The ZTE Blade A72 5G and Xiaomi Poco M5s represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and display technology. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5s emerges as the stronger choice. Its brighter 756-nit display and faster 33W charging provide a more polished user experience, offsetting the slightly older Helio G95 chipset. The ZTE Blade A72 5G offers 5G connectivity, but compromises in display quality and charging speed hold it back.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 10 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.5 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.36 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 | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 178.8 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | 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 | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 64% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Gray, Blue, White |
| Models | 7540N | 2207117BPG |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| 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) |
ZTE Blade A72 5G
- 5G Connectivity at a low price point
- More efficient 7nm chipset
- Potentially better 5G modem integration
- Likely lower display brightness
- Slower charging speeds (unspecified)
- Less refined user experience
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Brighter 756-nit display for better visibility
- Faster 33W charging
- Potentially better image processing
- Less efficient 12nm chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling
- 5G implementation may be less efficient
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Poco M5s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 756 nits, compared to the ZTE Blade A72 5G which lacks published brightness data. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for IPS LCDs), the Poco M5s’ higher peak brightness translates to more vibrant colors and better readability in sunlight. The absence of detailed display specs for the Blade A72 5G suggests a more basic panel, likely impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details in the provided data. Given the market positioning, we can expect both to feature multi-camera setups, but image quality will likely vary. The Poco M5s, being a more recent release, may benefit from improved image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Poco M5s is a common, but often underwhelming, addition – its utility is limited by the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera performance, but the Poco M5s’ likely superior image processing gives it an edge.
Performance
The ZTE Blade A72 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm), while the Poco M5s features the Helio G95 (12nm). Despite the Dimensity 700’s more efficient 7nm process, the CPU core configuration is similar – both feature a dual-core Cortex-A76 setup paired with a hexa-core Cortex-A55 cluster. However, the 12nm process of the Helio G95 means it will likely generate more heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. The Dimensity 700’s integrated 5G modem is a key advantage, offering potentially better 5G performance and efficiency. The Poco M5s relies on the G95’s 4G modem with 5G added via an external component, which can impact efficiency.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade A72 5G and Xiaomi Poco M5s achieve an endurance rating of 132 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Poco M5s significantly outperforms the Blade A72 5G in charging speed, offering 33W wired charging that can reach 64% in just 30 minutes. The Blade A72 5G’s charging speed is not specified, implying a slower charging rate, which is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A72 5G if your absolute priority is accessing 5G networks on the tightest budget, and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you prioritize a more enjoyable media consumption experience with a brighter screen, faster charging, and a generally more responsive feel, even if it means a slightly older chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Poco M5s struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G95 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 12nm process can lead to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially causing performance dips. The Dimensity 700 in the Blade A72 5G might offer slightly more sustained performance due to its 7nm process, but the Poco M5s’ GPU is generally more powerful.
❓ How significant is the difference in 5G performance between the ZTE Blade A72 5G and the Poco M5s?
The ZTE Blade A72 5G benefits from a fully integrated 5G modem within the Dimensity 700 chipset, potentially leading to more efficient 5G connectivity and better signal reception. The Poco M5s utilizes a 4G modem with an added 5G component, which can be less efficient and potentially result in slightly slower 5G speeds or reduced battery life when connected to 5G networks.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco M5s a significant upgrade over slower charging options?
Yes, the 33W charging on the Poco M5s is a substantial improvement. Reaching 64% charge in 30 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to standard charging speeds. This is particularly useful for users who need a quick power boost before heading out.
