Xiaomi consistently delivers compelling options in the budget and mid-range smartphone space. The Redmi Note 11S 5G and Poco M5s represent two distinct approaches to value, with the Note 11S 5G prioritizing 5G connectivity and a newer chipset, while the M5s focuses on display brightness and a slightly more efficient battery. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Poco M5s offers a slightly better overall experience. Its significantly brighter 756 nit display is a major advantage for outdoor visibility, and the comparable battery life combined with a lower price point makes it the more compelling choice. However, the Redmi Note 11S 5G’s 5G capabilities are valuable for those in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 29 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 23 | Available. Released 2022, September 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 178.8 g (6.31 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 (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 100% in 59 min | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Twilight Blue, Star Blue | Gray, Blue, White |
| Models | 22031116BG | 2207117BPG |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 131h
|
Endurance rating 132h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1314:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360255 (v9)
GeekBench: 1820 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
- 5G Connectivity for faster data speeds
- More efficient 6nm Dimensity 810 chipset
- Slightly faster CPU clock speeds
- Dimmer display (509 nits)
- Potentially more thermal throttling under load
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Significantly brighter display (756 nits)
- Potentially better low-light camera performance
- Faster partial charging (64% in 30 mins)
- Less efficient 12nm Helio G95 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Display Comparison
The Poco M5s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 756 nits compared to the Redmi Note 11S 5G’s 509 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable outdoors, where the M5s remains readable in direct sunlight while the Note 11S 5G struggles. While the Redmi Note 11S 5G has a measured contrast ratio of 1314:1, the Poco M5s claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, likely due to its AMOLED panel. This suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors on the M5s. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, which is a common compromise at this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a similar 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking specific details in the provided data. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Xiaomi’s typical approach, the Poco M5s likely prioritizes a more versatile camera system, potentially with better low-light performance due to its AMOLED display aiding in framing shots. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and low resolution.
Performance
The Redmi Note 11S 5G is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm), while the Poco M5s utilizes the Helio G95 (12nm). The Dimensity 810, built on a smaller 6nm process, generally offers better power efficiency and slightly superior CPU performance, with its Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz versus the G95’s 2.05 GHz. However, the real-world performance difference is likely to be minimal for everyday tasks. The G95’s larger process node means it will likely run warmer under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both phones share 6GB of RAM, but the type (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR5X) isn't specified, impacting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi Note 11S 5G and Poco M5s achieve an impressive endurance rating of 131-132 hours. The Poco M5s charges to 64% in 30 minutes, while the Note 11S 5G reaches 100% in 59 minutes, both utilizing 33W wired charging. The slightly faster partial charge on the M5s is convenient, but the Note 11S 5G’s full charge time isn’t significantly slower. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 810 in the Note 11S 5G *should* contribute to slightly better battery efficiency, but the difference is likely negligible given the similar endurance ratings.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G if you prioritize future-proofing with 5G connectivity and anticipate using it in areas with strong 5G coverage. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you value a brighter, more visible display for outdoor use, and are less concerned about having the latest 5G technology, or if 5G isn't readily available in your region.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Helio G95 in the Poco M5s get noticeably hot during gaming?
The Helio G95, being built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the 6nm Dimensity 810. While it can handle moderate gaming sessions, expect performance to dip slightly during prolonged, graphically intensive games. The phone may also become warm to the touch.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the Redmi Note 11S 5G and Poco M5s really that significant in everyday use?
Yes, the 247 nit difference (509 vs 756) is substantial. The Poco M5s’s brighter display makes a noticeable difference when viewing content outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. The Redmi Note 11S 5G’s screen will appear washed out in similar conditions.
❓ Will I see a significant speed difference between 5G on the Redmi Note 11S 5G and 4G on the Poco M5s?
The speed difference between 5G and 4G is substantial *if* you have access to a strong 5G signal. However, if 5G coverage is limited in your area, the Poco M5s’s 4G connectivity will provide a similar experience. The benefit of 5G is lower latency and higher bandwidth, but these are only realized with adequate infrastructure.
