Xiaomi consistently delivers excellent value smartphones, and the Poco M5s and Redmi Note 12S are prime examples. Both offer compelling features at competitive prices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right one for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5s edges out the Redmi Note 12S thanks to its significantly brighter display and slightly better overall performance due to the Helio G95. While the Note 12S is a solid contender, the M5s provides a more premium experience, especially for media consumption and gaming.
| 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 |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 05 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 06 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| 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) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | 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 | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, 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 | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 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 |
| 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 Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | 2207117BPG | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 132h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Brighter Display
- Slightly Better Performance
- Premium Feel
- Excellent Battery Life
- May be slightly more expensive
- No expandable storage (depending on variant)
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Reliable Performance
- Clean User Experience
- Competitive Price
- Good Battery Life
- Less Bright Display
- Slightly Weaker Performance
- Potentially Less Premium Build
Display Comparison
The Poco M5s boasts a measured peak brightness of 756 nits, significantly brighter than the Redmi Note 12S (estimated around 450-500 nits). Both feature AMOLED displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the M5s offers better visibility in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' for the M5s, indicating excellent contrast. Both likely have a 6.43-inch display with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a quad-camera setup, likely including a main sensor, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor. While specific megapixel counts are not provided, the Poco M5s is generally expected to have slightly better image processing due to the more powerful chipset. Video recording capabilities are likely similar, supporting 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Poco M5s utilizes the Mediatek Helio G95, a slightly more powerful chipset than the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96. Both feature an Octa-core CPU with Cortex-A76 and Cortex-A55 cores, but the G95 generally offers a small performance advantage in gaming and demanding applications. Both phones will handle everyday tasks smoothly.
Battery Life
The Poco M5s has an endurance rating of 132 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Redmi Note 12S also offers good battery life, but likely not as impressive as the M5s. Both support 33W wired charging, achieving 64% charge in 30 minutes for the M5s. The Note 12S will likely take a similar amount of time.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s? Users prioritizing a vibrant display, slightly faster performance, and a more premium feel. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S? Those seeking a reliable, budget-friendly option with a focus on everyday tasks and a clean user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco M5s worth the extra money compared to the Redmi Note 12S?
If you value a brighter display and slightly better performance, the Poco M5s is worth the investment. However, if you're on a tight budget and prioritize a clean user experience, the Redmi Note 12S is a solid choice.
❓ Do both phones have expandable storage?
It depends on the specific variant. Some Poco M5s models may not offer expandable storage, while the Redmi Note 12S typically does.
