Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Nokia G100 and the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. These two phones might look similar on paper, but there are some critical differences that will impact your daily use. As usual, we'll cut through the marketing fluff and focus on what really matters.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed comparison table highlighting the key differences and their real-world implications:
| Feature | Nokia G100 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.6 × 76.7 × 8.9 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Nokia G100 is slightly taller; both have similar width/thickness |
| Weight | 195.1g | 200g | Virtually identical weight, both feel similarly solid in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.58" | Practically the same size - very marginal difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2408 | Poco M4 5G has a significantly sharper display. |
| PPI | 269 | 401 | Poco M4 5G display will appear much clearer, less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Same panel tech, so expect similar color and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 5G is noticeably smoother in scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is identical, but this measurement is missing for now. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11nm) | Dimensity 700 (7nm) | Poco M4 5G has a more efficient and powerful chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,615 | 381,300 | Poco M4 5G offers much faster performance, suitable for gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 5G's GPU will handle graphically intensive tasks better. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 13MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Nokia G100 has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Nokia G100 captures more detailed selfies, Poco has wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Nokia G100 offers wide-angle shots, Poco M4 does not. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer depth-sensing capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar standard video capture capabilities |
| Slow-motion | Yes, 120 fps | No, 30 fps | Nokia G100 records at a higher fps for smoother slow motion video |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, Continuous Shooting, Panorama, etc. | Dual Camera, 4K Video, etc. | Nokia G100 is more versatile, Poco offers 4K video and enhanced features. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 15W, Li-Ion | 18W, Li-Polymer | Poco M4 5G charges faster and has a slightly modern battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Poco M4 5G offers reverse charging, G100 doesn't |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 | Both use Android 12 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Poco M4 5G offers a more advanced WiFi module |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | Poco M4 5G offers a more recent Bluetooth Version and a couple of enhanced features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco M4 5G has a more robust GPS capability, more accurate. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Poco M4 5G has double the base storage in the basic model |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4/6 GB | Poco M4 5G has more RAM, better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Basic Features | Nokia G100 has an edge in recording due to the two mics |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Similar side-mounted fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Both phones have similar screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint | Nokia G100 has a Barometer, Poco M4 5G has a Compass |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G – The Performance Winner: The Poco M4 5G is clearly superior in terms of performance. Its Dimensity 700 chipset crushes the Snapdragon 662 in benchmarks, translating to much snappier performance in daily use, from launching apps to gaming. The higher refresh rate on the display also makes the user experience noticeably smoother.
- Nokia G100 – Camera Versatility: The G100 offers a more versatile camera system with a dedicated wide-angle lens, something the Poco M4 5G lacks. Its front-facing camera is also higher resolution, which makes a difference for selfie quality. The G100 also captures slow-motion videos at a higher framerate. The dual microphones offer slightly improved voice recording during videos.
- Display Difference: The display on the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is significantly sharper due to its higher resolution and pixel density. This makes a huge difference when viewing text, pictures, or videos.
- Battery and Charging: Both phones have similar battery capacity but the Poco M4 5G offers slightly faster charging and reverse charging capabilities, making it more convenient if you need to juice another device.
- Connectivity: The Poco M4 5G offers an upgraded WiFi and Bluetooth experience, and a more robust GPS which gives a better experience to the user.
- Storage and RAM: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has an edge in base storage (64GB vs 32GB) and the option for more RAM (6GB vs 4GB), which offers better multitasking and an overall snappier experience.
- Build: Both phones have similar build quality with similar screen protection technology (Corning Gorilla Glass 3)
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Ideal for: Performance-conscious users, gamers, those who prioritize a smooth display, and users who often multitask.
- Use Cases: Casual gaming, media consumption, daily productivity, and smooth scrolling experience. The fast charging and more reliable connectivity offer a better all-around daily user experience.
- Value: The Poco M4 5G offers a better price-to-performance ratio.
- Nokia G100:
- Ideal for: Users who prioritize a versatile camera system, specifically those who need a wide-angle lens, and those who want better selfie camera quality. The dual mics also offer a slight upgrade for recording.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, video calls, and users who value a more comprehensive camera suite, even if it isn't the most powerful.
- Value: The G100 might be a better choice for users who don't push their phones too hard but want a more flexible camera.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself when choosing between these phones:
- Do you prioritize performance and a smooth display? If yes, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is the clear choice due to its more powerful processor, higher refresh rate display, and better benchmarks.
- Do you often use a wide-angle camera or take frequent selfies? If yes, the Nokia G100 is the better choice, as it has a wide-angle lens and a higher resolution selfie camera.
- Do you need more base storage and RAM for multitasking? If yes, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has an edge with the 64 GB model compared to 32GB and 6GB RAM compared to 4GB.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual Gamer: Go for the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. Its faster chip and higher refresh rate display will give you a smoother, more enjoyable gaming experience.
- The Social Media Enthusiast: The Nokia G100 might be more suitable for you due to its more versatile camera with a wide-angle lens and a higher resolution selfie camera.
- The Power User: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is the better choice. Its snappier performance, larger base storage, and more RAM offers a more robust all-around experience.
- The Budget-Conscious User: Both phones are in similar price categories, but the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers better value due to the better processing power and base storage.
Final Choice and Reasoning:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I'd go for the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. Here's why:
- Performance and Display: The Dimensity 700 chip is a game-changer, and a 90Hz refresh rate is important to me. The crisp display is a huge plus, making daily interactions more enjoyable and responsive.
- User Experience: The Poco M4 5G offers a snappier, smoother, and more modern user experience. The enhanced connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS) make the phone a more complete package for a daily driver.
- Price-to-Value: Given the specifications and the current market, the Poco M4 5G simply offers more bang for the buck. While the Nokia G100 offers a few camera-related advantages, the overall experience on the Poco is just more compelling.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G presents a more future-proof package, while the Nokia G100 might only be a better option for users specifically needing its camera versatility. If you had to choose only one, the Poco M4 5G simply ticks more boxes for most users.
