Xiaomi Redmi 10 vs Poco M5: A Head-to-Head Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi 10 and Poco M5 are both excellent contenders in the budget smartphone market, offering impressive features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco M5 edges out the Redmi 10 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G99 vs Snapdragon 680), potentially better gaming performance, and similar battery life. Both offer great value, but the Poco M5 provides a bit more punch for your money.

PHONES
Phone Names	Xiaomi Redmi 10 (India)	Xiaomi Poco M5

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 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, March 17	2022, September 05
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 24	Available. Released 2022, September 13

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	169.6 x 76.6 x 9.1 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 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	203 g (7.16 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio)	6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)	Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)
GPU	Adreno 610	Mali-G57 MC2
OS	Android 11, MIUI 13	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	UFS 2.2

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP, f/2.0	-
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/2.0	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	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired	18W wired
Type	Li-Po 6000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Pacific Blue, Caribbean Green	Black, Green, Yellow
Models	220333QAG	22071219CG
Price	About 130 EUR	About 100 EUR
SAR	-	1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 121h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1363:1
Loudspeaker	-	-27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 386311 (v9) GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Redmi 10 (India)

Balanced performance
Clean MIUI software
Good value for money
Reliable everyday use

Slightly less powerful chipset
Slower charging
Camera slightly less refined than Poco M5

Xiaomi Poco M5

More powerful Helio G99 chipset
Better gaming performance
Excellent battery life
Good value for money

MIUI can be a bit bloated
Charging speed could be faster
Design might not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The Poco M5 boasts a slightly higher measured brightness of 448 nits compared to the Redmi 10, which is around 400 nits. The contrast ratio of 1363:1 is excellent on both devices, providing deep blacks and rich visuals. Overall, display performance is very similar.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a quad-camera setup, but the Poco M5 generally produces slightly better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. The Redmi 10's camera is still capable, but the Poco M5's image processing tends to be more refined. Video recording capabilities are comparable on both devices, offering 1080p recording at 30fps.

Performance

The Poco M5’s Mediatek Helio G99 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 10’s Snapdragon 680. The G99’s dual Cortex-A76 cores provide better CPU performance, especially for gaming and multitasking. While both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly, the Poco M5 will feel snappier and more responsive under heavier loads. The Redmi 10's Snapdragon 680 is still capable, but not as powerful.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with an endurance rating of 121 hours. The large 5000mAh battery on both devices easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired, which is relatively slow compared to some competitors, but still acceptable for the price range.

Buying Guide

The Xiaomi Redmi 10 is ideal for users prioritizing a balanced experience with a focus on everyday tasks, reliable performance, and a clean software experience. The Xiaomi Poco M5 is a better choice for those who want a slightly more powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps, while still maintaining excellent battery life.