Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's a bit of a David vs. Goliath situation here, but both phones have their own merits and target different kinds of users. Let’s break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at their specs, focusing on what they mean for real-world use.
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8.3 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm | The S24 Ultra is larger and slightly bulkier, which impacts pocketability and one-handed use. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 232g | The Poco M5s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra has more screen real estate, which is great for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra's higher resolution delivers sharper, more detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 409 | 505 | S24 Ultra’s higher pixel density results in a noticeably clearer display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Poco M5s has AMOLED, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors, but Samsung uses AMOLED too (implied but not specified). | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra’s screen is much brighter, making it significantly better for outdoor use in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) | S24 Ultra's cutting-edge chipset is drastically more powerful, offering faster app launches, better multitasking and smoother gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 418,627 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra has a significantly higher score, indicating superior overall performance and speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra's GPU is considerably more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3" | S24 Ultra captures more detailed images and performs better in low-light due to its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56" | S24 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | 12MP, f/2.2 | Poco M5s has a higher resolution selfie camera but S24 Ultra has a wider aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52" | S24 Ultra offers a telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | S24 Ultra's wide-angle lens captures more detailed and better images in wide scenarios. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | N/A | Poco M5s includes a depth sensor to enhance portrait mode |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | N/A | Poco M5s has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots, which S24 Ultra lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S24 Ultra has higher video resolution, superior video quality with EIS, HDR, and Stereo sound. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, which suggests comparable battery life based on usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S24 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | The S24 Ultra offers additional features such as wireless and reverse wireless charging and bypass charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | S24 Ultra runs on a newer version of Android, with more features and better optimization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra supports the latest WiFi standard for faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 Ultra supports the newest version with better connection and battery life, plus additional audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S24 Ultra has better location accuracy and more satellite systems to work with. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra offers eSIM and physical sim support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 256GB | Up to 1TB | The S24 Ultra has significantly more storage capacity. |
| RAM | Up to 8GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra has better RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The Poco M5s offers high-resolution audio, while the S24 Ultra comes with noise cancellation microphone |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Poco M5s has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass 3 | Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra uses a newer version of Gorilla Glass with greater screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S24 Ultra has more advanced sensors, including barometer. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: This is a budget-friendly phone that punches above its weight with a great AMOLED display, a large 5000mAh battery, and a versatile set of cameras. It’s also significantly lighter and more comfortable to handle than the S24 Ultra. It's a solid choice for anyone who prioritizes good value for money without needing top-tier performance.
- Competitive Advantages: Its lower price point, high quality AMOLED screen and lighter weight make it ideal for casual users who do not need top performance, better camera quality and the advanced features that the S24 Ultra offers
- Trade-offs: Its processor is less powerful and it has lower video and image quality compared to the S24 Ultra. Also, it doesn’t have the most up-to-date software.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths: The S24 Ultra is a powerhouse with top-of-the-line performance, an incredible camera system with professional-level video capabilities, a brighter screen, and the latest software and connectivity options. It's designed for those who need the best of the best in every category.
- Competitive Advantages: Its incredibly powerful processor, significantly better display, superior camera system, and support for the newest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards make it the clear flagship choice.
- Trade-offs: It’s considerably more expensive and heavier, making it less accessible for budget-conscious buyers and those who prefer lighter phones.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users, casual photographers, students, or anyone who needs a dependable everyday phone for social media, web browsing, and basic tasks.
- Use Cases: Streaming videos, taking casual photos, using social media, and enjoying media on its vibrant AMOLED screen.
- Price-to-Value: Very high, offering significant features for a budget-friendly price.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Best Suited For: Power users, professional photographers and videographers, gamers, and those who need the most advanced technology available.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and videography, gaming, high-intensity multitasking, and those who need the best connectivity and the latest software features.
- Price-to-Value: High, as it represents a premium device with all the bells and whistles.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your buying decision:
- What's your budget? If you are on a tight budget, the Poco M5s is a much more affordable option.
- Do you need the absolute best performance and camera quality? If the answer is yes, then the S24 Ultra is the right choice, if not, the Poco M5s may be enough.
- How important are portability and comfortable use? The Poco M5s is significantly lighter and easier to handle.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Budget-Conscious User: Go for the Xiaomi Poco M5s if you want a good phone with decent capabilities without breaking the bank.
- The Photography Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice with its high-quality professional camera and superior video capabilities.
- The Power User: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the only choice due to its superior performance, display and advanced features.
- The Casual User: The Xiaomi Poco M5s is more than enough for most day-to-day use, including social media, streaming, and web browsing, if you need to save money.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the Xiaomi Poco M5s is an incredible value phone, as someone who requires consistent, high performance for editing photos and videos, plus enjoys mobile gaming, the S24 Ultra's superior performance, fantastic camera capabilities, and the latest connectivity features make it the only option that fits my needs.
While the Poco M5s is great for casual use, I need the advanced functionality and power of a top-tier device. It also has better future-proofing with its newer OS and superior software updates support. The display's higher brightness is a must for me when I am working outdoors, too. It comes down to what’s best for my use case, and the S24 Ultra wins here.
