Alright, let's break down these two contenders – the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro – and see where they stand in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm | The Poco X5 Pro is slightly smaller and thinner, likely feeling more comfortable in hand. The A04s has a larger overall volume |
| Weight | 195g | 181g | The Poco X5 Pro is lighter by 14g, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | The Poco X5 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, potentially more immersive for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Poco X5 Pro has a much sharper display, making text and images noticeably clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 395 | The Poco X5 Pro's display is significantly crisper and detailed. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Poco X5 Pro offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. Better for viewing in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Poco X5 Pro has slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | The brightness is not available for both devices. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) | The Poco X5 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 609,106 | The Poco X5 Pro scores much higher in benchmarks, reflecting significantly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 642L | The Poco X5 Pro has a better GPU, leading to significantly better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.9 | The Poco X5 Pro can capture more detailed images due to higher resolution. The A04s has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Poco X5 Pro offers more detailed selfies with higher resolution. The A04s has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Poco X5 Pro includes a wide angle lens which allows for a different field of view. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s features a dedicated depth sensor which can help with portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both cameras have a similar macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | The Poco X5 Pro supports 4K video recording which is much higher quality than 1080p. |
| Video Stabilisation | No | EIS | The Poco X5 Pro has electronic image stabilisation to help produce smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | 34 fps | 240 fps | The Poco X5 Pro can record slow-motion footage at a much higher frame rate. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar battery endurance. |
| Charging | 15W | 67W | The Poco X5 Pro charges much faster, resulting in shorter charging times. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 14 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | The A04s will eventually have a newer operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Poco X5 Pro supports the newest generation of Wi-Fi, providing faster and more efficient network usage. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Poco X5 Pro offers slightly more advanced and efficient Bluetooth capabilities, including better audio codec support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 128/256 GB | The Poco X5 Pro starts with more storage and has higher capacity options, offering more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 6/8 GB | The Poco X5 Pro has significantly more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and performance, especially with multiple apps running. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Poco X5 Pro offers a better audio experience through its superior features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Poco X5 Pro offers superior screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Poco X5 Pro features a more comprehensive set of sensors, useful in certain games and for advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: The A04s offers a slightly wider aperture on both the front and rear cameras and eventually gets the latest Android update.
- Trade-offs: The A04s has a low-resolution display, basic performance, and lacks advanced features found in the Poco X5 Pro. Its video capabilities are also rather limited.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro:
- Strengths: The Poco X5 Pro boasts a significantly superior AMOLED display with higher resolution and refresh rate, much faster performance due to its Snapdragon chipset and has much faster charging, a wide angle camera, higher quality video recording and many more advanced features.
- Trade-offs: It does not have a dedicated depth sensor, has a smaller aperture, and its Android update path isn't as long.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best for: Users who are on a very tight budget, prioritize battery life, and need a basic device for calls, messaging, and light social media use.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, communication, occasional photos, and watching basic video content.
- Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro:
- Best for: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and advanced features. Gamers, media enthusiasts, and those who need a fast, capable phone without paying flagship prices.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, high-resolution media consumption, taking photos and videos in various conditions, and using more complex apps.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- How important is display quality to you?
- If you value sharp, vibrant visuals, the Poco X5 Pro’s AMOLED display is a clear winner. If you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, the A04s display will suffice.
- What level of performance do you need?
- If you are a heavy user, multitask frequently, or enjoy mobile gaming, the Poco X5 Pro's superior chipset and RAM are a must-have. If you only use your phone for light tasks, the A04s would suffice.
- What is your budget?
- If you are on a very tight budget, the A04s offers a basic smartphone experience. If you can invest more for superior features, the Poco X5 Pro offers significantly better value.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Shopper: If your priority is a low price and basic phone functionality, the Samsung Galaxy A04s would be the only choice here, though the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro will give much better value.
- Casual User: If you use your phone for messaging, social media, and light browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is a fine choice, but the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro will offer a vastly more premium experience at a higher cost.
- Power User: For gamers, media enthusiasts, or users who need a fast and responsive device, the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro is the clear choice.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I would definitely choose the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro. The difference in performance is night and day. The AMOLED display, the 120Hz refresh rate, the significantly more powerful processor, and the fast charging make it a much more enjoyable device to use. I also prioritize video quality and the ability to record in 4k is a massive plus for me. While the A04s is a decent budget option, the Poco X5 Pro offers a vastly superior experience that makes it worth the additional cost. The extra RAM, storage, and advanced features would all improve my daily workflow, so this is a no-brainer for me.
