Okay, let's break down these two Xiaomi contenders, the Poco M5s and the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, and see where they each shine (and where they might fall a bit short). I'll put on my tech journalist hat and try to make sense of all these specs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on the practical implications for you, the user:
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm, 178.8g | 161.4 × 74.2 × 8.9 mm, 199g | M5s is a bit lighter, while the Note 13 Pro+ is slightly larger and thicker. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.67" | Redmi Note 13 Pro+ has a slightly more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Note 13 Pro+ offers sharper text and images; more detail for your viewing experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 446 | Note 13 Pro+ has a slightly crisper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Note 13 Pro+ provides smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 1800 nits | Note 13 Pro+ will be much more readable under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4nm) | Note 13 Pro+ is significantly faster and more power-efficient due to the newer process. |
| AnTuTu Score | 418,627 | 803,381 | Note 13 Pro+ delivers a much smoother, more responsive experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Note 13 Pro+ has a newer architecture that should handle demanding apps and games better |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should last a full day on moderate usage. |
| Charging | 33W | 120W | Note 13 Pro+ will charge from 0% to 100% much faster, great if you're always in a hurry. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | M5s can charge other devices, useful in a pinch. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2", OV64B, 0.7µm | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4", ISOCELL HP3, 0.56µm | Note 13 Pro+ captures much higher detail; slightly better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", OV13B10, 1.12µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", OV16A1Q, 1.00µm | Note 13 Pro+ has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX355, 1.14µm | N/A | M5s has a dedicated wide-angle lens; Note 13 Pro+ combines wide angle with macro. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", GC02M1, 1.75µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", OV02B10, 1.75µm | Both provide basic depth effects for portraits. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", OV02B10, 1.75µm | N/A | M5s has a dedicated macro lens; Note 13 Pro+ lacks a dedicated macro. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", IMX355, 1.14µm | Note 13 Pro+ uses a combined wide angle and macro lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p up to 120fps | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p up to 120fps(EIS) | Note 13 Pro+ includes electronic image stabilization, which would help improve quality of shaky videos. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 121 (Mobile), 123 (Photo), 117 (Video) | Note 13 Pro+ camera is tested and has a higher overall score. |
| Camera Features | Quad, Digital IS | Triple, OIS, PDAF, Continuous shooting | Note 13 Pro+ has better video stabilization and more advanced focus features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | Note 13 Pro+ has a newer OS version, likely receiving more feature updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Note 13 Pro+ supports newer Wi-Fi standard offering faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Note 13 Pro+ offers a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version, better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Note 13 Pro+ supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | Note 13 Pro+ supports eSIM, good for travel or dual carrier use. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Note 13 Pro+ offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | Note 13 Pro+ provides more RAM, which would make multitasking seamless. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage for either; choose a model with enough internal storage for your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both offer stereo speakers; the M5s has Hi-Res Audio, Note 13 Pro+ has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | M5s offers better fingerprint sensor placement, Note 13 Pro+ uses basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Note 13 Pro+ has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | M5s has Ultrasonic proximity sensor, note 13 pro+ has simple proximity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Strengths: Lighter and slightly more compact design, reverse charging, dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Hi-Res audio is a plus.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone is built to be your reliable companion. The dedicated lenses add more shooting options, and the side-mounted sensor could be faster for unlocking your phone. The reverse charging is a handy feature.
- Trade-offs: Older chipset, slower refresh rate, lower display brightness, less advanced camera features like OIS, less RAM and storage, older OS and less fast charging.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+:
- Strengths: Superior display with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, more powerful chipset, much faster charging, a much higher resolution primary camera with OIS, newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards, and more RAM and internal storage.
- Competitive Advantages: It is designed to be the high-performance option, with a cutting-edge processor, beautiful display, and very fast charging. The camera is likely to produce very good images.
- Trade-offs: More expensive, thicker and heavier, no dedicated macro lens, the fingerprint sensor might not be as fast or convenient as the side-mounted sensor of M5s.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize affordability, a lighter phone with basic camera needs and an emphasis on battery features like reverse charging. It’s also great for media consumption with the Hi-Res Audio.
- Use Cases: Daily tasks, casual photography, media consumption, those who like to charge their accessories with their phone's battery.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize performance, photography, and a premium display experience, and want very fast charging. Gamers, content creators, and those who need a phone that can keep up with demanding tasks will benefit the most.
- Use Cases: Gaming, heavy multitasking, high-resolution photography and videography, watching HDR content and all other demanding usage scenarios.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How much do you value raw performance and display quality? If you need the snappiest performance and the best visuals, go for the Note 13 Pro+. If you are ok with less powerful specs go for the M5s.
- What kind of photography and videography do you do? The Note 13 Pro+ has a much more advanced primary camera, OIS and better stabilization for video; while the M5s offers dedicated wide angle and macro lenses if you prefer those.
- What's your budget and how much do you care about premium features like super fast charging, latest software and high refresh rate? The Note 13 Pro+ is a step up in price, while the M5s offers great value for less money.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Casual User: If you're mainly using your phone for social media, messaging, and browsing, the Poco M5s will be sufficient and will save you money.
- The Power User: If you’re a gamer, content creator, or someone who pushes their phone to the limits, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is the clear choice.
- The Photographer: If you do photography and videography, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers more advanced features and a high resolution, and better image quality.
- The Budget-Conscious Buyer: If you want a smartphone that will do the basic stuff and still have great battery, the Poco M5s is the value champion.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones for my personal use, I would pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+. I value the combination of processing power, a high-quality display, fast charging, and the significantly improved camera performance too much to pass up. While I appreciate that the Poco M5s has some features such as reverse charging, and side-mounted fingerprint sensor, the overall experience with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ would make my daily use easier and much more enjoyable for a higher cost.
