Alright, let's dive deep into the nitty-gritty of the Xiaomi Poco M5 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. It's always fascinating to see how two phones from the same manufacturer stack up, especially when they're targeting a similar price bracket. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed choice:
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones compare across key categories:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-13 | 2023-08-04 | Redmi 12 5G is newer, meaning potentially more up-to-date software and features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable gimmicks. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 5G is slightly taller and thinner; Poco M5 has a slightly larger volume and may feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 201g | 199g | Negligible difference; both are relatively hefty, but common for phones in this class. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.58" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 5G offers a slightly more immersive experience for media consumption, while Poco M5 offers a slightly smaller and compact form factor |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 1080 x 2460 | Both provide sharp visuals; slight difference is practically unnoticeable in day-to-day usage. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 396 | Both offer crisp, clear text and images. Negligible real-world difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Standard LCD technology; similar viewing experiences in terms of colors and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations; good for everyday use and light gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, which is not sufficient for direct sunlight viewing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Redmi 12 5G's newer chip is generally more efficient and slightly more powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 414,500 | 456,552 | Redmi 12 5G offers a modest performance edge, noticeable in multitasking and gaming scenarios. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 613 | Both are mid-range GPUs; the Adreno 613 in the Redmi 12 5G will offer slightly better gaming performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both offer good battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Charging times will be relatively similar; expect a couple of hours to fully charge either phone. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Both offer similar camera quality, suitable for general photography, with no clear advantage of one over the other. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Similar selfie quality; suitable for video calls and social media. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have similar depth sensors for bokeh effects; not a major differentiating factor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Poco M5 offers an additional macro camera, for close-up shots, but may not be used often. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both are limited to 1080p at 30fps. However, Redmi 12 5G offers video stabilization and slow-motion video. |
| DXOMARK | N/A | Mobile: 63, Photo: 57, Video: 76 | Redmi 12 5G has a reasonable camera performance according to DXOMARK with a better video score than its photo score. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Triple camera, Ultra stable video, Manual focus, Front Flash, Night Mode | Dual camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Panorama | Different camera features; Poco M5 offers 4K Video and a dedicated night mode, while Redmi 12 5G comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer version of Android out of the box, offering a more refined experience, and both will be upgraded to 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac; MiMO | 802.11ac | Both have comparable WiFi support; Poco M5 has an additional Wi-Fi MiMO feature. |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE | 5.0 LE | Poco M5 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering slightly improved performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco M5 supports additional navigation satellites for better GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality, ideal for managing two different phone numbers. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Redmi 12 5G has more storage options, which will be useful for users with many media files. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Redmi 12 5G offers an 8 GB option, which will be suitable for multitasking and gamers. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD card; users will need to choose the internal storage they need. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio | Basic audio | Both have similar audio capabilities, suitable for general usage. |
| Security | |||
| Biometric Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Standard security feature; both are easy to use and are convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi 12 5G comes with a superior screen protection, making it more resistant to scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensor Suite | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have a good sensor configuration; Poco M5 comes with a light sensor, and Redmi 12 5G comes with an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5: Strengths
- Slightly More Compact: The Poco M5 is a bit smaller, which might be more comfortable for those with smaller hands or who prefer a pocketable phone.
- Slightly Better Camera Feature Set: The Poco M5 has a dedicated macro lens, 4k video recording, night mode, and front flash.
- Newer Bluetooth and More Satellite Systems: The Poco M5 features the latest Bluetooth standard for better performance and a broader range of satellite systems for more precise location tracking.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G: Strengths
- Newer and Faster Chipset: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 provides more power and efficiency than the Helio G99.
- Larger Display: The Redmi 12 5G offers a slightly larger display, better for media consumption.
- More Storage: The 256GB option provides ample space for photos, videos, and apps.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 adds extra durability.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Better video recording quality.
- Newer Operating System: The Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer version of Android, making the phone more updated.
Trade-offs
- The Redmi 12 5G trades a macro lens for Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
- The Poco M5 is negligibly cheaper than Redmi 12 5G, but features a slightly lower AnTuTu score.
- Neither phone supports expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5:
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Good overall value for the price, providing most needed features.
- Users Who Like Taking Close-Up Pictures: The macro lens can be useful for macro photography.
- Users Who Need 4k Video and Night Mode: The Poco M5 will be a better choice for users who value these features.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G:
- Users Who Value Performance and Speed: The Snapdragon chipset makes the phone faster.
- Media Enthusiasts: Larger display, good for streaming and gaming.
- Users Who Value Durability: The glass protection adds extra durability.
- Users Who Take a Lot of Videos: The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and slow-motion capabilities are great for those who like recording videos.
- Users Who Want the Latest Android: The Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer operating system.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three crucial questions to help you decide:
- How important is Performance?
- If performance is a priority, the Redmi 12 5G with its Snapdragon chipset is the better choice.
- Do you value extra camera features or storage?
- If you like using the macro lens or 4K recording, choose the Poco M5. If you need more storage or better video quality, go with the Redmi 12 5G.
- Is display size and durability a key consideration?
- If you value a slightly larger screen and additional screen protection, the Redmi 12 5G is the obvious choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Everyday User: Redmi 12 5G due to its better performance, more storage, and a larger display
- Casual Gamer: Redmi 12 5G offers more gaming performance because of its chip and GPU.
- Photography Enthusiast: Poco M5 offers additional camera features, although not as complete.
- Media Consumer: Redmi 12 5G has a larger display for a better viewing experience.
- Budget-Conscious Shopper: Poco M5 offers more features in a budget-friendly package.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. Here's why: The performance boost from the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is quite significant for day-to-day use and gaming. Combine that with a larger display for content consumption, more storage space for photos and videos, plus the added benefit of Corning Gorilla Glass protection and Optical Image Stabilization, and it just feels like a more future-proof and versatile device. While the Poco M5 is a solid phone, especially if you prioritize specific camera features, I think the Redmi 12 5G strikes a better balance of performance, usability, and durability for most users.
