Xiaomi Poco M5s vs Redmi Note 12 4G: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Xiaomi consistently delivers excellent value smartphones, and the Poco M5s and Redmi Note 12 4G are prime examples. Both offer compelling features at competitive prices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco M5s edges out the Redmi Note 12 4G thanks to its slightly superior battery life and brighter display. However, the Redmi Note 12 4G boasts a more modern and efficient chipset, potentially offering smoother performance in the long run. It's a close call, depending on your priorities.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Poco M5s	Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G

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
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, September 05	2023, March 23
Status	Available. Released 2022, September 06	Available. Released 2023, March 30

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)	165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	178.8 g (6.31 oz)	183.5 g (6.49 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 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)	AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G76 MC4	Adreno 610
OS	Android 12, MIUI 13	Android 13, 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, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
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
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Gray, Blue, White	Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue
Models	2207117BPG	23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L
Price	About 120 EUR	£ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998
SAR	1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body)	1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body)	0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 132h	Endurance rating 117h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-25.4 LUFS (Very good)	-27.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance	AnTuTu: 360681 (v9) GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1) GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 319219 (v9) GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6) GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Poco M5s

Excellent battery life
Brighter display
Good value for money
Versatile camera system

Older chipset
Potentially slower performance compared to Redmi Note 12 4G
Design may feel dated

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G

More modern and efficient chipset
Potentially smoother performance
Sleek design
Good overall package

Slightly shorter battery life
Slightly dimmer display
33W charging only

Display Comparison

The Poco M5s takes a slight lead with a measured peak brightness of 756 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12 4G's 744 nits. Both feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term indicating very high contrast), offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. Both use AMOLED panels, providing excellent viewing angles and true blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature versatile camera setups, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Poco M5s might have a slight edge in video recording due to potentially better stabilization, but this is speculative without direct comparison. Both likely include a main sensor, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor.

Performance

Here, the Redmi Note 12 4G has an advantage. Its Snapdragon 685 (6nm) chipset is more modern and efficient than the Poco M5s's Helio G95 (12nm). While the Poco M5s's CPU has a slightly higher clock speed on some cores, the Snapdragon 685's architecture and manufacturing process generally lead to better overall performance and power efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and potentially better gaming performance on the Redmi Note 12 4G.

Battery Life

The Poco M5s demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 132 hours compared to the Redmi Note 12 4G's 117 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage between charges, making the Poco M5s a better choice for heavy users.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Poco M5s is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a vibrant display for media consumption. The Redmi Note 12 4G is a better choice for those seeking a more modern chipset and potentially better long-term performance, even if it means a slight compromise on battery endurance.