Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It's a classic case of David versus Goliath, with the Poco M5s aiming for affordability and the Zenfone 11 Ultra flexing its high-end muscle. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which one might be your next daily driver.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with an emphasis on what these specs mean for you in the real world:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm, 178.8g | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm, 224g | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger and heavier, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand over extended periods. The Poco M5s is lighter and more compact. |
| Build Material | Unspecified | Unspecified | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is more premium because it uses a newer Gorilla Glass for its screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a larger display, better for media consumption and gaming. The Poco M5s is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp visuals, so you won't see a huge difference in text or image clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 388 | The Poco M5s has slightly sharper screen due to higher pixel density, but it's not very noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer rich colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 11 Ultra screen will appear dramatically smoother and more fluid, especially noticeable in scrolling and games. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone 11 Ultra will be much more visible under bright sunlight. The Poco M5s is adequate for most indoor settings. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a vastly more powerful processor, offering significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides a far superior experience in terms of responsiveness, loading speed, and overall snappiness. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 (Arm Mali-G76 3EEMC4720 MHz) | Adreno 750 (Adreno 750) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides considerably better graphics performance, essential for high-end mobile gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.9, 1/2", 0.7µm) | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger sensor size should capture more light and detail, leading to better image quality in various conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP (f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | 32MP (f/2.5, 1/3.2", 0.7µm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's higher resolution front camera may offer more detailed selfies, but the Poco M5s has slightly larger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP (f/2.4, 0.70 µm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, a feature missing in the Poco M5s |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP (f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm) | 13MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers more megapixels in its ultra-wide lens. The difference may not be significant to most users though. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | None | Poco M5s has a dedicated depth sensor that help in portrait mode. The Zenfone 11 Ultra doesn't come with a dedicated sensor for this. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm) | None | The Poco M5s allows you to take close up photos with its dedicated macro lens. The Zenfone 11 Ultra doesn't offer it. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps | The Zenfone 11 Ultra captures higher-resolution video with more advanced stabilization, providing better quality video overall. |
| DXOMARK Score | N/A | 125 (131 Photo, 115 Video) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a solid DXOMARK score showing its high-end camera performance. No data exists for the Poco M5s. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life on a full charge. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, which is very convenient for busy people. The Poco M5s will take longer to charge. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 15W | The Zenfone 11 Ultra can charge wirelessly, while the Poco M5s does not have this feature. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | 10W Wired | Both offer the feature of charging other devices, but the Poco M5s can use reverse charging wirelessly while the Zenfone 11 can charge other devices using 10W wired charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is more up-to-date with the latest Android version, offering the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better stability, range, and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Zenfone 11 Ultra supports more satellite systems, providing better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256GB | 256/512GB | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 12/16GB | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has significantly more RAM, improving multitasking performance and making apps run smoother. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Mic, 2 Microphones | The Zenfone 11 Ultra provides slightly better audio capturing with noise cancellation mic and 2 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer biometric authentication but the Poco M5s uses a more convenient side mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have standard motion and biometric sensors, but the Xiaomi adds Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths:
- Affordability: The Poco M5s is designed to be budget-friendly, making it a great choice for users looking for good value without breaking the bank.
- Compact Design: It’s lighter and more pocketable, making it ideal for users who prefer a smaller device.
- Decent Display: Offers a solid AMOLED display with good color reproduction, suitable for most daily usage needs.
- Limitations:
- Lower Performance: Its Mediatek Helio G95 chipset is significantly weaker than the Zenfone 11 Ultra, meaning it may struggle with more demanding tasks.
- Older Software: Running on Android 12 out of the box, it might lack some of the newer features and security updates that Android 14 offers.
- Basic Camera: While it offers a 64MP main sensor, it lacks features like a telephoto lens, and the image quality is not as advanced as the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
- Less Future Proof: With a less powerful processor and older software, it won't age as well as the Zenfone 11 Ultra.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 provides top-of-the-line performance for gaming, multitasking, and any demanding task.
- Superior Display: The 144Hz AMOLED display offers a smoother, more enjoyable visual experience, especially for gamers and heavy media users.
- Advanced Camera System: The high-end camera setup with larger sensor, telephoto lens, and advanced stabilization delivers outstanding photo and video quality.
- Latest Software: It comes with the newest Android 14, providing the latest features and security updates for a longer lifespan.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging and wireless charging offer greater convenience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster, more stable connections.
- Limitations:
- Higher Price: The Zenfone 11 Ultra is a premium device with a premium price tag, making it less accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Bulky Design: It's larger and heavier, which may not be ideal for users who prefer a more compact phone.
- No Expandable Storage: You're stuck with whatever internal storage option you purchase.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users, students, and casual smartphone users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and occasional photography.
- Use Cases: Good for everyday use, light gaming, and multimedia consumption. A good secondary device or a primary device for less demanding users.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for its price, offering a decent AMOLED display, solid battery life, and good cameras for its class.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra:
- Ideal for: Power users, gamers, photographers, videographers, and tech enthusiasts who want the best performance and features.
- Use Cases: Perfect for high-end mobile gaming, video editing, content creation, professional photography, and anyone who needs a flagship-level experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers top-tier performance and features but at a much higher price. It's the best option if money is not a big concern and you need the best smartphone experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide which phone is right for you, consider these three questions:
- What is your budget? If you have a tight budget and are looking for a solid device for everyday tasks, the Poco M5s is the best option. If you can afford a more expensive device, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the best choice.
- What do you use your phone for the most? If you are a heavy gamer, love to take high-quality photos and videos, or want the fastest and smoothest performance, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the right choice. If you only need a phone for basic use, social media, and casual browsing, the Poco M5s is more than enough.
- What is more important to you, power or compact design? If you want a lighter, more compact device that is easy to hold and carry around, the Poco M5s fits the bill. If you are looking for a larger, high-performance phone with the best specs, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is your best bet.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Student on a Budget): You need a reliable phone for school, social media, and the occasional game. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M5s, it's affordable and gets the job done.
- Scenario 2 (Enthusiast): You want the latest specs, best performance, and love to play high-end games on your phone. Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It offers unparalleled performance, amazing camera quality and excellent multimedia experience.
- Scenario 3 (Professional Photographer/Videographer): You need a camera system that can handle professional photos and videos while still being portable and convenient. Recommendation: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. It offers excellent camera quality, advanced features, and good video stabilization.
- Scenario 4 (Casual User): You only use your phone for basic needs like browsing, social media, and light usage. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M5s. It's reliable, good value for money and more than enough for less demanding users.
Final Thoughts: My Choice
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd go with the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. Here’s why:
As a tech journalist, I'm constantly pushing my devices to their limits, whether it’s testing new features, editing photos, or gaming on the go. The sheer power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, combined with the 144Hz display and superior camera system, makes the Zenfone 11 Ultra a compelling choice. I also appreciate the larger battery, faster charging, and the more recent software that ensures the device remains up-to-date with new features and updates. While the price tag is higher, the enhanced capabilities and the overall premium experience justify the expense for me, as it would allow me to be more productive, capture better images, and test newer technologies.
