The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Poco M5 and Poco X5 are two of their latest contenders, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X5 edges out the M5 thanks to its significantly brighter display, faster charging, and the more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset. While the M5 boasts exceptional battery life, the X5's overall package makes it the slightly better choice for most users.
| 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, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 05 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 13 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 100% in 60 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Yellow | Jaguar Black, Wildcat Blue, Supernova Green |
| Models | 22071219CG | 22111317PG, 22111317PI |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 230 EUR |
| SAR | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 121h
|
Endurance rating 106h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
-27.3 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 400895 (v9)
GeekBench: 2088 (v5.1) |
Xiaomi Poco M5
- Exceptional battery life
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- Good value for money
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to X5
Xiaomi Poco X5
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (33W)
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly shorter battery life than M5
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Poco X5 takes a clear lead in the display department. While both offer excellent contrast ratios (the X5's 'infinite' is nominal, but still indicative of high quality), the X5's measured 728 nits max brightness is a substantial improvement over the M5's 448 nits. This makes the X5 much easier to view outdoors and in bright environments. Both displays are likely to be LCD panels with FHD+ resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar between the two, with both offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. However, the X5 might have slightly better image processing due to the Snapdragon chipset. Both phones likely feature a main sensor around 50MP, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Low-light performance is likely comparable.
Performance
The Poco X5's Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset generally outperforms the Poco M5's Mediatek Helio G99. The Snapdragon offers better efficiency and a more modern architecture, resulting in smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times. Both phones handle everyday tasks well, but the X5 has a slight edge for more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Poco M5 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 121 hours. The Poco X5, while still offering good battery life at 106 hours, falls slightly behind. This difference is noticeable in real-world usage, with the M5 potentially lasting a full day longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The Poco M5 is ideal for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a smooth experience for everyday tasks. The Poco X5 is better suited for those who value a brighter display, faster charging, and 5G connectivity, and a slightly more powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better 5G support?
The Poco X5 supports 5G connectivity, while the Poco M5 does not.
❓ Is the Poco X5 worth the extra money?
If you value a brighter display, faster charging, and 5G, then the Poco X5 is likely worth the extra investment. If battery life is your absolute top priority, the Poco M5 remains a strong contender.