Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Xiaomi Poco M5s. These two phones from Xiaomi occupy similar price points, but as we dig deeper, we’ll see some key differences that will appeal to different types of users.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi 10 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162 × 75.5 × 8.9 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | M5s is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 181g | 178.8g | Both are virtually the same weight, so neither is significantly lighter or heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.43" | Redmi 10 offers a slightly larger screen, though not by much. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer sharp, detailed images. |
| PPI | 405 | 409 | Both have high pixel density for crisp visuals. |
| Technology | - | AMOLED | M5s has a significantly superior AMOLED display with richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | Redmi 10 offers smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | M5s offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G88 | MediaTek Helio G95 | M5s features a faster chipset, leading to better app performance and more responsiveness overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 253,600 | 418,627 | M5s demonstrates notably better performance in benchmarks, particularly for gaming and heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G76 MC4 | M5s has a more powerful GPU, offering better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | 64MP, f/1.9, 1/2" | M5s has higher resolution (64MP vs. 50MP) and a larger sensor, which should result in better low light performance. The Redmi 10 has a slightly wider aperture, though. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06" | M5s offers a higher resolution selfie camera with bigger pixel sizes, better for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Both phones offer very similar wide-angle lens performance. |
| Portrait Mode Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both phones offer the same 2MP portrait lens, which is typical in this price range. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Both phones offer the same 2MP macro lens, which is typical in this price range. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion at 960fps | M5s offers significantly higher video resolution (4k), smoother 1080p footage (60 fps vs 30fps), and advanced slow-motion options. |
| Features | HDR, RAW, Continous shooting | HDR, Night Mode | M5s supports night mode. Redmi 10 supports RAW photo capture, and continuous shooting. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | M5s charges significantly faster than Redmi 10. |
| Features | 9W Reverse Wired Charging | Reverse Charging | Both have reverse charging capabilities, and the Redmi 10 also offers a wired reverse charging option. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | M5s has a slightly newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | The Poco M5s offers a greater variety of storage options, including 256GB. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | The Poco M5s offers a larger 8GB RAM option for demanding users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Poco M5s offers better audio quality with the inclusion of Hi-Res Audio. |
2. Key Insights
Xiaomi Redmi 10 Strengths:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate offers a slightly smoother experience in general navigation and app usage.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: The slightly wider f/1.8 aperture may offer minor low-light performance advantages in the main camera.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1, with APT-x support.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display offers significantly better visual quality, especially for viewing media, playing games and using dark mode.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset combined with the Mali-G76 MC4 GPU results in higher benchmarks and better overall performance.
- Superior Camera Performance: With a higher resolution main sensor, larger sensor size and better selfie camera, the camera system of the M5s should be able to produce better quality images.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging is a big advantage, meaning less time plugged into the wall.
- More Advanced Video Recording: The M5s supports 4k recording and 1080p at 60fps.
Trade-offs:
- Redmi 10: The 90Hz refresh rate isn't always worth the slight drop in overall performance and display quality.
- Poco M5s: The 60Hz refresh rate is not as smooth as the Redmi 10.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi 10 is best for:
- Casual users: Those who prioritize smooth scrolling over top-tier visuals.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Who want a decent screen and features for a low price.
- Users focused on low light photography: May find the f/1.8 aperture a slightly better choice.
Xiaomi Poco M5s is best for:
- Media consumers: Those who watch videos and consume media on their phones.
- Gamers: Who will see big improvements in performance due to the better GPU and processor.
- Photography enthusiasts: Wanting higher resolution photos, better selfie photos and night mode.
- Users wanting to fast charge their phones: The faster charging is a very useful feature for people on the go.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good outdoor visibility, the Poco M5s is the clear winner with its AMOLED panel. If you are OK with a standard LCD, the Redmi 10 can do.
- How much do you value performance and gaming? If you're a power user, gamer, or multitasker, the Poco M5s's superior processing and graphics power will be much more satisfying.
- How important is fast charging to you? The Poco M5s offers nearly twice the charging speed, meaning less time waiting and more time on the go.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Everyday User: If you're a typical user and value fast charging and overall performance, the Poco M5s offers a much better experience.
- For the Content Creator: If you create video content the Poco M5s offers better quality in 4k and better slow-motion options.
- For the Budget Gamer: If you love gaming on your phone, the Poco M5s is significantly faster, offering better performance.
My Personal Choice:
If I had to choose between the Xiaomi Redmi 10 and the Xiaomi Poco M5s, I'd go with the Poco M5s. While the Redmi 10 has a slightly smoother display with its 90Hz refresh rate, the superior AMOLED display on the Poco M5s with its vivid colors, much better contrast, and higher brightness is the main draw for me. Combine that with the faster processing, the superior camera, and significantly quicker charging, and it’s a clear win for the Poco M5s in my book. The M5s aligns more with my day-to-day use, especially enjoying content consumption and occasional gaming while having the benefit of fast charging. For me, the improved performance, video capability and screen quality outweigh the Redmi 10's marginal advantage of a higher refresh rate.
