The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Poco M5s and Poco M5 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 decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5s edges out the M5 thanks to its significantly brighter display, faster charging, and slightly better overall performance. However, the Poco M5 boasts a more efficient chipset and a competitive price, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 05 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 06 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 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 | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, White | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | 2207117BPG | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 132h
|
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Brighter Display
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Slightly More Powerful Processor
- Good Value
- Older 12nm Process
- Potentially Less Battery Efficiency
Xiaomi Poco M5
- More Efficient Chipset (6nm)
- Competitive Price
- Good Battery Life
- Modern Design
- Lower Display Brightness
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Slightly Less Powerful Processor
Display Comparison
The Poco M5s takes a clear lead in the display department. It boasts a measured peak brightness of 756 nits, significantly higher than the Poco M5's 448 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer a good contrast ratio, the M5s's superior brightness makes it the winner for outdoor use and overall visual experience. Both likely use AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature similar camera setups, likely including a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, macro lens, and depth sensor. Image quality is expected to be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be similar, with both relying on software processing to enhance images. Video recording capabilities are also expected to be comparable, likely supporting up to 1080p resolution.
Performance
The Poco M5s utilizes the Mediatek Helio G95, built on a 12nm process, while the Poco M5 features the newer and more efficient Mediatek Helio G99 on a 6nm process. While the G99 generally offers a slight performance advantage, the G95 in the M5s is still capable and provides a smooth user experience for everyday tasks. Gaming performance is comparable, though the G99 might handle more demanding titles slightly better.
Battery Life
The Poco M5s holds a slight advantage in battery endurance with an endurance rating of 132h compared to the Poco M5's 121h. However, the Poco M5's more efficient chipset could offset this in real-world usage. The Poco M5s also offers significantly faster 33W wired charging compared to the Poco M5's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Poco M5s is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a slightly more powerful processor. The Poco M5 is a great choice for those seeking maximum battery efficiency and a more affordable price point, willing to compromise slightly on display brightness and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Poco M5 with the Helio G99 likely offers slightly better gaming performance due to its newer architecture and efficiency, though both are capable of handling most mobile games.
❓ Is the Poco M5s worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a brighter display and faster charging, the Poco M5s is worth the extra cost. If you're on a tighter budget and value battery efficiency, the Poco M5 is a compelling alternative.