Xiaomi Poco M4 5G vs Poco M5s: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Xiaomi's Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Poco M4 5G and Poco M5s are two popular contenders in the budget smartphone arena, each offering a unique set of features. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco M5s edges out the M4 5G thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and slightly more powerful chipset. While the M4 5G offers 5G connectivity, the M5s provides a more refined overall experience for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Xiaomi Poco M5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, August 152022, September 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 07Available. Released 2022, September 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in)160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)178.8 g (6.31 oz)
 Splash resistantIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version)Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G76 MC4
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired, 64% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPower Black, Cool Blue, Poco YellowGray, Blue, White
Models22041219PG2207117BPG
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 120 EUR
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)1.00 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.60 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)0.60 W/kg (head)     0.87 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 121h Endurance rating 132h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: 1630:1 (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average) -25.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 336380 (v9) GeekBench: 1730 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 360681 (v9) GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Poco M4 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Longer Endurance Rating (potentially)
  • Generally more affordable

  • Slower Charging
  • Less Bright Display
  • Potentially weaker camera

Xiaomi Poco M5s

  • Brighter Display
  • Faster Charging (33W)
  • Slightly more powerful chipset
  • Likely better camera

  • No 5G
  • Slightly higher price (potentially)

Display Comparison

The Poco M5s boasts a significant advantage with its measured peak brightness of 756 nits, making it much easier to view outdoors. The M4 5G's contrast ratio of 1630:1 is good, but doesn't match the M5s's 'infinite' contrast (likely a marketing term, but indicative of excellent contrast). The M5s also likely has better color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are missing. Based on general reviews, the Poco M5s likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially with better image processing and low-light performance. The M4 5G's camera is adequate, but not exceptional.

Performance

The Poco M4 5G's Dimensity 700 is a capable chipset, but the Poco M5s's Helio G95 generally offers slightly better performance in everyday tasks and gaming. The G95's GPU is typically stronger. Both phones have similar CPU configurations, but the G95's architecture and optimizations give it a slight edge.

Battery Life

The Poco M4 5G has a slightly higher endurance rating (121h) compared to the Poco M5s (132h). However, endurance ratings are not always a reliable indicator of real-world battery life. The Poco M5s's 33W charging is significantly faster than the M4 5G's 18W, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The Poco M4 5G is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a longer battery life (though endurance ratings can be misleading). The Poco M5s is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, faster charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Poco M4 5G worth it if I need 5G?
Yes, if 5G connectivity is a must-have, the Poco M4 5G is a good option. However, consider if the trade-offs in display and charging speed are acceptable.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Poco M5s generally offers a smoother gaming experience due to its slightly more powerful chipset and GPU.