Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. As a tech journalist and smartphone analyst, I'm keen to see how these two devices stack up in real-world scenarios, not just on paper.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The Redmi 12 5G is larger and slightly wider, potentially making it less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 199g | The Poco M5s is lighter, which is beneficial for extended use and pocket-friendliness. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.79" | The Redmi 12 5G offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both have similar resolutions, but the Redmi 12 5G's display is slightly sharper due to the increased vertical pixels. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 396 PPI | Both screens are sharp; the Poco M5s provides slightly more crisp text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Poco M5s has a superior display with better blacks, contrast, and vibrant colors, ideal for immersive viewing. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Redmi 12 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid feel. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The Poco M5s is significantly brighter and easier to see outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Redmi 12 5G's newer chip should offer better efficiency and a modest performance bump. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 456,552 | The Redmi 12 5G has a slightly higher benchmark score, indicating marginally better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 613 | Different GPUs, potentially affecting gaming performance; the Redmi 12 5G GPU is generally more efficient. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Poco M5s captures more detailed photos. The Redmi 12 5G has slightly better low-light performance due to the wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Poco M5s offers much better resolution for selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | The Poco M5s provides a wider field of view, great for landscape shots and group photos. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer a depth sensor for portrait mode with similar performance |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Poco M5s enables close-up photography, a feature missing on the Redmi 12 5G. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Poco M5s captures higher-resolution video and offers more slow-motion options |
| Camera 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 | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The Poco M5s has 4K video recording, a quad camera setup and night mode, while the Redmi 12 5G has OIS and PDAF |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both devices offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 18W fast charging | The Poco M5s charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | The Poco M5s can charge other devices |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer OS and has Android 14 update planned, offering more software features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, MiMO | 802.11ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards; The Poco M5s features Wi-Fi MiMO for better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE | Both have the same Bluetooth version for audio and peripheral connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | The Poco M5s includes Galileo for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | The Redmi 12 5G doesn't have a base 64 GB storage option |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both offer the same RAM options |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | The Poco M5s provides a higher-quality audio experience. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen offers richer colors and better outdoor visibility.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution in main and selfie cameras, a wide-angle lens, and a macro lens.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides a more immersive audio experience.
- More Sensors: Includes a gyroscope and light sensor for better usability and gaming.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Strengths:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking with a more immersive experience.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate for smoother animations.
- Newer Chipset: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) chip is more efficient and offers marginally better performance.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 and planned update to 14, offering more up-to-date features and security.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Offers better image and video stabilization
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Poco M5s: Older Android version (Android 12) and no expandable storage.
- Redmi 12 5G: Lacks an AMOLED display, wide-angle camera, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Media Enthusiasts: The superior AMOLED display and stereo speakers make it excellent for watching videos and listening to music.
- Photography Lovers: The quad-camera setup with a higher-resolution main sensor, wide-angle lens and macro lens provides flexibility in different shooting scenarios.
- Users on the Go: The 33W fast charging minimizes downtime.
- Gamers: Includes a gyroscope and light sensor which are crucial for various games.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G:
- Budget-Conscious Users: A balance of a large screen with adequate processing power at a competitive price point.
- Casual Gamers: The 90Hz refresh rate and Snapdragon chipset enhance the gaming experience.
- Users Needing Long-Term Support: Comes with a more recent version of Android and an update planned.
- Users Looking for a Larger Display: The display is ideal for media consumption.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- Display Preference: Do you prioritize vibrant colors and outdoor visibility (Poco M5s), or do you want a larger, smoother screen (Redmi 12 5G)?
- Camera Needs: Do you need versatile photography tools like a wide-angle lens and a macro lens (Poco M5s), or are you happy with a decent main camera and OIS (Redmi 12 5G)?
- Charging Speed and Updates: Do you value faster charging (Poco M5s), or is the most recent OS and planned updates more important (Redmi 12 5G)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Casual User: If you want a basic smartphone for daily tasks and media consumption, the Redmi 12 5G is suitable thanks to its large and smoother screen and recent OS.
- Scenario 2: The Tech Enthusiast: The Poco M5s is ideal due to its superior screen, better cameras, and more complete sensor suite.
- Scenario 3: The On-the-Go User: The Poco M5s offers faster charging and better outdoor screen visibility, making it more practical for heavy use.
Final Thoughts:
Both phones have different strengths. The Xiaomi Poco M5s shines with its superior AMOLED display, versatile camera system, and fast charging, making it a great choice for media consumption and photography enthusiasts. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G, however, makes a strong case with its larger, smoother screen, more efficient chipset, and newer OS. It caters well to budget-conscious users who prioritize media consumption and having up to date software.
Which would I choose?
Personally, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s. While I appreciate the Redmi 12 5G's larger, smoother display and newer chipset, the Poco M5s's AMOLED screen, significantly better cameras (especially the versatility of the additional lenses), and substantially faster charging are far more compelling for my needs. As someone who often finds myself using a smartphone for creative work (photography and some video editing) and media consumption in various environments, the Poco M5s's better screen and more complete camera system make it a better fit for my needs. The faster charging is an added bonus, making it a very practical daily driver.
