Xiaomi Poco M5s vs Poco X5: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The Xiaomi Poco series consistently delivers impressive value for money. The Poco M5s and Poco X5 are two strong contenders in the budget smartphone arena, each boasting unique strengths. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco X5 edges out the M5s thanks to its more modern Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, faster charging, and slightly better overall performance. While the M5s offers a slightly longer endurance rating, the X5's improvements make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Poco M5s	Xiaomi Poco X5

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 06	Available. Released 2023, February 07

Body
Build	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)	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	178.8 g (6.31 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)
	IP53, dust and splash resistant	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 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G76 MC4	Adreno 619
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	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, 256GB 8GB 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
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	-	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR
Single	13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 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, with stereo speakers	Yes
	-	24-bit/192kHz audio

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, 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	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, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 64% in 30 min	33W wired, 100% in 60 min
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Blue, White	Jaguar Black, Wildcat Blue, Supernova Green
Models	2207117BPG	22111317PG, 22111317PI
Price	About 120 EUR	About 230 EUR
SAR	1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body)	0.84 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body)	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 132h	Endurance rating 106h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.4 LUFS (Very good)	-27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 360681 (v9) GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 400895 (v9) GeekBench: 2088 (v5.1)

Xiaomi Poco M5s

Slightly higher peak brightness
Excellent contrast ratio
Longer endurance rating (theoretical)

Older chipset
Slower charging
Less efficient processor

Xiaomi Poco X5

Modern Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
Faster charging
5G connectivity
More efficient processor

Slightly lower peak brightness
Shorter endurance rating (theoretical)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Poco M5s boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 756 nits compared to the X5's 728 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal). While the difference is subtle, the M5s might offer marginally better visibility in direct sunlight. Both use AMOLED panels, providing excellent color accuracy and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally comparable between the two. Both offer versatile camera setups, but detailed image quality comparisons would require more extensive testing. Both phones likely offer good value for their price range in terms of camera capabilities, with decent image processing and features.

Performance

The Poco X5 holds a significant advantage here. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm) is considerably more modern and efficient than the Poco M5s's Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance. The X5's CPU architecture also contributes to its superior speed.

Battery Life

The Poco M5s initially appears to win with an endurance rating of 132h, compared to the X5's 106h. However, the X5's faster charging (100% in 60 minutes vs 64% in 30 minutes for the M5s) significantly reduces downtime. While the M5s has a theoretical advantage in longevity, the X5's charging speed is a practical benefit.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s? Users prioritizing maximum battery life and a slightly more vibrant display might lean towards the M5s. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco X5? Those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and 5G connectivity will find the X5 a better fit.