Xiaomi offers a plethora of mid-range smartphones, making it tough to pick the right one. The Redmi Note 11S and Poco M5s are both compelling options, boasting attractive features and competitive pricing. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco M5s edges out the Redmi Note 11S thanks to its slightly brighter display and faster charging. Both offer excellent value, but the M5s's overall package feels a bit more polished, especially for media consumption and quick top-ups. However, the Note 11S might offer slightly better camera performance in certain conditions.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 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, January 26 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 09 | Available. Released 2022, September 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 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 | 179 g (6.31 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 (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 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 MT6781 Helio G96 (12 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 (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB 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 | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 |
| 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, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 58 min | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Pearl White, Twilight Blue | Gray, Blue, White |
| Models | 2201117SG, 2201117SI, 2201117SY, 2201117SL | 2207117BPG |
| Price | € 136.99 | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
|
Endurance rating 132h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 251201 (v8), 308741 (v9)
GeekBench: 1873 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360681 (v9)
GeekBench: 1831 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 18fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S
- Slightly better camera (potentially)
- Familiar MIUI software
- Good overall value
- Slightly slower charging
- Lower peak brightness than Poco M5s
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Brighter display
- Faster charging
- Sleek design
- Good value
- Camera slightly less impressive than Note 11S
- Software experience can be slightly less refined
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Poco M5s boasts a marginally higher peak brightness of 756 nits compared to the Redmi Note 11S's 744 nits, making it slightly better for outdoor visibility. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal).
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 11S is generally considered to have a slightly better camera system, particularly in well-lit conditions, due to its 108MP main sensor. The Poco M5s features a 64MP main sensor. Both offer decent video recording capabilities, but neither excels in low-light photography. Both have ultrawide, macro, and depth sensors.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Mediatek Helio G96 chipset, but the Poco M5s uses the slightly tweaked Helio G95. While both have the same CPU configuration (Octa-core with Cortex-A76 and A55 cores), the G95 in the M5s might offer a minor performance advantage in some scenarios. Real-world performance is generally smooth for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 5000mAh battery and achieve similar endurance ratings (133h vs 132h). The Poco M5s has a slight edge in charging speed, reaching 64% in 30 minutes with its 33W charger, compared to the Redmi Note 11S's 100% in 58 minutes. Both support PD3.0 and QC3 charging standards.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S is ideal for users prioritizing a slightly more refined camera experience and a familiar MIUI software feel. The Xiaomi Poco M5s is a great choice for those who value a brighter display, faster charging, and a more streamlined design, particularly if media consumption is a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
Both phones offer decent gaming performance for their price range. The Poco M5s might have a slight edge due to its slightly tweaked chipset, but the difference is minimal.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 11S's camera really that much better?
In ideal lighting conditions, the Redmi Note 11S's 108MP sensor can capture slightly more detail. However, the Poco M5s's camera is still very capable and produces good results overall.
