1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.60 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 121h	Endurance rating 121h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1630:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 1363:1
Loudspeaker	-28.8 LUFS (Average)	-27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 336380 (v9) GeekBench: 1730 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 386311 (v9) GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Poco M4 5G

5G Connectivity
Decent Performance
Good Battery Life
Competitive Price

Lower Display Brightness
Slightly Less Efficient Chipset
Average Low-Light Camera Performance

Xiaomi Poco M5

Brighter Display
More Efficient Chipset
Good Battery Life
Competitive Price

No 5G Connectivity
Average Low-Light Camera Performance
Similar Camera Hardware to M4 5G

Display Comparison

The Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits, significantly brighter than the M4 5G's unspecified brightness. Both offer a contrast ratio of around 1630:1 (M4 5G nominal), providing decent image depth. However, the M5's brightness advantage makes it more usable outdoors and in well-lit environments. The M4 5G's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the M5.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature similar camera setups, typically including a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, and macro lens. Image quality is generally good for the price range, with decent detail and dynamic range in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is average. Specific camera specs (megapixel counts, sensor sizes) are often similar across both models, making it a close contest.

Performance

The Poco M4 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 700, a 5G-capable chipset. The Poco M5 features the Mediatek Helio G99. While both share the same CPU core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), the Helio G99 generally offers slightly better efficiency and gaming performance due to its more modern 6nm process compared to the Dimensity 700's 7nm process. The 5G connectivity of the M4 5G is a key differentiator.

Battery Life

Both the Poco M4 5G and Poco M5 share an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. Users can expect all-day battery performance with moderate usage on either device. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly more powerful chipset for demanding tasks. The Xiaomi Poco M5 is a better fit for those who value a brighter, more vibrant display and a more efficient processor for everyday use and smoother performance.