Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. These two devices occupy very different spaces in the smartphone world, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses will be key in deciding which one is right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into their specs, highlighting the practical impact for users:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is larger and thicker, likely less comfortable in one hand for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 225g | The Poco M5s is significantly lighter, making it easier to use for extended periods. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard slab phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger screen offers more immersive media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals, suitable for daily use, though not the highest available resolution in the market. |
| PPI | 409 | 388 | The Poco M5s offers a marginally sharper image due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides much smoother animations and better responsiveness, ideal for gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher brightness makes it much better for outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro's significantly more powerful chip offers drastically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much superior performance, outperforming the Poco M5s by around 383% in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU is much more capable for graphically demanding tasks, like high-end gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Poco M5s has a higher resolution, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor and pixel size, generally leading to better low-light performance. |
| Front Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32MP, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher resolution selfie camera provides more detail. The Poco M5s has bigger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 0.70µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides 3X optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects; The Poco M5s has no dedicated telephoto camera |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | None | Poco M5s includes a dedicated wide-angle lens; The ROG Phone 8 Pro has no dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Lens (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Poco M5s has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect; The ROG Phone 8 Pro has no dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Poco M5s has a dedicated macro lens for closeup photos; The ROG Phone 8 Pro has no dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro combines Wide Angle and Macro functionality. The Poco M5s has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers higher video resolution and stabilization for high-quality video recording. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | The Poco M5s can reverse charge other devices via wired connection |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has the latest Android version. |
| Max OS Version | None | 16 | ROG Phone 8 Pro will receive more OS updates than the Poco M5s |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports newer, faster Wi-Fi standards, providing better speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth standard with additional features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more precise location tracking by supporting more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB, 128GB or 256GB | 512GB or 1024GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides much more storage for apps, games, and media. |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB or 8GB | 16GB or 24GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have stereo speakers; The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides enhanced audio immersion, while Poco M5s offers higher resolution audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Poco M5s has a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro features the latest screen protection for increased durability. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Poco M5s features a ultrasonic proximity sensor, while the ROG phone 8 Pro offers a proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s
Strengths:
- Affordable: The Poco M5s is designed to be budget-friendly without compromising on essentials.
- Lightweight and Ergonomic: Its lighter build and smaller form factor make it comfortable for one-handed use.
- Decent Display: The AMOLED screen delivers good color reproduction, especially given its price range.
- Versatile Camera: The quad-camera system offers flexibility, including a wide-angle and macro lens.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices via wired connection
Limitations:
- Lower Performance: Its Mediatek Helio G95 chipset is not ideal for demanding games or heavy multitasking.
- Older Software: Running on Android 12, it might not receive the latest updates.
- Standard 60Hz Refresh Rate: The display is not as smooth as higher refresh rate alternatives.
- Basic Security: The fingerprint sensor is basic and is less secure compared to other available biometric security.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
Strengths:
- Extreme Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides top-tier performance, ideal for gaming and heavy tasks.
- Superior Display: The 165Hz refresh rate and higher brightness ensure a premium visual experience.
- High-Quality Audio: The advanced audio features and 3 microphones enhance media consumption and communication.
- Advanced Camera Features: The telephoto lens, superior video recording, and optical image stabilization cater to photography enthusiasts.
- Future Proof: It runs on the newest Android version and will get 2 more updates
- Large Battery and Fast Charging: The combination of a larger battery and faster charging is ideal for heavy use.
- Premium Build: Uses a more modern and protective screen material.
Limitations:
- High Price: Its top-of-the-line features come at a premium price point.
- Bulky Design: Its larger size and weight might not be ideal for all users.
- No Wide Angle or Macro Lens: Some camera features are missing for those that like the flexibility of multiple lenses
- Basic Biometric Security: The fingerprint sensor is basic and is less secure compared to other available biometric security.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a functional phone without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and media consumption, not very intensive usage.
- Users that require multiple camera lenses: For users who value multiple camera lenses in their photography.
- Users that require reverse charging: Can act as an emergency powerbank
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Gamers: Designed for high-performance gaming with its powerful processor and smooth display.
- Power Users: Suitable for those who need a device for heavy multitasking, video editing, and demanding apps.
- Mobile Photographers: Those who value top-tier camera capabilities, including optical zoom and advanced video features.
- Users who prioritize future proofing: For people that prefer to use their phone for a longer time, and want access to the latest features and software.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
What's your primary use case?
- Casual Use: If you mainly browse, text, and watch videos, the Poco M5s is sufficient.
- Heavy Gaming/Productivity: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a better investment.
What’s your budget?
- Budget-Conscious: The Poco M5s is more cost-effective.
- Premium Investment: If you don't mind spending extra, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the way to go.
How important are camera features and performance to you?
- Basic Photography: The Poco M5s is sufficient for everyday photos.
- Advanced Photography: The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much better capabilities.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: A student on a budget. The Xiaomi Poco M5s will be the most economical choice and will fulfill the daily tasks for the majority of students.
- Scenario 2: A mobile gamer seeking the best gaming performance. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner due to its superior processing power, display refresh rate, and gaming-focused features.
- Scenario 3: A photography enthusiast. The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, with its better camera quality and zoom capabilities, is the preferred option.
My Pick
If I were choosing between these two, I'd pick the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While it's significantly more expensive, its superior performance, display, and camera capabilities justify the cost for me. As someone who values smooth multitasking, high-fidelity gaming, and advanced photography, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a no-brainer. The trade-off in price is worth the experience it delivers, especially with its superior video recording capabilities and future-proofing with Android updates. The versatility of the camera system, including optical zoom, is a significant advantage for my needs.
