Xiaomi Poco M5 vs Motorola ThinkPhone - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 13, 2022 January 29, 2023
Release Year 2022 2023

Physical

Volume 111.08 cm³ 98.06 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.27 "/g 3.5 "/g
Weight 201 g 188.5 g
Height 164 mm 158.8 mm
Width 76.1 mm 74.4 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Green
  • Carbon Black

Display

Screen Size 6.58 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1080 x 2408 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.6 % 89 %
Pixel Density 401 PPI 399 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 144 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 500 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 115.48 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.01 mAh/cm³ 50.99 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Mali-G57 MC2 Adreno 730

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 12 13
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

Okay, let's dive deep into a comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5 and the Motorola ThinkPhone. I'll aim to break down these specs in a way that's both technically detailed and relatable for everyday users.

Smartphone Showdown: Xiaomi Poco M5 vs. Motorola ThinkPhone

Here’s a comprehensive look at how these two smartphones stack up against each other, focusing on what really matters for users.

1. Specifications Breakdown

FeatureXiaomi Poco M5Motorola ThinkPhoneReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mmThinkPhone is more compact and pocketable. M5 is larger, may feel bulkier in hand.
Weight201g188.5gThinkPhone is slightly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use.
Foldable TypeStandardStandardBoth are traditional smartphones; no folding or unique form factors.
Display
Size6.58"6.6"Negligible difference in screen size; both offer an immersive viewing experience.
Resolution1080 x 24081080 x 2400Both offer sharp, detailed visuals with minor differences in pixel density.
PPI401399Both have very similar pixel density, expect sharp text and images.
TechnologyIPS LCDP-OLEDThinkPhone wins here: P-OLED offers superior contrast, richer colors, and deeper blacks compared to IPS LCD.
Refresh Rate90Hz144HzThinkPhone wins here: 144Hz provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsThinkPhone wins here: Significantly better visibility under direct sunlight; M5 is hard to use in bright environments.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)ThinkPhone wins here: Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a flagship chip, offering far superior speed and efficiency for gaming and heavy tasks.
AnTuTu Score414,5001,232,700ThinkPhone wins here: Over 3x performance in benchmarks; smoother multitasking and quicker loading.
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 730ThinkPhone wins here: Adreno 730 offers a better experience for graphics-intensive applications and games.
Battery Life
Capacity5000 mAh5000 mAhBoth offer similar battery capacities, expect similar endurance for general usage.
Charging18W Fast Charging68W Fast ChargingThinkPhone wins here: Much faster charging; get more power in less time.
Wireless ChargingNo15W wireless chargingThinkPhone wins here: Adds convenience for users with wireless charging pads.
Camera
Rear Camera (Main)50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00 µmThinkPhone wins here: Larger sensor and pixel size mean better low-light performance and overall image quality.
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.232MP, f/2.45ThinkPhone wins here: Far greater detail and sharpness in selfies.
Portrait Camera2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Similar performance for depth sensing.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.4N/AXiaomi Poco M5 has a dedicated Macro Lens; useful for close-up shots.
Wide Angle CameraN/A13MP, f/2.4ThinkPhone wins here: Ability to capture wider scenes.
Video1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, various HDR/EISThinkPhone wins here: Significant leap in video capabilities. Higher resolution and features for a more professional setup.
DxOMarkN/AN/ACannot provide camera quality comparison without DxOMark data.
Camera FeaturesBasic FeaturesAdvanced FeaturesThinkPhone wins here: Offers advanced features for more control and creativity.
Software
OSAndroid 12, Max Ver. 14Android 13ThinkPhone has a newer OS out of the box.
Connectivity
WiFi802.11acWiFi 6 (802.11ax)ThinkPhone wins here: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections.
Bluetooth5.35.2Xiaomi has a slightly newer version but both offer stable connections.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, GalileoBoth have good positioning; ThinkPhone offers additional SUPL support.
SIMDual SIM Dual StandbyDual SIM Dual StandbyBoth support two SIM cards.
Storage & RAM
Internal Storage64 GB / 128 GB256 GBThinkPhone wins here: More storage for media and apps.
RAM4 GB / 6 GB8 GBThinkPhone wins here: Better multitasking with more RAM.
Expandable StorageNoNoNo option to increase storage on either phone.
Audio
Audio QualityBasic AudioDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 MicThinkPhone wins here: Significantly better audio quality for a superior media experience.
Security
SecuritySide-mounted fingerprintBasic fingerprint sensorXiaomi features the better option by being side mounted as opposed to a rear mounted fingerprint reader.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass VictusThinkPhone wins here: Superior durability and scratch resistance.
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, CompassFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeM5 offers an additional compass sensor. ThinkPhone has a Gyroscope sensor for better motion tracking.
### 2. Key Insights
  • Xiaomi Poco M5:
    • Strengths: Affordable, decent performance for everyday tasks, large battery, and offers a macro camera.
    • Trade-offs: Lower-quality display, slower charging, and a less powerful processor. The lack of brightness for outdoor use is a real drawback.
  • Motorola ThinkPhone:
    • Strengths: Flagship-level performance, superior display, better camera system, faster charging, higher storage and RAM, enhanced audio capabilities, and robust build with Gorilla Glass Victus.
    • Trade-offs: Potentially higher price point, may not have the dedicated macro lens.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Xiaomi Poco M5:
    • Best For: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for day-to-day tasks, social media, and casual gaming.
    • Use Cases: Students, first-time smartphone buyers, or users who prioritize affordability.
  • Motorola ThinkPhone:
    • Best For: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who need a high-performance device for work or entertainment.
    • Use Cases: Professionals, heavy app users, gamers, media consumers, and those who need a reliable device for travel or outdoor use.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help you decide:

  1. What's your budget? The Poco M5 is significantly more affordable, while the ThinkPhone is a premium device with a higher cost.
  2. What do you use your phone for? If you mainly browse social media and send messages, the Poco M5 might suffice. If you need top-tier performance, the ThinkPhone is your pick.
  3. Do you value camera quality and multimedia consumption? The ThinkPhone is far superior in these areas, thanks to its better display, camera, and audio capabilities.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is the biggest constraint, the Xiaomi Poco M5 is a solid option for basic smartphone use.
  • Performance-Oriented User: For power users who need smooth multitasking and gaming, the Motorola ThinkPhone is the clear choice.
  • Multimedia Lover: If you value a high-quality display, audio, and camera, the Motorola ThinkPhone is worth the extra investment.
  • Outdoor user: If you use your phone regularly in bright sunlight, you need to pick the ThinkPhone as the Poco M5 has a very poor screen brightness.

Final Verdict

If it was my money, I would choose the Motorola ThinkPhone. Although it will cost more, the performance difference between the two phones is staggering. The ThinkPhone would provide a much better user experience with the display and the chipset difference being very significant, with the added bonus of better cameras and audio quality. The Poco M5 has its merits but only if the budget is the most important factor for a basic phone.

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.