Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Poco M5s and the Xiaomi Redmi A1+. I'll be putting on my tech journalist hat and breaking down these phones as if we were discussing them over coffee, focusing on what actually matters to you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the specifications, broken down into key areas:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Xiaomi Redmi A1+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | 164.9 × 76.8 × 9.1 mm | Poco M5s is more compact and easier to handle; Redmi A1+ is bulkier. |
| Weight | 178.8g | 192g | Poco M5s is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Material | Plastic | Plastic | Both phones use plastic construction, which is normal in the lower-mid-range price categories |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.52" | Negligible difference; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Poco M5s offers a significantly sharper image with 125% more pixels. |
| PPI | 409 | 269 | Poco M5s display is noticeably clearer and crisper, especially for reading text and viewing images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Poco M5s offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes compared to the LCD of the Redmi A1+. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer standard smoothness, which is fine for normal everyday tasks, though not ideal for demanding mobile games |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | Poco M5s is much better for outdoor visibility in sunlight, while the Redmi A1+ doesn't have any value to this and won't be ideal in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio A22 (12 nm) | Poco M5s is significantly faster for all tasks, including gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 95,000 | Poco M5s has over 300% better performance. Expect much faster app loading and much smoother experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | PowerVR GE8320 | Poco M5s has much higher graphics performance than the Redmi A1+ which will translate to much better gaming experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.9 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Poco M5s captures much higher-resolution images with significantly better light sensitivity. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Poco M5s produces higher-quality selfies, but the Redmi A1+ has a negligibly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not available | Poco M5s provides a much wider field of view, ideal for landscape and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Poco M5s is able to capture depth information, improving the portrait photos with the bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Poco M5s offers close-up photos, but with only 2MP may not be high quality. |
| Video Quality | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@30fps | Poco M5s records higher-resolution, smoother and higher frame-rate videos than the Redmi A1+. |
| Video Stabilisation | Yes | No | Poco M5s offers Digital Image Stabilisation for smooth looking footage. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 10W Charging, Li-Ion | Poco M5s charges significantly faster, with modern battery tech and a more powerful charger. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | Poco M5s can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 2 GB | Poco M5s is much better for multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 32GB | Poco M5s offers significantly more internal storage which means more space for apps, photos and videos. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Rear-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint is a little more convenient than rear-mounted fingerprint. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Poco M5s provides a much richer and more immersive sound experience. |
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 4 | Poco M5s has a more modern WiFi standard compared to the Redmi A1+ |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Poco M5s is able to connect to more satellite systems for faster location tracking. |
| OS | Android 12 | Android | Both phones run on Android, with slight differences in software experience. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: Superior display (AMOLED, high resolution, brightness), significantly more powerful processor, better graphics, much better camera system with wide angle lens and macro lens, fast charging, better audio quality with Hi-Res and stereo speakers, and more internal memory and RAM options.
- Competitive Advantages: The Poco M5s stands out as a much more capable device than the Redmi A1+, it's display is far superior, it has a much better performance and camera system, as well as a faster charging speed.
- Trade-offs: Slightly more expensive, bulkier.
Xiaomi Redmi A1+:
- Strengths: A basic phone that is quite affordable.
- Competitive Advantages: Very low price.
- Trade-offs: Limited processing power, low-resolution LCD display, basic camera, slow charging, small internal memory, and RAM.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Best Suited For: Users who need a smooth everyday experience, those who want a good camera experience, users who want to enjoy multimedia like videos, and gamers.
- Use Cases: Casual gaming, social media, capturing family photos and videos, streaming movies, navigation, and demanding apps.
Xiaomi Redmi A1+:
- Best Suited For: Basic users who primarily make phone calls, send texts, and browse the internet lightly.
- Use Cases: Making phone calls, using very basic apps, and for very light internet browsing.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- How important is display quality? If you value a sharp, vibrant, and bright screen, the Poco M5s is the only option between the two devices.
- How much do you prioritize performance? If you need smooth multitasking and want to enjoy games, the Poco M5s is significantly better in all categories and you will experience an enormous upgrade.
- What is your budget? If you have an extremely tight budget and only need a basic device, the Redmi A1+ may fit your needs, if you want a more capable device, the Poco M5s is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- "I need a reliable phone for basic tasks": The Redmi A1+ will do the job, but if you want more fluidity and better experience on a daily basis, the Poco M5s is the better option.
- "I want a phone that can handle everything": The Poco M5s is the better option as it's much better in terms of overall performance and has a much higher build quality.
- "I take a lot of photos and videos": The Poco M5s is by far the superior option because it has a high-quality main camera as well as a wide-angle lens, depth sensor and macro lens. On top of that, it's capable of recording high-quality video, while the Redmi A1+ doesn't have a good camera at all.
What I would choose and why
Personally, I would absolutely go for the Xiaomi Poco M5s. The difference in performance and features between these two devices is massive. The AMOLED display alone is a game-changer, offering a much more enjoyable viewing experience than the Redmi A1+'s basic LCD. The superior processor, camera system, and fast charging all contribute to a much smoother and more versatile daily experience. While it costs more, the Poco M5s offers much more value and a substantially better user experience, it's not even a fair fight as the Redmi A1+ is extremely basic, and the Poco M5s is a much more modern smartphone. Ultimately, the Poco M5s is the only device between the two that I would use daily as the Redmi A1+ is not a capable enough device for me.
