Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. This isn't just about specs; it's about how these devices fit into your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a table breaking down the key specifications, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-06 | 2024-10-03 | The S24 FE is newer, meaning it will have longer software support and potentially more up-to-date features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone designs. |
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm | The S24 FE is slightly larger, which might affect one-handed use. The Poco M5s is a bit thicker. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 213g | The Poco M5s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | The S24 FE offers a larger screen, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both are sharp and clear, with minimal differences. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 385 PPI | The Poco M5s has a slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks thanks to AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S24 FE has a smoother display, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1900 nits | The S24 FE is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | The S24 FE’s chipset is much more powerful and efficient, leading to faster performance and better battery management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 1,600,000 | The S24 FE has a drastically better score, indicating significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Xclipse 940 | The S24 FE offers substantially better graphical performance for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | The S24 FE has larger sensor and wider aperture, which will capture more light and produce higher-quality images. The Poco M5s higher resolution might seem better, but the sensor size matters more in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | The S24 FE has a larger sensor for the selfie cam, capturing more light, and better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | The S24 FE offers more versatile zoom capability, which the Poco M5s lacks. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" | The S24 FE provides a higher resolution wide-angle lens. While the M5s has a slightly larger sensor, the S24FE is better overall in low light. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | The Poco M5s has a dedicated macro lens, but the S24 FE does not. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | None | The Poco M5s includes a depth sensor, which the S24 FE doesn't, but its main sensor quality provides better results. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | The S24 FE offers higher video resolutions and frame rates, which is more versatile and future-proofed for video enthusiasts. |
| DXOMark Score | Not Tested | 133 (Mobile) | The S24 FE has been professionally tested, providing a benchmark for its overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Quad, Digital zoom, etc. | Triple, OIS, RAW, etc. | S24 FE has more advanced camera features including optical zoom and stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | The Poco M5s has a slightly larger battery, but real-world battery life depends on chipset efficiency. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Poco M5s has faster wired charging. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | Bypass Charging, Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | The S24 FE has the added convenience of wireless charging and bypass charging to extend battery health and longevity. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 14 | S24 FE has a newer version of Android, providing more features and better security. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 FE supports faster wifi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S24 FE uses newer Bluetooth version, resulting in more robust connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | S24 FE supports more satellite systems, which will provide more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 FE has a eSim capability, which is useful for frequent travellers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | The S24 FE has a higher storage capacity, which is useful for those who download a lot of media and apps. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 8GB | The S24 FE offers 8GB RAM standard, which ensures smoother multitasking, especially with its powerful chipset. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports memory cards, thus the base storage is vital when choosing a model. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Both provide good audio, but S24 FE comes with a noise cancellation microphone and Poco M5s has hi-res audio. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Poco M5s fingerprint sensor is more advanced, however both will give access to a device. |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S24 FE uses significantly more durable screen glass. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | S24 FE has more sensor to enable more features |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Lightweight and Comfortable: Its lighter build makes it ideal for extended use.
- Marginally Larger Battery: With a 5000 mAh battery, it should offer competitive battery life.
- Faster Wired Charging: 33W fast charging ensures quicker refills.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: If you enjoy macro photography, this is a plus.
- Lower price: This is an important factor for budget-conscious users.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Weaknesses:
- Older Chipset: The Mediatek Helio G95 is significantly less powerful than the Exynos 2400e.
- Lower Display Quality: The 60Hz refresh rate and lower brightness don’t compete with the S24 FE's display.
- Weaker Camera Performance: It has fewer features and smaller sensors.
- Older Android Version: It ships with Android 12 while the S24 FE comes with Android 14.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Strengths:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2400e chipset offers top-tier performance.
- Stunning Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and 1900 nits brightness are a significant upgrade.
- Versatile Camera System: With larger sensors, better lenses, and OIS, it offers a premium camera experience.
- Modern Connectivity: 5G, WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 offer the most current and reliable connections.
- Wireless Charging: Adds convenience for daily charging.
- Bypass Charging: Preserves battery health during heavy gaming.
- eSim Support: Useful for frequent travelers.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus+ for improved durability.
- Longer Software Support: Being a newer device, it will likely receive updates for longer.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Weaknesses:
- Heavier Design: At 213g, it may feel heavy for some users.
- Slower Wired Charging: 25W charging is slower compared to the Poco M5s.
- Higher Price: It will undoubtedly be more expensive than the Poco M5s.
- No Dedicated Macro Lens: It lacks a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s is Best For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a reliable phone for basic tasks without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Individuals who prioritize a comfortable, lightweight design and don't need the latest performance or camera tech.
- Users Focused on Battery and Fast Wired Charging: Those needing a phone that charges quickly.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is Best For:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy watching videos, browsing, and require a great display.
- Photography Lovers: People who value camera quality and want a versatile system for various scenarios.
- Users Who Value Long-Term Use: Those who want a phone that will stay current for longer, through software updates and modern connectivity.
- Travelers: Those who use eSim or require superior location services.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- How much do you prioritize performance? If you need top-notch speed and smoothness for gaming or heavy apps, the S24 FE is the clear choice. If you're primarily focused on basic tasks, the Poco M5s will suffice.
- How important is display quality? If you frequently use your phone outdoors or value a smooth, fluid experience, the S24 FE's 120Hz display and high brightness are worth the investment.
- What are your primary camera needs? If you take a lot of photos and videos, the S24 FE will offer more flexibility and better results. If you need a macro lens and do not take professional images, the Poco M5s will be adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Daily Use: For tasks like calls, messaging, social media, and light browsing, the Xiaomi Poco M5s is sufficient and more budget friendly.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Gaming and Multimedia: The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE provides a better overall experience for gaming, multimedia, and intensive application use, despite the extra cost.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography: The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is the superior option for photographers and videographers, thanks to its more advanced camera system and video capabilities.
- Scenario 4: Travel: The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is better for travellers due to eSim capabilities and improved GPS capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I'd go with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. Here's why: As a tech journalist, I need a phone that can keep up with my demanding workflow. The superior processing power of the Exynos 2400e chipset is a major advantage for smooth multitasking, faster file processing and seamless app usage. I also highly value a great display, as I am constantly using my smartphone to view images and watch videos. The brighter, 120Hz display of the S24 FE significantly enhances the user experience. The versatile camera system is a major upgrade, which I'd find useful for work-related photography, and the wireless charging is a huge convenience. While the Xiaomi Poco M5s is a good phone, the technology on the S24FE is more powerful, durable and future-proofed. If I was not restricted by price and prioritized the best overall experience, I would definitely choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE.
