Xiaomi consistently delivers excellent value in the budget smartphone market. The Poco M5s and Redmi Note 12 are two popular contenders, each offering a compelling package. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key features to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi Note 12 edges out the Poco M5s thanks to its more modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1) offering better efficiency and performance. While the Poco M5s boasts slightly better battery endurance on paper, the Note 12's faster charging and overall smoother experience make it the winner.
| 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, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 05 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 06 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| 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) | 188 g (6.63 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) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| 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 4GB 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, 120˚ (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), 1/3.0" |
| 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 | Unspecified |
| 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, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, White | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | 2207117BPG | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 132h
|
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Slightly brighter display
- Excellent battery endurance (on paper)
- Good value for money
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Potentially less responsive
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- More modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Faster charging
- Smoother performance
- Slightly lower peak brightness
- Slightly lower endurance rating (on paper)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays with excellent contrast ratios (nominally infinite). The Poco M5s has a slightly higher peak brightness of 756 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12's 706 nits, making it marginally better for outdoor visibility. However, both offer a pleasant viewing experience for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two devices, both offering decent photo and video capabilities for their price range. Both phones feature multiple lenses, including a main sensor and likely ultrawide and macro lenses. Detailed camera tests would be needed to definitively declare a winner, but both are expected to deliver acceptable results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset (6nm) provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Poco M5s's Helio G95 (12nm). The newer architecture and more efficient manufacturing process result in smoother multitasking and better overall responsiveness. While the Poco M5s is capable, the Note 12 feels more modern and fluid.
Battery Life
The Poco M5s boasts an impressive endurance rating of 132h, suggesting superior battery longevity. However, the Redmi Note 12's active use score of 10:58h is still respectable. Crucially, the Redmi Note 12 charges significantly faster, reaching 50% in just 22 minutes compared to the Poco M5s's 30 minutes for 64%. This faster charging can offset the slight difference in overall battery life.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Poco M5s is ideal for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a slightly brighter display on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a better choice for those seeking a more responsive experience, a newer chipset, and faster charging speeds, even if it means a slight compromise in absolute battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 generally offers better gaming performance due to its newer architecture and improved efficiency.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance and faster charging, the Redmi Note 12 is likely worth the slight price premium. However, if battery life is your absolute top priority and you're on a very tight budget, the Poco M5s remains a viable option.
