Okay, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. I'll be breaking down these devices with a focus on how the specs translate to real-world experiences, just like I'd explain it to a friend over coffee.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how the Xiaomi Poco M5s and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra stack up, with a focus on real-world implications.
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162.6 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm | The Pura 70 Ultra is slightly taller and a bit wider but has a similar thickness, which means it will feel more substantial in your hand. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 226g | The Poco M5s is significantly lighter and will be much more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | The Pura 70 Ultra provides a larger screen, making it better for watching videos, browsing, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2844 | The Pura 70 Ultra's higher resolution means sharper text and images, so everything looks crispier. |
| PPI | 409 | 460 | Higher PPI on the Pura 70 Ultra means a more detailed and less pixelated viewing experience; smaller fonts and details will appear clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, with similar viewing experiences in terms of color reproduction and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate of the Pura 70 Ultra will make scrolling and animations look much smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2500 nits | The Pura 70 Ultra has a significantly brighter display making it far easier to view content in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | The Pura 70 Ultra uses a more advanced, smaller process chip, which generally means better efficiency and raw performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 869,707 | The Pura 70 Ultra scores more than double of the Poco M5s in benchmarks meaning faster apps loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance for gaming and resource intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Maleoon 910 | The Pura 70 Ultra's GPU will offer more powerful graphics processing than the Poco M5s making for better gaming and visual experiences. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.7µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1", 1.6µm | While the M5s has a higher megapixel count, the Pura 70 Ultra boasts a much larger sensor and wider aperture, meaning it will capture more light, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have similar selfie cameras on paper. The lack of detailed sensor specifications on the Pura 70 Ultra makes any real-world comparisons hard. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/2.1 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for zoomed-in shots with better quality than digital zoom alone. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7", 1.0µm | The Pura 70 Ultra's wide-angle lens has higher resolution and a larger sensor for wider, more detailed shots than the Poco M5s. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | N/A | The Poco M5s has a dedicated depth sensor which provides additional depth information for bokeh effect, while the Pura 70 Ultra relies on software for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | N/A | The Poco M5s includes a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, which the Pura 70 Ultra lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K @ 30fps | Up to 4K | Both phones can record 4k video, however the Pura 70 Ultra lacks information about frame rates. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Pura 70 Ultra has many more features than the Poco M5s and will likely provide more professional results. |
| DxoMark Score | None | 163 | The Pura 70 Ultra shows significantly high scores which suggest it will take great photos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5200 mAh | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, which may translate to a little extra screen time. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Pura 70 Ultra charges much faster, meaning you'll spend less time tethered to a charger. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging, 80W Wireless Charging, 20W Reverse Wireless Charging | The Pura 70 Ultra offers wireless charging options and faster charging speeds. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 12 | - | Poco M5s uses Android 12 while the operating system of the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is unknown. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The Pura 70 Ultra has WiFi 6 which means faster speeds and better network performance for the most up to date routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly newer Bluetooth version which generally means better power efficiency and faster connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | The Pura 70 Ultra supports many more satellite systems for very precise location tracking. |
| Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 512/1024 GB | The Pura 70 Ultra offers much more storage, especially useful for storing videos and photos. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 16 GB | The Pura 70 Ultra has a lot more RAM, ensuring smooth performance even with heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, which means you will need to pick the right variant at the time of purchase. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer stereo speakers, however, the Poco M5s offers Hi-Res audio while the Pura 70 Ultra offers Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Poco M5s uses a more advanced fingerprint sensor than the Pura 70 Ultra. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | The Poco M5s offers screen protection but the screen protection of the Pura 70 Ultra is unknown. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Both devices have a range of sensors but the Pura 70 Ultra has additional sensors such as Gravity, Hall, and RGB. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: The Poco M5s excels as a budget-friendly phone that provides good value for the price. It is lighter and more comfortable to handle and has a decent AMOLED screen, and a good main camera for the price. Its 3.5mm headphone jack will appeal to users who like wired audio.
- Competitive Advantages: Its affordability is its biggest draw, as well as its good build quality and side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Trade-offs and Limitations: The phone lacks 5G and doesn't offer the same level of performance, display quality, or camera capabilities as the Pura 70 Ultra.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Pura 70 Ultra is an absolute powerhouse of a phone. Its high-resolution, high-refresh-rate screen, top-tier chipset, and advanced camera system will provide a premium experience. It also offers wireless charging.
- Competitive Advantages: Its flagship level performance, superior camera system, and premium design are a clear step ahead. The 120Hz display is noticeably smoother and the very high peak brightness ensures excellent visibility.
- Trade-offs and Limitations: The Pura 70 Ultra is much heavier which is less comfortable to hold for long periods and is also likely to come at a much higher price point. There are also missing details such as the operating system it uses, which is a major drawback.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: People who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Those who use their phones primarily for social media, messaging, browsing, and some occasional photography.
- Wired Audio Lovers: Individuals who want a traditional 3.5mm audio jack for their headphones.
- Daily use Users who need a lighter and comfortable phone to hold.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is ideal for:
- Power Users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a top-of-the-line camera system for high-quality photos and videos.
- Media Consumers: Those who love to watch videos, movies, and play games on their phones.
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who want the newest and best technology available.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- What is your budget?
- The Poco M5s is designed for budget-conscious buyers. The Pura 70 Ultra, being a flagship device, will be significantly more expensive.
- What are your primary use cases?
- If you need a basic phone for day-to-day tasks, the Poco M5s is more than sufficient.
- If you want top-tier performance for heavy usage, gaming, and photography, the Pura 70 Ultra is the only option.
- How important is camera performance?
- The Pura 70 Ultra features a much more powerful camera system than the Poco M5s. For serious photography or videography, this is a huge factor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You need a reliable and affordable phone for everyday tasks and light photography.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M5s. It provides all the necessary functionality without costing a fortune.
Scenario 2: You want the best possible camera, screen, and performance regardless of the price.
- Recommendation: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. Its hardware and features make it a true flagship device.
Scenario 3: You need a phone for media consumption and some mobile gaming.
- Recommendation: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. The bigger screen size, better display and faster chipset will provide a more premium gaming and media experience.
My Choice
If I were in the market for a new phone, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra, but with some reservations. Here's why:
I'm a tech journalist, and I need a device that can handle everything I throw at it—from intense multitasking while researching and writing to capturing high-quality photos and videos for reviews. The Pura 70 Ultra's significantly better chipset, display, and camera setup perfectly aligns with my needs. The lack of information regarding the operating system is a massive downside, and depending on the software, it may make the device unusable. The weight of the device is also a concern as the extra weight can make using the device for long periods uncomfortable.
Although the Poco M5s is a great budget option, and ideal for most users, it simply doesn't offer the same level of performance, making the Pura 70 Ultra a worthwhile investment, assuming the OS is up to par. The premium build quality and camera system are features I need, and if I am going to spend money on a device I want something that will last.
I hope this analysis gives you a thorough understanding of these phones! Let me know if you have any other questions.
