Xiaomi Poco M5 vs Poco M5s: Detailed Comparison and What to Choose in 2026

Choosing between the Xiaomi Poco M5 and the Xiaomi Poco M5s may seem like a simple task — both are budget-friendly, have similar designs and are positioned as devices for gamers and active users. However, under the hood there are fundamental differences that affect performance, shooting quality and even comfort of daily use. If you are faced with a dilemma about which of these devices to buy in 2026, this article will help to put everything on the shelves.

Let's just say: Poco M5s — It’s not just a “revamped version” of Poco. M5, It's actually another smartphone with a different chipset, screen and approach to photography. M5s his AMOLED-Display and improved main camera, others prefer M5 We'll go through 7 key differences that will help you decide on your choice, and also reveal the pitfalls of each model, which the manufacturer does not mention.

1. Processors: MediaTek Helio G99 vs Snapdragon 680 - which is faster?

The main "iron" difference between models lies in chipsets. M5 Powered by MediaTek Helio G99 — A relatively new processor (released in 2022) that is positioned as a gaming processor. M5s It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, which is a year older but belongs to a different architecture.

In practice, this means:

• 🎮 Helio G99 POCO M5 Shows better results in games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) due to higher frequency GPU — up to 1000 MHz vs. 825 MHz for the Snapdragon 680.
• 📱 Snapdragon 680 in Poco M5s More energy efficient and better optimized for everyday tasks (social networks, instant messengers, video viewing).
• 🔋 In Poco's heating tests M5 It is more intense with long loads, while M5s maintains a temperature of 40–43°C.

If you want to play games or multitask, the Poco M5 is the obvious choice. For those who value stability and battery life, the M5s may be the preferred choice.

2.Screens: 90Hz IPS vs 90Hz AMOLED - which is better for the eyes?

Poco's here. M5s It is able to break ahead with an impressive advantage: the model has a 6.43-inch AMOLED-display with support for 1000 nits of brightness and certification TÜV Low Blue Light. while Poco M5 offers a 6.58-inch IPS LCD with a maximum brightness of 500 nits and a higher refresh rate (90 Hz vs 90 Hz y) M5s, but with adaptive synchronization).

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option:

AMOLED in the Poco M5s provides deeper black and better readability in the sun, but the IPS in the Poco M5 is less prone to burnout and degradation over time. If you watch videos or play often, the M5s will be more comfortable. For everyday tasks, the difference is not critical.

⚠️ Attention: At Poco M5 when the adaptive refresh rate is enabled (Settings) → Display. → Update frequency) may be observed microstuttering when scrolling - this is a feature of the firmware MIUI. V M5s There's no problem.

3. Cameras: 64 MP vs 64 MP - why are the photos different?

On paper, the main cameras on both smartphones are identical -- 64 MP (f/1.8) with phase autofocus. But in practice, the results are strikingly different, it's all about the image processing processor (ISP) and Xiaomi's algorithms.

Key differences:

• 📸 Poco M5s Sony uses it IMX682 — A more modern sensor with better light sensitivity. M5 installed by OmniVision OV64B, The one who is worse at dealing with noise in the dark.
• 🌃 Night mode in M5s It works faster and retains more details, while M5 Often "blurred" small objects.
• 🎥 Video on M5s can be filmed 4K@30fps, then M5 limited 1080p@60fps.

Examples of photos in the same conditions:

⚠️ Attention: At Poco M5 When shooting in 64 MP mode, files weigh up to 20-25 MB, whereas in the M5s The same mode produces 12 to 15 MB of images through more efficient compression, which affects the memory space occupied.

4. Battery and charging: 5,000 mAh vs 5,000 mAh - who lives longer?

Both models have 5,000 mAh batteries, but battery life is different due to the optimization of firmware and processors.

• 🔋 Poco M5s (Snapdragon 680 in mode of moderate use (social networks, messengers, 3-4 hours of screen time) lasts 1.5-2 days.
• ⚡ Poco M5 (Helio G99) at the same loads discharged in 1-1.5 days, but supports fast charging of 33 W against 18 W M5s.

Charging time comparison table:

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If you travel frequently, take the Poco M5 with you - it charges 2 times faster, which is critical on the road. For home use, the M5s is more profitable due to less battery wear.

5. Design and ergonomics: plastic vs plastic, but with nuances

Both smartphones are made of plastic, but the approach to the design is different:

• 📏 Poco M5 thickness (8.9 mm vs 8.1 mm y) M5s) heavier (201 g vs 178.8 g).
• 🎨 Poco M5s It has a gradient coloration (e.g., the Poco Yellow variant), whereas M5 Offers only matte monochromatic colors.
• 🔕 The headphone jack 3.5 mm is in both models, but in M5s It is less convenient, closer to the lower edge.

An important nuance: the Poco M5 has no stereo speakers – sound comes from only one lower speaker, while the M5s is equipped with dual stereo speakers (although the sound quality is still budget).

Make sure the screen doesn’t have broken pixels (show a black background)

Check the operation of all cameras (especially macro module)

Evaluate the heating of the body when starting games

Listen to the speaker at maximum volume-->

6.Software: MIUI 13 vs MIUI 14 - what's changed?

At the time of release (2023), the Poco M5 came with a MIUI 13 based on Android 12, and the Poco M5s with MIUI 14 (Android 13). In 2026, both models received an update to HyperOS, but there are nuances:

• 🔄 Poco M5s Android 14 was released earlier (in the first quarter of 2026). M5 It was only updated in the second.
• 📱 V M5s App Vault (fast access to the widget with weather, pedometer, etc.) is implemented, which is not available in the app M5.
• 🔒 Poco M5 I have trouble with Always-on Display (because of the IPS-screen, while in M5s This function is working correctly.

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If you want to keep up with the long-term upgrades, take the Poco M5s – Xiaomi has traditionally supported Snapdragon models longer than MediaTek.

7.Price and Affordability: Which is Better in 2026?

At the time of writing (June 2026), the prices for the models were distributed as follows:

• 💰 Xiaomi Poco M5 (4/64 GB - from 12 000 ₽ (new).
• 💰 Xiaomi Poco M5s (4/64 GB - from 14 500 ₽ (new).
• 🔄 In the secondary market, the difference is reduced to 1,000-1,500 ₽.

Should you overpay? Yes, if you're critical:

• 📷 Quality of photos (especially in the dark).
• 🌞 Reading in the sun (AMOLED vs IPS).
• 🔋 Autonomous time.

Not if:

• 🎮 You are an active gamer (Helio) G99 into M5 stronger).
• ⚡ You need a quick charge.
• 💸 Budget limited.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Poco M5 and Poco M5s