Alright, let's dive into this comparison between the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. These two phones sit at different ends of the spectrum, and the differences are quite significant. Buckle up, because we're about to get nerdy, but in a way that's useful for real life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a deep dive into the specs, with a focus on what they actually mean for you.
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Huawei Pura 70 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Very similar size; Huawei is slightly taller and wider. Both are comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 220g | Poco M5s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. Huawei feels more substantial but might be tiring. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | Huawei offers a larger screen; more immersive for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | Huawei has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 409 | 460 | Huawei's higher pixel density results in crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display tech but AMOLED has slightly better blacks and contrast, which probably wouldn't be noticeable in real-world use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Huawei's display feels smoother, especially during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | Huawei is much better for outdoor use; very visible even in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Huawei's chipset is significantly more powerful. expect faster app loads, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 869,707 | Huawei offers over twice the performance in benchmarks, translates into a clear speed difference in everyday tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Maleoon 910 | Huawei's GPU is far more powerful, translating to smoother frame rates and higher graphics settings in games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Very similar capacity; Expect similar battery life under moderate use, though Huawei may drain more battery with its more powerful components. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Huawei's charging is much faster; can fill the battery in less than 30 min. |
| Charging Features | Reverse charging, Li-Polymer | 100W Fast Charging, 80W Wireless, 20W Reverse Wireless | Huawei has more charging flexibility and convenience, with much faster wired and wireless capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3", 1.20µm | Huawei has a wider aperture and bigger sensor with larger pixels, capturing more light and detail with better low-light performance despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Lens | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Comparable selfie camera performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.1 | Huawei offers optical zoom capabilities for better long-range shots; a significant advantage. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 12.5MP, f/2.2 | Huawei has higher resolution for wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Poco has a depth camera for portrait mode. Huawei may use software-based processing for portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Poco has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | 4K; Stabilization | Poco has great standard video quality. Huawei has stabilization for smoother videos, likely significantly better quality. |
| Camera Features | Quad Cam, Digital Zoom | Triple Cam, Optical Zoom, OIS, Multiple Autofocus, Panorama, RAW, Ultra Stable | Huawei has a lot more features, including OIS and more robust autofocus options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Unknown | The Poco is using Android 12; The operating system used by the Huawei is not listed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Huawei has newer WiFi tech for faster and more reliable wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Huawei has a newer Bluetooth standard with LDAC. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | More extensive system support | Huawei has more GPS systems resulting in better accuracy and signal strength. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support Dual SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Huawei offers significantly more storage space for apps, media and files. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 12 GB | Huawei has considerably more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers; Xiaomi has hi-res Audio, Huawei has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Xiaomi's side fingerprint reader is more convenient and generally faster to access than a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi has gorilla glass screen protection, Huawei's screen protection is not specified. |
| Sensors | Multiple Sensors | Extensive Suite | Both have basic sensors, but the Huawei has more sensors such as proximity, gravity, hall and RGB for improved functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: The Poco M5s is a budget-friendly all-rounder. It's lightweight, has a decent display, and a capable primary camera for the price.
- Competitive Advantages: Its price point makes it very attractive for budget-conscious users. The inclusion of a dedicated macro and depth camera is also a plus at this price point. The hi-res audio is also something for the audio lovers.
- Trade-offs: It is a basic phone with a slightly older chipset, slower display refresh rate, basic fingerprint reader, and lacks features like optical zoom, optical image stabilization and wireless charging.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Strengths: The Pura 70 Pro is a powerhouse of a phone. It boasts a high-resolution display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a top-tier chipset, a powerful camera system with telephoto and wide angle lenses, and super-fast charging.
- Competitive Advantages: The camera system is a major highlight, with excellent low-light performance, a telephoto lens, and OIS. The massive storage, large amounts of RAM and quick charging are also huge advantages.
- Trade-offs: It's heavier than the Poco, and most likely much more expensive, making it a premium option.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Ideal User: The budget-conscious buyer looking for a reliable daily driver for general tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography.
- Use Cases: Suitable for students, casual users, and anyone needing a backup phone. Excels in everyday tasks, but might struggle with intensive gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for the price point; if you are on a tight budget and don't need the latest and greatest features, this is a solid pick.
Huawei Pura 70 Pro:
- Ideal User: The power user who values top-tier performance, a high-quality camera system, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Great for professional photographers, gamers, and anyone who needs a phone that can handle heavy multitasking. Excels in areas such as media creation and content consumption.
- Price-to-Value: This is a premium device with a premium price tag. You are paying for the cutting-edge features and raw power.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's Your Budget? If you are on a tight budget, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is the way to go. If your budget is more flexible, you should be looking at the Pura 70 Pro.
- How Important is Performance? The Pura 70 Pro is far more powerful. If you're a power user or gamer, this difference will be very noticeable.
- What do you value most in a camera? If having a great primary camera, combined with ultrawide, depth and macro lenses are a priority, the Poco is for you. If you value better low light performance, the versatility of telephoto and OIS for smooth videos, then the Pura is your obvious choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Student: Xiaomi Poco M5s. It will serve you well for daily tasks and capture decent photos.
- Casual User: Xiaomi Poco M5s. It has great quality for daily use and is lightweight, easy to carry and use.
- Mobile Photographer: Huawei Pura 70 Pro. Its camera system is far more versatile, with a larger sensor and optical zoom.
- Mobile Gamer: Huawei Pura 70 Pro. It has much more processing power, a higher refresh rate screen, and more RAM to handle demanding games.
- Power User: Huawei Pura 70 Pro. Its sheer power and long-term usability makes it a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would pick the Huawei Pura 70 Pro. While the Poco M5s is a fantastic budget device, the Pura 70 Pro represents a massive leap in performance and features. Its superior screen, incredibly powerful chipset, and advanced camera system, especially the optical zoom, all make it a phone that would make me smile every time I use it. The faster charging also adds to its usability and convenience. Yes, it’s likely much more expensive, but I believe it would offer a better overall experience and make me a lot happier. The added weight of the Huawei, while being a drawback, is not something that would bother me that much. For me, a phone is something that I use all day, every day, and the Pura 70 Pro’s improvements in areas that matter the most would make it my choice between these two.
