Okay, let's break down the Xiaomi Poco M5 and the Redmi Note 12 4G. As usual, I'll be going beyond the spec sheet to show you how these differences actually feel in your hand and in your pocket.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-13 | 2023-03-30 | The Redmi Note 12 4G is newer, potentially offering more recent software and features. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm | The Redmi Note 12 4G is slightly taller and thinner, making it feel more slender. The Poco M5 is a bit more bulky. |
| Weight | 201g | 183.5g | The Redmi Note 12 4G is significantly lighter, which will be noticeable during extended use and when carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.58" | 6.67" | Both have spacious screens; the Redmi Note 12 4G’s is negligibly larger, but not by much. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer crisp, Full HD experiences; differences are too minor to be noticeable to the eye. |
| PPI | 401 | 395 | Both displays are sharp enough for clear text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED gives you richer blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. AMOLED will also be more efficient, specifically for dark themes. The Redmi Note 12 4G is a clear winner here. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Redmi Note 12 4G offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. A key difference for gamers who want the fastest response. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Redmi Note 12 4G is much easier to read outdoors, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 | Snapdragon 685 | The Poco M5's Mediatek is generally more powerful on paper, leading to slightly faster performance and smoother day-to-day usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 414,500 | 338,900 | The Poco M5 benchmarks significantly higher, offering snappier performance, faster app launches. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 610 | The Poco M5's GPU will provide a slightly better gaming experience due to its raw power. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both feature a solid 50MP main camera for everyday photography. Similar performance can be expected. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.45 | The Redmi Note 12 4G should offer better selfies with higher resolution; however, the Poco M5's slightly wider aperture can help in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Redmi Note 12 4G provides a wider perspective for group shots and landscape photos that the Poco M5 is missing. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Poco M5 can create background blur for portraits, though it's not as critical for most users. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer basic macro capabilities. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Video recording capabilities are similar across the board. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 63 | Redmi Note 12 4G has been tested on DxoMark and has an okay rating overall, showing it is slightly above average. The Poco M5 hasn't been tested. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Ultra stable video, PDAF | None of the above | The Poco M5 has more versatile features, including 4k recording and PDAF for faster focusing. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer all-day battery life for most users. Similar endurance is expected. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 33W fast charging | The Redmi Note 12 4G charges significantly faster, getting you back to full capacity more quickly. |
| Features | None | Reverse Charging | The Redmi Note 12 4G can act as a power bank to charge other devices, a niche but useful feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Redmi Note 12 4G ships with a more recent version of Android, which will provide a slightly newer user experience and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi MiMO | None | The Poco M5 has Wi-Fi MiMO, which provides faster and more stable WiFi connections in compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 | The Poco M5 has a newer version of Bluetooth, allowing for faster pairing and a more reliable connection. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | The Redmi Note 12 4G offers more storage, with a 256GB option for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | The Redmi Note 12 4G has a slightly more powerful variant with 8GB of RAM for power users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, making the Redmi Note 12 4G slightly more compelling if you need more internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | The devices both offer the same basic audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side Fingerprint | Side Fingerprint | Both devices offer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor as their main biometric security mechanism. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 3 | The Redmi Note 12 4G offers slightly better scratch protection, which might be important to some users. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Redmi Note 12 4G offers more sensor options, with a gyroscope sensor for better motion control and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Poco M5: This phone is the performance champion on paper, thanks to the more powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset and higher AnTuTu benchmark score. It also boasts the newest version of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi MiMO, and slightly more camera features like 4K video recording, a rare find in this price range. The Poco M5 will excel if you are gaming and multitasking with multiple apps.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G: The Redmi Note 12 4G shines with its AMOLED display, providing a superior viewing experience with vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and high brightness for outdoor visibility. It also features a higher resolution selfie camera, reverse charging, a 120hz refresh rate and a larger storage option of 256GB. This device excels with its better-rounded feature set that is more suitable to the average user.
Trade-offs:
* **Poco M5**: Sacrifices display quality and charging speed for better raw performance. It also has less comprehensive screen protection.
* **Redmi Note 12 4G**: Trades a bit of raw processing power for a better display and more rounded everyday experience.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- For the performance-focused user or gamer (Poco M5): If you prioritize raw speed, smoother multitasking, and the ability to play demanding games, the Poco M5 is a great choice. The slightly faster chip and more comprehensive camera features are a better fit if you frequently multitask and record a lot of videos.
- For the everyday user or media consumer (Redmi Note 12 4G): If you value a beautiful display for streaming videos, browsing social media, or photography, the Redmi Note 12 4G is a better pick. Its AMOLED panel and faster charging make it more enjoyable for general daily use and media consumption. The inclusion of a wide-angle lens is also useful for the average user that needs a broader perspective in their photos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help guide your decision:
- What is your biggest priority?
- Raw performance/gaming: Choose the Poco M5.
- Display quality and media consumption: Choose the Redmi Note 12 4G.
- How important is battery charging time?
- If you hate long charging times, the Redmi Note 12 4G is the better option with faster charging.
- If you don't mind longer charge times, the Poco M5 is a great choice.
- What kind of content will you be creating?
- If you will mostly be taking standard photos, the devices are both decent choices.
- If you want more versatile features like 4k recording, the Poco M5 is a better choice.
- If you prefer wide-angle shots, the Redmi Note 12 4G is better suited for your needs.
Final Thoughts & My Choice
Both phones offer a great experience for the price.
If I were choosing, I'd personally go with the Redmi Note 12 4G. Here's why: For me, the AMOLED display is a game-changer; it makes everything look so much better, from watching videos to scrolling through social media. I like to consume a lot of content when I am travelling, so the AMOLED display would make my commutes more entertaining. The lighter weight and faster charging are also pluses in daily use. While the Poco M5 has slightly more raw processing power, the real-world difference is not significant enough to outweigh the beautiful display offered by the Redmi Note 12 4G. I am also a fan of wide-angle shots, so the camera is more well rounded for my needs. Ultimately, the Redmi Note 12 4G offers the more refined experience for how I would use my smartphone on a daily basis.
