Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive value in the budget phone market. The Poco M5 and Redmi 12C are two popular contenders, offering compelling features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5 emerges as the winner thanks to its significantly more powerful chipset, brighter display, and faster charging. While the Redmi 12C offers a more budget-friendly price point, the Poco M5 provides a noticeably better overall user experience.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 05 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 13 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| 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) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201 g (7.09 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Yellow | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | 22071219CG | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 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 M5
- Superior Performance (Helio G99)
- Brighter & Higher Contrast Display
- Faster 18W Charging
- Excellent Battery Life (121h Endurance)
- Potentially slightly higher price than Redmi 12C
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More Affordable Price
- Reliable for Basic Usage
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Performance (Helio G85)
- Dimmer Display
- Slow 10W Charging
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a superior display with a measured peak brightness of 448 nits and an impressive 1363:1 contrast ratio. The Redmi 12C's display, while adequate, lacks the same level of vibrancy and brightness. The Poco M5's display offers a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their price range, the Poco M5 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. Both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 50MP, but the Poco M5's image processing algorithms appear to be more refined. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, offering 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Poco M5's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset is a clear winner over the Redmi 12C's Helio G85. The G99 offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities. The Redmi 12C can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Poco M5's endurance rating of 121h is exceptional, suggesting outstanding battery life. The Redmi 12C's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Poco M5's longevity. Coupled with its faster 18W charging, the Poco M5 offers a more convenient charging experience.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Poco M5 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a vibrant display, and faster charging. It's a great choice for light gaming and everyday multitasking. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is best suited for users on a tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic communication, social media, and light usage. It's a reliable option for those who don't demand high performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco M5 worth the extra money compared to the Redmi 12C?
Yes, if performance and display quality are important to you. The Poco M5 offers a significantly better experience for a relatively small price increase.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Poco M5's Helio G99 chipset provides considerably better gaming performance than the Redmi 12C's Helio G85.
