Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Honor 70 and the Xiaomi Poco M5s. Both phones are vying for attention in the mid-range market, but they offer distinct experiences based on their specifications. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you decide which one fits your needs best.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | Honor 70 is slightly taller, but narrower and thinner, potentially making it more comfortable for one-handed use. Poco M5s is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 178g | 178.8g | Both phones are virtually the same weight; you won't notice a difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.43" | Honor 70 offers a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both screens offer the same sharpness. You won’t perceive a difference in pixel density due to the marginal difference in screen size. |
| PPI | 395 | 409 | Similar pixel density. Both screens will look equally sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Honor 70 will have smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming experience, resulting in a noticeably more fluid user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Poco M5s screen is significantly brighter making it easily visible in bright sunlight, while the Honor 70's lack of specification here is a concern. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G | Helio G95 | Honor 70's Snapdragon chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother gaming and multitasking performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 418,627 | Honor 70 has a substantial advantage in raw performance, leading to a much more responsive and fluid overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G76 MC4 | The Adreno GPU in Honor 70 is better suited for gaming and GPU intensive tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a slightly larger battery, which should translate to a bit more usage time before needing a charge. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges much faster, reducing the amount of time you'll be tethered to the wall. |
| Features | Reverse, Non-removable | Reverse, Non-removable | Standard battery features; both phones can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | Honor 70 has larger sensor for better low light performance; Xiaomi Poco M5s has higher resolution, but smaller sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Honor 70 boasts a higher resolution selfie camera for sharper pictures; Poco M5s has slightly larger pixel size |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens, resulting in superior photo quality. |
| Portrait mode | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Poco M5s has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos, while Honor 70 relies on software. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones have comparable macro lenses for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS | 4K@30fps | Both phones are capable of shooting 4k quality video; Honor 70 has image stabilization on all modes of recording, while Xiaomi does not have stabilization on 4k. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 115 (Photo: 115, Video: 129) | N/A | Honor 70 has a DXOMARK rating proving its good image quality, especially in video, while Poco M5s lacks a DXOMARK score and cannot be compared. |
| Features | Triple camera, Ultra Stable video | Quadruple camera | Honor 70 offers higher quality photos with the ultra-stable video feature, while Poco M5s has a depth sensor. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 | Similar starting point; both should receive OS updates, but Honor is likely to be supported for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Honor 70 supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, resulting in faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.0 LE | Honor 70 has the newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better stability and features with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer standard location tracking with the same GPS capabilities |
| SIM | Dual SIM DSDS | Dual SIM DSDS | Both support dual SIM cards for separate numbers on one device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Honor 70 offers a larger storage option, which is great for those who take a lot of photos and videos or download many apps; |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Honor 70 offers up to 12 GB of RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and overall faster operation. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer high-quality audio output through speakers and headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a more convenient and faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a more durable screen, offering better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones are feature-rich in terms of sensor capabilities, with minor differences. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ 5G chipset provides a significant performance advantage, making it better for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes for a noticeably smoother user experience, especially when browsing and scrolling.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors on the primary and wide-angle lenses mean superior photo quality, especially in the wide-angle shots. It also includes additional camera features like Ultra stable video and RAW shooting options for more advanced photography.
- Faster Charging: With 66W fast charging, you can quickly top up the battery and get back to using your phone, reducing the time spent plugged into the charger.
- Advanced Connectivity: Features WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
- More RAM and Storage: More storage capacity and RAM, suitable for users with demanding app libraries.
- Better video capabilities: Image stabilization while recording in any format.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 1100 nits peak brightness makes the screen easily visible in direct sunlight, which is important for outdoor use.
- Better Battery Life: The slightly larger battery capacity means you might get a little more usage time between charges.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 ensures greater protection against scratches and minor impacts to the screen, increasing durability and peace of mind.
- Convenient fingerprint scanner: Has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is more convenient than the Honor 70 basic fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price Point: It is usually available at a lower price than the Honor 70, which can be very attractive to users on a tighter budget.
- Depth sensor: Dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Honor 70: Lacks expandable storage and the display may not be as bright as the Poco M5s.
- Xiaomi Poco M5s: Lower performance chip and a 60Hz display may feel less smooth than the Honor 70.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is best for:
- Gamers: The powerful Snapdragon chipset and 120Hz display provide a superior gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who require smooth multitasking and fast app loading will benefit from the better performance and higher RAM.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photos and videos, especially with the more versatile wide-angle lens, will appreciate the better camera.
- Users that watch content: The bigger screen makes it better to watch content, while the 120Hz refresh rate makes it more enjoyable.
Xiaomi Poco M5s is best for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a reliable phone at a more affordable price will find great value in the Poco M5s.
- Outdoor Users: The higher brightness makes it easier to see the screen under direct sunlight.
- Everyday users: It is a good all-around phone for most of the common usage scenarios.
- Users that value battery life: The bigger battery ensures longer lasting power.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How much do you prioritize performance?
- If you're a gamer or need smooth performance for heavy usage, the Honor 70 is the clear choice.
- If you're a casual user with basic needs, the Poco M5s is more than adequate.
- How important is display quality?
- If you value smoother animations and scrolling, the Honor 70 with its 120Hz refresh rate is preferable.
- If you prioritize outdoor visibility, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is better thanks to its higher brightness.
- What is your budget?
- If budget is a primary concern, the Xiaomi Poco M5s provides good value for money.
- If you are willing to spend more for premium features, the Honor 70 is worth the extra cost.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the Gamer: The Honor 70 is a must-have with its superior chipset and smoother display.
- For the Budget-Conscious Casual User: The Xiaomi Poco M5s provides a reliable and versatile experience at a more accessible price point.
- For the Outdoor Adventurer: The Xiaomi Poco M5s wins with its brighter screen for better visibility in sunlight.
- For the Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 70 offers a superior camera system with a more versatile wide-angle lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between the two, I would opt for the Honor 70. The superior performance offered by the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset, combined with the smoother 120Hz display and a better camera system, makes it a much more compelling option for my needs. I value a fast and responsive device that excels in everyday multitasking and gaming, and the Honor 70 delivers that in spades. Also, the video capabilities with the image stabilization are better and a very important feature to me. While I recognize the Xiaomi Poco M5s has advantages in battery life and outdoor visibility, they aren't as critical to me as the overall performance and camera capabilities.
That said, if the budget was a major factor and I did not need the top-end performance, the Poco M5s would also be a good option.
