1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-01 | 2022-09-06 | The Poco M5s is 8 months newer, potentially offering slightly more updated software and features. |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.1 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | Mi 11 is slightly taller and thinner. Poco M5s is slightly thicker, impacting in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 196g | 178.8g | Poco M5s is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.81" | 6.43" | Mi 11 offers a larger display for more immersive media consumption, gaming and easier multitasking. Poco M5s is more compact and pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Mi 11 displays significantly sharper images and text. The difference is noticeable to the naked eye. |
| PPI | 515 | 409 | Mi 11's higher pixel density results in more detailed and crisp visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colours and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Mi 11 offers a much smoother scrolling experience, better for gaming and fast-paced content viewing. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1100 nits | Mi 11 is significantly brighter, much more visible under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mi 11 has a significantly more powerful processor, handling demanding tasks with ease and better future proofing. Poco M5s will handle daily tasks well. |
| AnTuTu Score | 806,139 | 418,627 | Mi 11 offers significantly superior performance, suitable for gaming and intensive applications. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mi 11's GPU is substantially more powerful for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4600mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M5s may have slightly better battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 55W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Mi 11 charges much faster. |
| Features | 50W wireless, 10W reverse | Reverse charging | Mi 11 offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering extra flexibility. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.85, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | Mi 11's main camera has higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, capturing better details and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.3, 1/3.4" | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | Mi 11 has higher resolution, and wider aperture. Poco M5s has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 13MP, f/2.3, 1/3.06" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Mi 11 has higher resolution wide angle lens and smaller sensor. Poco M5s has a wider aperture and larger sensor. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Poco M5s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.0, 1/5" | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Mi 11 has a higher resolution macro lens, captures more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | Mi 11 can shoot higher resolution videos and offers more frame rate options. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 112 | Not Tested | Mi 11's front camera has been evaluated by DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Laser AF, RAW | Night mode | Mi 11 features OIS, Laser Autofocus, RAW capture. Poco M5s has a dedicated night mode for low-light photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 14) | Android 12 | Poco M5s has a slightly newer Android version out of the box. However, the Mi 11 is also upgradable to Android 14 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | Mi 11 supports the newer WiFi 6 standard, offering faster connection speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | Mi 11 has a more recent Bluetooth version for better power efficiency and audio codecs. |
| GPS | More Satellites | Fewer Satellites | Mi 11 has more precise positioning due to additional satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both offer up to 256GB storage. Poco M5s has a lower 64GB option. |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Mi 11 has more RAM options, improving multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo, Hi-Res, 2 mics | Stereo, Hi-Res | Mi 11 offers slightly improved audio recording through its extra microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic sensor | Side-mounted sensor | Poco M5s has a more convenient and generally faster side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | Mi 11 has significantly better screen protection, more scratch and crack resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Heart rate | None | Mi 11 has an additional heart rate sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Mi 11 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 chipset provides much higher processing power, smoother gaming, and faster app loading.
- Higher Resolution and Refresh Rate Display: Visually sharper and smoother experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility, especially in sunny conditions.
- Superior Main Camera: Higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture result in better image quality, particularly in low light.
- Advanced Camera Features OIS, Laser AF, RAW capture provide greater creative control, and image stabilization.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Significantly faster wired charging and the addition of wireless charging provides more convenience.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is more resistant to scratches and cracks.
- Additional sensors: Heart rate sensor and more satelite support for better gps.
- Better Audio Dual microphone for improved recording quality.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer slightly better battery life.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers better portrait photography.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Often considered more convenient than a basic in-display scanner.
- Newer Android Version May receive software updates for a longer period.
- More affordable: Generally offered at a lower price.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Mi 11: Sacrifices weight and potentially battery life for performance and higher-end features.
- Poco M5s: Compromises on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Mi 11 - Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask, run demanding apps, and play high-end mobile games.
- Media Enthusiasts: Individuals who value high-quality visual and audio experiences and watch a lot of videos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want the best possible camera performance on their phone and want to edit their photos professionally.
- Users needing connectivity: Want the fastest wifi possible and a solid gps connection
- Users who need a premium experience: Value a high-end build and quality.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming with demanding graphics
- Editing 4K or even 8K video on the go
- Professional photography and videography
- Consuming high-resolution movies and shows
- Multi-tasking with several intensive apps
Xiaomi Poco M5s - Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for a capable smartphone at a more affordable price.
- Everyday Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and communication.
- Users who prioritize battery : Users who want a larger battery that may last longer.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone : The device is lighter and will be better for long periods of use.
- Casual Photographers: Those who take photos occasionally and don't need advanced camera features.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media and web browsing
- Casual photography and videography
- Basic mobile gaming
- Watching movies or shows
- Long battery life for daily use
Price-to-Value:
- Mi 11: Offers a premium experience with high performance, better display, and advanced camera, but at a higher price.
- Poco M5s : Provides good value for everyday users with its lower price tag, sacrificing performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for your typical use? (Gaming, heavy apps vs. basic tasks)
- How important are display quality and camera performance for you? (Sharpness, color accuracy, low-light photos)
- How important are additional features like wireless charging and screen protection to you? (Value for convinience)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance and Camera): If you prioritize gaming, demanding applications, and camera quality, the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Balanced Usage on a Budget): If you're looking for a good all-around phone for everyday tasks at a more affordable price and better battery, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is more suitable.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Usage on a premium price): If you are looking for a balanced phone that can do everything at a very high level the Xiaomi Mi 11 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Mi 11. While the Poco M5s has its merits, especially in terms of weight, and potentially battery life, the Mi 11 offers a substantially superior user experience in almost every other area that matters to me.
My main reasons are:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a significant performance advantage. This is particularly important for smooth multitasking and future proofing.
- Display: The higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate of the Mi 11 display create a visually more pleasing and responsive experience which I value when I am gaming or watching videos.
- Camera Quality: The higher resolution main sensor and better lens offer more detailed photos and better performance in challenging lighting conditions, which is important to me.
- Overall premium experience: Wireless charging, a brighter screen, and superior build quality, alongside much better features, provide a more complete and premium feel.
While the Poco M5s is a more budget friendly option, I am not willing to compromise in the areas of performance, display and camera quality. Therefore, the Xiaomi Mi 11 would be my choice as it fits my needs much better.
