Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Google Pixel 8. We'll break down the specs, talk about what they mean for you, and help you figure out which phone might be the better fit.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Google Pixel 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm | Poco M5s is taller and wider, Pixel 8 is slightly thicker; Pixel 8 more pocketable. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 187g | Poco M5s feels lighter, which is beneficial for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.2" | Poco M5s has a slightly larger screen, which could be better for media consumption, and gaming, Pixel 8 provides a more pocket-friendly experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a very detailed display |
| PPI | 409 | 428 | Pixel 8 has a slightly sharper display in terms of pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pixel 8 provides much smoother animations, which is great for gaming and general navigation. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2000 nits | Pixel 8 screen is much brighter, providing superior visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) | Pixel 8's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, offering superior app performance, gaming, and AI processing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 876,512 | Pixel 8 offers over double the raw power, leading to much smoother and snappier performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 (Arm Mali-G76) | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Pixel 8 has a more advanced GPU for better gaming performance, particularly in resource-intensive games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.70 µm | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.31", 1.20 µm | Pixel 8 has a larger sensor and wider aperture, likely to capture more light and detail, performing better in low light, although M5s has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12 µm | 10.8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm | Pixel 8's wider aperture and larger sensor capture more detail and improve low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14 µm | None | Poco M5s offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for those who want it, while the Pixel 8 combines it with the macro. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | None | Poco M5s has a dedicated macro lens, which can capture close-up photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 0.80 µm | Pixel 8 combines a wide angle with macro lens for versatility |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | None | Poco M5s provides a dedicated depth sensor to support portrait mode |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, OIS, EIS | Pixel 8 offers smoother, more stabilized video with HDR capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 148 (Photo: 152, Video: 148) | Pixel 8 has a clearly superior camera according to DXOMark. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4575mAh | Poco M5s has a slightly larger battery capacity, which may lead to a marginal increase in battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 27W Fast Charging | Poco M5s charges slightly faster than the Pixel 8. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | Both support reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Pixel 8 offers the latest Android version and should be updated for many years, whereas the Poco M5s is on an older OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Pixel 8 has more advanced WiFi standards for faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Pixel 8 offers a more advanced version with support for more modern audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1) | Pixel 8 has enhanced GPS capabilities with more satellite systems for improved location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Pixel 8 offers the flexibility of using an eSIM for additional connectivity options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB | Both phones offer up to 256GB storage, but Poco M5s has an additional lower storage option for budget-conscious buyers. |
| RAM | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB | 8 GB | Pixel 8 has a standard 8GB RAM, optimized for performance and multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise Cancellation, 3 Mics, Stereo Speakers | Pixel 8 offers better call clarity and voice capture with additional mics and noise cancellation. Poco M5s supports Hi-Res audio playback. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Poco M5s has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint scanner, while Pixel 8 has a less advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Pixel 8 provides better resistance to scratches and accidental damage with more advanced glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer | Pixel 8 includes a broader range of sensors for enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Affordability: It is significantly more budget-friendly, making it attractive to price-conscious buyers.
- Battery: Larger capacity and faster charging.
- Versatile Camera System: It has a dedicated wide-angle and macro camera.
- Hi-Res Audio: Good audio quality for music lovers.
Google Pixel 8 Strengths:
- Performance: The Tensor G3 chip offers a massive performance boost, ensuring smooth operation.
- Display: A smoother refresh rate (120Hz) and much brighter screen (2000 nits) provide a superior viewing experience.
- Camera Quality: The larger sensor and optimized processing lead to better photos and videos, especially in challenging conditions.
- Software: The latest Android version and long-term updates guarantee the best Android experience.
- Connectivity: Supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster connections and better audio.
- Build Quality: Better screen protection.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Poco M5s: The chipset is less powerful, screen is dimmer, and software is older. The camera, while versatile, may not match the Pixel 8’s image quality.
- Pixel 8: The smaller battery may need more frequent charging, and it lacks dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses (combined) and a depth sensor (portrait mode). It is also significantly more expensive.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize cost-effectiveness.
- Casual Users: Users who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks, social media, and media consumption.
- Photographers: Wanting flexibility of a macro and wide-angle camera.
- Music Lovers: High res audio
Google Pixel 8:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance and want smooth, seamless operation.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize image and video quality.
- Android Purists: Those who want the latest Android features and updates.
- Frequent Travelers: Users needing top-notch GPS capabilities and eSIM options.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask yourself when deciding between these two phones:
- What's Your Budget? If cost is the primary concern, the Poco M5s is a logical choice. If you're willing to invest more for high-end features, the Pixel 8 is worth considering.
- How Important is Performance? If you play demanding games or run multiple resource-intensive apps, the Pixel 8 is superior. For basic everyday tasks, the Poco M5s is adequate.
- What do you want from a camera? If you prioritize versatility with macro and wide-angle cameras, the M5s is for you. If you want top-tier, optimized image and video quality, the Pixel 8 is the way to go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario: Budget is the main concern, and you primarily use your phone for social media, calls, and browsing.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M5s. It offers good performance for everyday tasks and is very cost effective.
- Scenario: You need a phone for heavy usage, high-end gaming, and taking high-quality photos and videos.
- Recommendation: Google Pixel 8. It provides a significant performance boost, an impressive camera, and the latest software, although it is more expensive.
- Scenario: You want a good value proposition without compromising on certain aspects, such as display.
- Recommendation: Google Pixel 8. The performance and much brighter screen make it more suited to a wider range of users.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd opt for the Google Pixel 8, for a few key reasons. As someone who values performance, a high-quality display, and top-notch camera capabilities, the Pixel 8 ticks all the right boxes. The vastly improved chipset ensures that the device will handle everything I throw at it—be it gaming or running multiple apps—with impressive smoothness and speed. The significantly brighter 120Hz display makes the visual experience far superior, enhancing readability under any lighting conditions and providing a much smoother experience. And, finally, the camera's image quality, especially in low light, makes it an essential tool for my photography needs. While the Poco M5s is a compelling option at a lower price point, offering flexibility in terms of additional cameras, the Pixel 8 offers an overall better performance experience, which I find to be the most significant factor.
