Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Huawei nova 11 Pro. As a tech journalist, my goal isn't just to list specs, but to translate those numbers into real-world experiences. So, let's get started.
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:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Huawei nova 11 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 164.3 x 74.4 x 7.9 mm | The nova 11 Pro is slightly taller and thinner. You might find the Poco M5s feels a bit more compact and the nova 11 Pro more streamlined. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 188g | The Poco M5s is a touch lighter, which could make a difference during extended use, although both are reasonably weighted. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.78" | The nova 11 Pro offers a noticeably larger screen, ideal for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1200 x 2652 | The nova 11 Pro has a sharper display, providing finer detail and greater clarity. |
| PPI | 409 | 429 | Both are sharp, with the nova 11 Pro having a slightly higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both technologies offer great contrast and vibrant colors, but the subtle differences may not be noticeable to most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The nova 11 Pro provides smoother animations, making scrolling and gaming feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 950 nits | The Poco M5s can get slightly brighter, which can help in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon in the nova 11 Pro is more powerful, resulting in snappier app loading and better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 592,297 | The nova 11 Pro scores significantly higher, translating to noticeably smoother operation, especially during intense tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno GPU in the nova 11 Pro provides a superior gaming experience. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Poco M5s should offer better battery life due to its larger capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The nova 11 Pro charges significantly faster, offering a much quicker turnaround between charges. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.9 | The Poco M5s has a higher megapixel count. Quality depends on more than just megapixels, but this suggests better potential for detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 60MP, f/2.4 | The nova 11 Pro's selfie camera has a much higher resolution and a larger sensor, making it better for social media. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not present | The Poco M5s has an additional ultrawide lens for more versatile shots. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | The Poco M5s has an additional depth lens to enhance portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | The Poco M5s has an additional Macro lens to enable taking close up pictures. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not present | 8MP, f/2.2 | The nova 11 Pro has an additional ultrawide + macro lens for more versatile shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 30fps | 720p@960fps with EIS | The Poco M5s captures higher resolution video, whereas the nova 11 Pro offers EIS video stabilization and better slow motion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | N/A | The Poco M5s comes with Android 12. The nova 11 Pro's OS is not specified but as the OS is a crucial part of user experience, this should be further explored. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The nova 11 Pro is equipped with a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering better speeds and less congestion. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | The nova 11 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version which supports higher-quality codecs. |
| GPS | Multi-system (incl. Galileo) | Enhanced Multi-system (incl. dual-band) | The nova 11 Pro offers more accurate location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64, 128, 256 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB | The nova 11 Pro offers a higher storage option, suitable for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 4, 6, 8 GB | 6, 8, 12 GB | The nova 11 Pro offers more RAM options, allowing for smoother multitasking and resource-intensive apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows for memory expansion via microSD card. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | The Poco M5s provides an edge for audiophiles with Hi-Res Audio support and the nova 11 pro offers stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | basic Fingerprint sensor | The Poco M5s features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Poco M5s has better screen protection. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: The Poco M5s boasts a bright AMOLED display, a larger battery, versatile camera system with macro, ultrawide and depth lenses, and Hi-Res audio. Its screen is also protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It also offers more advanced side mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Competitive Advantage: Its competitive edge comes from a longer battery life and a lower price point. The Poco M5s has better video recording (4K).
- Trade-offs: It has a slightly less powerful chipset, and the 60Hz refresh rate might not be as smooth as the competition.
Huawei nova 11 Pro:
- Strengths: The nova 11 Pro stands out with a large, sharp 120Hz OLED display, a more powerful Snapdragon chipset, and blazing-fast 100W charging. Its selfie camera and overall performance are exceptional. It also has a better version of Bluetooth, which supports higher quality codecs and better GPS.
- Competitive Advantage: It excels in performance, screen fluidity, faster charging times, and the quality of its front-facing camera.
- Trade-offs: It comes with a smaller battery, lacks expandable storage, and has a less varied rear camera array. It also is not known what the OS is.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and media consumption. Good for photographers that like to have all lenses available at their disposal.
- Use Cases: All-day use without worrying about battery, casual gaming, media viewing and a versatile camera system.
- Huawei nova 11 Pro:
- Ideal For: Users who value performance, screen quality, quick charging, and a high-end front-facing camera.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, multitasking, professional photography, and users who need a phone that can keep up with their busy lives.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, here are three key questions:
- Do you need the best possible screen and performance? If yes, the nova 11 Pro is the way to go.
- Is all-day battery life a higher priority than charging speed? If yes, the Poco M5s will serve you better.
- Which is most important: higher quality recording or more lenses? If you need higher recording, the Poco M5s would be better, but if you like a lot of versatility, the Huawei would be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The On-the-Go Gamer: Huawei nova 11 Pro offers a smooth 120Hz screen and powerful performance for demanding games.
- The Budget Media Buff: Xiaomi Poco M5s provides a great display and long battery life for all-day media consumption.
- The Social Media Enthusiast: Huawei nova 11 Pro will get you the best selfie pictures, great quality, and fast charging, for that extra bit of time for sharing.
My Choice
If I were picking between the two, I would lean towards the Huawei nova 11 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance Matters: While the Poco M5s is a great all-rounder, the significantly better performance of the Snapdragon 778G on the nova 11 Pro would make my daily usage noticeably smoother, especially with my multitasking, gaming and content creation habits.
- Display Quality: The 120Hz display on the nova 11 Pro is a game changer. It’s not just about higher numbers; it's the fluidity it brings that makes a big difference.
- Charging Speed: The 100W fast charging is a luxury I'd rather not live without after having experienced it. It's just a quality of life upgrade that is hard to give up.
- Modern Features Bluetooth 5.2 offers higher quality audio codec, and Wifi 6 is just the way to go for newer and faster standards.
Yes, the battery on the Poco M5s is larger, but the charging on the nova 11 Pro is so quick that I believe I could manage that tradeoff. With the nova 11 Pro, you're getting a noticeable upgrade in the core areas that matter most for my usage.
