Xiaomi Poco M5 vs Honor Magic6 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 13, 2022 January 18, 2024
Release Year 2022 2024

Physical

Volume 111.08 cm³ 109.63 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.27 "/g 3.02 "/g
Weight 201 g 225 g
Height 164 mm 162.5 mm
Width 76.1 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple

Display

Screen Size 6.58 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2408 1280 x 2800
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.6 % 91.6 %
Pixel Density 401 PPI 453 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 500 nits 1600 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 5000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 115.48 mAh/in² 121.11 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.01 mAh/cm³ 51.08 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5600 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPU Mali-G57 MC2 Adreno 750

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A 1.2
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 14
Maximum OS Version 14 18

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into the specs and see what these two phones, the Xiaomi Poco M5 and the Honor Magic6 Pro, bring to the table. I'll break it down like we're sitting down for a coffee, comparing notes, and figuring out which one would better fit your daily life.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on real-world implications of the specs:

FeatureXiaomi Poco M5Honor Magic6 ProReal-World Implications
Design
Launch Date2022-09-132024-01-18Honor Magic6 Pro is much newer; Expect more software updates and modern features.
Dimensions164x76.1x8.9mm162.5x75.8x8.9mmPoco M5 is slightly taller but both have similar width and thickness.
Weight201g225gPoco M5 is lighter, which could be more comfortable for long use.
Display
Size6.58"6.8"Honor has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1080x24081280x2800Honor's display is significantly sharper; text and images will appear more crisp.
Pixel Density (PPI)401453Honor has higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display
TechnologyIPS LCDOLEDHonor’s OLED offers superior blacks, better colors, and potentially better battery efficiency.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzHonor's higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Honor has a much more powerful chipset; Expect significantly faster performance.
AnTuTu Score414,5002,069,877Honor is dramatically faster, handling demanding games and heavy multitasking with ease.
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 750Honor's GPU is much more capable; Expect significantly smoother graphics in games.
Camera
Standard Camera50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76"50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3"Honor has a larger sensor and wider aperture; Expect better low-light performance and image quality.
TelephotoN/A180MP, f/2.6Honor has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and better portrait shots.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.250MP, f/2.0, 1/2.51"Honor has a much higher resolution selfie camera with better low-light capabilities.
Portrait Mode2MP depthN/AXiaomi has a depth camera for portrait shots; not as useful as Honor's Telephoto camera
Macro Lens2MPN/AXiaomi has a dedicated macro lens; Not very high-resolution.
Wide Angle + MacroN/A50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88"Honor offers wide angle macro; significantly more useful than just the dedicated macro lens
Video1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fpsHonor records video at much higher quality and resolution, with better stabilization and slow-motion options.
DXOMark ScoresN/AMobile: 158, Selfie: 151Honor’s camera scores significantly higher indicating better image quality overall.
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5600mAhHonor has a larger battery; Likely to provide longer usage between charges.
Charging18W Fast80W FastHonor has significantly faster charging; Less time waiting for the phone to charge.
Other featuresNon-removable66W wireless, reverse wired and wireless, E1 chip, non-removableHonor has the benefits of reverse wired and wireless charging as well as wireless charging, and the E1 chip for increased power efficiency
Other
OSAndroid 12Android 14Honor's newer OS means more recent features and more long term support.
WiFiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 7Honor offers faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks, and access to the 6GHz band..
RAM4/6 GB12/16 GBHonor offers significantly more RAM for much better multitasking and overall performance.
Storage64/128 GB256/512/1024 GBHonor has much more internal storage; More apps, photos, and videos can be stored.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phones offer expandable storage.
AudioBasicStereo speakers, DTS/DTS:XHonor will provide better audio quality and immersion due to stereo speakers and DTS enhancement.
SecuritySide FPBasic FPXiaomi has side mounted sensor, Honor has a basic sensor.
SensorsFP, Prox, Accel, CompFP, Prox, Accel, Comp, Gyro, BarometerHonor includes Gyroscope and Barometer, ideal for gaming and environmental data.

2. Key Insights

  • Xiaomi Poco M5: Its main draw is affordability and decent performance for the price. The Mediatek Helio G99 is a capable chip for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The display is fine for the price point, and it's got a reasonably large battery. However, its camera is basic, and it lacks modern features like wireless charging and advanced connectivity.
  • Honor Magic6 Pro: This is a powerhouse flagship. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a top-tier processor, making the phone incredibly fast and capable. The display is superior in every way, and the camera system is excellent, offering great low-light performance, versatile zoom capabilities, and high-quality video. You also get premium features like wireless charging and enhanced audio.

How Differences Translate:

  • Everyday Usage: The Poco M5 is suitable for basic users. You can browse the web, use social media, and play some games, but it will feel less snappy than the Honor. The Honor provides a buttery smooth experience.
  • Photography: If photography is important, the Honor is significantly better. Its larger sensor, wider aperture, and versatile zoom lenses mean you’ll capture much better photos and videos, especially in challenging conditions.
  • Gaming: The Magic6 Pro will run any game you throw at it flawlessly. The Poco M5 will struggle with more demanding games and won't be able to run most games on their highest settings.
  • Battery Life: The Honor has a slightly larger battery and is likely to last longer due to the E1 chip for enhanced efficiency. The super-fast charging on the Honor means you'll spend very little time plugged in.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Xiaomi Poco M5:
    • Best For: Budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for basic tasks. Great for students or those who aren’t heavy mobile users.
    • Use Cases: Web browsing, social media, light gaming, daily communication.
  • Honor Magic6 Pro:
    • Best For: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who want the best possible performance. It's a great choice for those who want a top-of-the-line smartphone experience and need premium features.
    • Use Cases: Heavy multitasking, high-end gaming, professional photography and videography, media creation, and for anyone who values speed and high performance.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Three Questions to Ask Yourself:

  1. What is my budget? If you're on a tight budget, the Poco M5 is the more affordable option. If not, then the Honor might be right for you.
  2. How do I primarily use my phone? If it's for basic tasks, the Poco M5 might be enough, however the Honor would still be better. If you use your phone a lot, then the Honor is the clear winner.
  3. How important are features like camera quality and speed? If those are top priorities, then the Honor is the only choice for you.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget User: If you primarily need a phone for communication, social media, and browsing, the Xiaomi Poco M5 is a decent budget option.
  • Power User: If you need top-tier performance, advanced camera capabilities, and a premium experience, then the Honor Magic6 Pro is the best choice by far.
  • Photography Buff: If camera performance is a top priority, then the Honor Magic6 Pro is the better option thanks to its advanced lenses and better sensor quality.
  • Gamer: The Honor Magic6 Pro is the clear choice for gamers due to its superior processor and graphics.

What I Would Choose and Why

If I were choosing between these two phones, it would be the Honor Magic6 Pro, hands down. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone extensively for various tasks, I would value the following:

  • Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a beast, and the extra RAM would make a massive difference for the type of multitasking I do.
  • Display: As a journalist, I consume a lot of media and the OLED display and higher resolution would offer a far better experience.
  • Camera: I often use my phone for quick photography and video and the Honor's camera system would be far more versatile and produce better results. The ability to zoom and capture good low light shots are vital.
  • Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery is a bonus, but the 80W fast charging and wireless charging are game-changers for me, allowing me to keep my phone charged throughout the day without long downtimes.

While the Xiaomi Poco M5 is more affordable, the gap in performance, camera quality, display, and overall user experience is too wide. I would happily invest more to get the extra functionality that the Magic6 Pro would provide. It's not just about the specs; it's about having a device that can keep up with my fast-paced lifestyle and provides a premium experience. It would be a much better experience for everything.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.