Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Realme 12 Pro+. I'll be breaking down the specs and translating them into practical user experiences, ensuring you have all the info you need to make the best choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed table comparing the key specifications of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and Realme 12 Pro+, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Realme 12 Pro+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-06 | 2024-01-29 | Realme 12 Pro+ is significantly newer, benefitting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Similar size, but Realme 12 Pro+ is slightly thicker and larger in volume, may feel a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 196g | Xiaomi Poco M5s is noticeably lighter, better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp, detailed visuals with minimal difference. |
| PPI | 409 | 394 | Similar pixel density, both have crisp display |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Rich colors and deep blacks on both displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ has smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Xiaomi Poco M5s provides excellent outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (note that the Realme 12 Pro+ brightness is listed as 0 nits, which is likely a data error). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) | Realme 12 Pro+’s chip is significantly more powerful, more efficient and faster. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ provides noticeably faster performance for apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a more modern GPU for enhanced graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, great for those short on time. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s can act as a power bank, useful in a pinch. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger sensor and larger pixel size, likely capturing more light and better images. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.80µm | Realme 12 Pro+ provides higher resolution selfies and a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.70µm | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a telephoto zoom lens which the Xiaomi does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a dedicated wide-angle camera. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s can capture depth information for portrait images. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | None | Xiaomi Poco M5s can take close-up macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | Realme 12 Pro+ offers the ability to take wide-angle macro shots with a single camera. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Similar video quality, but Realme 12 Pro+ has electronic image stabilization (EIS). |
| Slow-motion | 960fps | 240fps | Xiaomi Poco M5s records higher slow-motion framerate. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple cam, Night Mode | Triple cam, OIS, RAW, Optical Zoom | Realme 12 Pro+ has OIS, Optical Zoom and shoots in RAW format for better processing flexibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer version of Android and likely longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro+ has faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro+ has better location accuracy using more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger maximum storage option of 512GB. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8/12GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation microphone |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Xiaomi Poco M5s has a more convenient fingerprint sensor location. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco M5s provides better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Xiaomi Poco M5s offers compass and ultrasonic proximity sensors. Realme 12 Pro+ offers standard proximity sensor |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Lighter Build: The M5s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and one-handed operation.
- Brighter Display: Based on the data, Xiaomi Poco M5s has a significantly brighter display, excelling in outdoor visibility.
- More Camera Options: Comes with a wide-angle, macro and depth cameras, which the Realme 12 Pro+ lacks.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Screen Protection: It has a well-known protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Price: Xiaomi Poco M5s is the older and less capable, which should translate to a lower price, being the better cost-effective option.
Realme 12 Pro+ Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chip provides a huge boost in performance, crucial for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging is a major advantage for users who need quick power top-ups.
- Better Camera System: Larger main sensor, telephoto lens, and OIS offer better image quality and versatility.
- Newer Software: Android 14 provides a more modern and future-proofed experience.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Offers smoother animations and a more fluid user experience.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos support, and a noise-cancellation microphone, provide better audio immersion.
- Superior Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers 512GB of internal storage and 12GB of RAM.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 12 Pro+ is bulkier and heavier.
- The Xiaomi Poco M5s has a brighter screen, providing better visibility in direct sunlight (if the Realme value was an error).
- The Xiaomi Poco M5s has a variety of dedicated cameras, while the Realme 12 Pro+ has only a telephoto camera.
- The Realme 12 Pro+ does not have a reverse charging feature which the Xiaomi Poco M5s has.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Perfect for users who prioritize affordability and basic functionality.
- Everyday Users: Suitable for those who need a reliable phone for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography.
- Those who need to take various types of photos: Users looking for a variety of cameras, like macro, wide angle, and portrait.
- Those who need reverse charging: Ability to charge other devices.
Realme 12 Pro+:
- Power Users: Ideal for individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Best for users who prioritize camera quality and features like optical zoom and OIS.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Appealing to those who want the latest software, connectivity, and a premium user experience.
- Users who need large storage and RAM: Perfect for users who want to install many apps and games.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose between the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Realme 12 Pro+:
- What is your primary use case?
- If your focus is on basic everyday use with good screen visibility and a great price, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is suitable.
- If performance, gaming, camera versatility, and faster charging are your priorities, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the way to go.
- How important is a lightweight design and reverse charging?
- If a lighter phone is important, the Xiaomi Poco M5s will be the better option.
- If you need reverse charging capabilities, the Xiaomi Poco M5s has this feature.
- What's your budget?
- If you are looking for the most cost-effective option, the Xiaomi Poco M5s would be the option.
- If you don't mind paying for high-end features, the Realme 12 Pro+ is worth the investment.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User Scenario: If you use your phone mostly for social media, browsing, and messaging, the Xiaomi Poco M5s offers excellent value and meets all basic requirements.
- Photography Scenario: For users who want advanced camera features like optical zoom, and OIS, the Realme 12 Pro+ is a much more capable option.
- Gaming Scenario: If you are a mobile gamer, the Realme 12 Pro+'s superior performance is essential for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- Power User Scenario: The Realme 12 Pro+ will give you the best performance and higher storage and RAM.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Realme 12 Pro+. Here's why:
While I appreciate the Xiaomi Poco M5s's focus on budget-friendliness, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a level of performance and camera capabilities that's just too compelling. As someone who values smooth operation, high-quality photos, faster charging and has a need for large RAM and storage, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear winner. The newer software and enhanced connectivity are also a big plus for me.
The added weight and bulk are trade-offs I’m willing to make for the significant upgrades in power and camera quality. Also, the brighter display in the Xiaomi might be beneficial in some situations, the overall advantages of the Realme 12 Pro+ simply make it the better choice for me.
