Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Motorola Moto G51 5G and the Xiaomi Poco M5s. Both phones are aiming for that sweet spot of affordability and functionality, but they take different paths to get there. As always, my approach is to dissect these specs and translate them into real-world scenarios that matter to you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to get us started, breaking down the key specs and what they mean in practice:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | The Poco M5s is noticeably smaller, lighter and thinner making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use. |
| Weight | 208g | 178.8g | The Poco M5s is significantly lighter, easier to hold, especially during long calls or gaming sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.43" | Motorola offers a more immersive experience for media consumption, while the Poco is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both are sharp enough for most use cases, providing crisp text and decent visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 387 | 409 | The Poco M5s boasts slightly higher sharpness, though it may not be noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Poco M5s offers deeper blacks, better contrast, vibrant colours and improved viewing angles thanks to its AMOLED display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Motorola provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations. The Poco will feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | The Poco M5s excels in bright environments, offering significantly better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 480+ 5G | Helio G95 | The Poco M5s has slightly better performance. The Moto G51 has a more efficient chipset with 5G connectivity. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,000 | 418,627 | The Poco M5s has a 10% higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Both handle gaming well for the most part, but the Poco M5s has a slight advantage with a stronger GPU. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 10W | 33W | The Poco M5s charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The Poco M5s can act as a power bank to charge other devices, a useful feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 50MP (f/1.8) | 64MP (f/1.9) | The Poco M5s captures more detail, while the Moto G51 has wider aperture. |
| Selfie | 13MP (f/2.2) | 13MP (f/2.4) | The Moto G51 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP | 8MP (f/2.2) | Both have comparable wide-angle performance. |
| Portrait (depth) | N/A | 2MP (f/2.4) | The Poco M5s can produce photos with blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro | 2MP | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both have comparable macro performance. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps | The Poco M5s captures sharper, higher-resolution videos. |
| Features | Triple Camera, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Quad Camera, Digital Image Stabilization, Night Mode | The Moto G51 has faster autofocus and can shoot in RAW while the Poco M5s has better video capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | The Poco M5s offers a more recent version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 | Both support standard Wi-Fi speeds, with Wi-Fi MiMO for the Poco. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Motorola has a newer Bluetooth, but both offer good connectivity for wireless devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both have accurate positioning. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | The Poco M5s offers more storage options, including 256 GB version. |
| RAM | 4GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Both offer a variety of RAM options for different needs. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Poco M5s has stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Poco M5s has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco has Compass Sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G51 5G Strengths:
- Larger Display: The 6.8-inch screen is excellent for immersive viewing.
- Smoother Scrolling: The 120Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage for smoother navigation.
- 5G Connectivity: The Snapdragon 480+ 5G offers future-proof connectivity and good efficiency.
- Wider aperture on Main and Selfie camera: Better performance in low light scenarios.
- Fast Autofocus: PDAF and LAF ensure quick and reliable focus.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, a more premium experience.
- Better Performance: The Helio G95 offers stronger benchmark performance.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging speed reduces downtime significantly.
- Better Cameras: 64MP main sensor and the addition of a depth camera offer more versatile photography options.
- 4K Video Recording: Support for 4K video adds more flexibility for video content creators.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio experience for media consumption.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers added durability.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
Trade-offs
- Motorola: Lacks the vibrancy of an AMOLED display, slower charging.
- Xiaomi: 60Hz refresh rate could feel sluggish compared to the Moto G51, older bluetooth version, lacks 5G connectivity.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G51 5G
- Ideal For: Media lovers who enjoy watching videos and movies, and want a large screen with fluid motions. Users who want 5G connectivity.
- Use Cases: Streaming videos, browsing the web, social media, and casual gaming.
- Value Proposition: Good value for users who wants a big screen and 5G at an affordable price.
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Ideal For: Users who prioritize display quality, camera performance, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Photography enthusiasts, content creators, those who want a good multimedia experience.
- Value Proposition: A superior all-rounder, offering a good balance of features for everyday use.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How much do I value display quality? If a vibrant and high-contrast AMOLED is important to you, the Poco M5s is the clear winner. If a larger display and smoother experience is preferred, then the Motorola might be better for you.
- How important is fast charging and battery features? The Poco M5s charges much quicker with a 33W charger, and can also be used as a power bank with reverse charging. If that is a priority, this would be the better choice.
- What do I use the camera for most often? If you are doing a lot of photography and want the best detail and video quality, the Poco M5s has the advantage. If you prefer low light performance, the Motorola might be a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: For everyday use like messaging, browsing, and social media, the Poco M5s is the better option for most, giving a premium experience with better screen and battery.
- The Mobile Gamer: The Moto G51's 120Hz refresh rate might be attractive to some, but the slightly stronger GPU and the more vibrant display of the Poco M5s will appeal to most users.
- The Content Creator: The Xiaomi Poco M5s is a better option for the 4K video capabilities and depth sensor which are not found in the Motorola.
- The Media Lover: The larger screen with smoother experience would make the Motorola a better option for this category, but it depends on preference in screen technology.
My Pick
If I had to choose, I would lean towards the Xiaomi Poco M5s. While the Motorola Moto G51 5G has a larger screen and smoother 120Hz refresh rate, the Poco M5s simply offers more in critical areas.
The AMOLED display is a significant leap in visual quality, and for me, that's a game-changer. Combined with the faster charging, better camera system, and stereo speakers it simply offers a more complete experience. The slightly better processing and the added reverse charging feature is just the cherry on top, making it a really valuable daily driver.
Although I would miss the 5G connectivity, the advantages of the Poco M5s are too good to pass up. It’s a testament to how crucial display technology has become in the smartphone experience, and the Poco M5s delivers that in spades.
