Poco M5

Xiaomi’s Poco M5 is a budget-friendly handset that's quite similar to its 5G variant, the Poco M4, in terms of features and design. Both phones are affordable and come equipped with MediaTek processors, with the M5 being a 4G phone while the M4 is a 5G phone. The Poco M5 is available in more markets worldwide, including Pakistan. This review focuses on the Poco M5's price in Pakistan and whether it's worth the cost.

The Poco M5 comes with a 6.58-inch IPS LCD panel, similar to that of the Poco M4 5G, with a resolution of 1080 x 2408px and a 90Hz refresh rate. While the phone does not have HDR capabilities, it supports Widevine L1, allowing for Full HD playback on Netflix. The display has better automatic brightness and is more responsive to ambient light changes than the Poco M4 5G. The maximum brightness is not enough for comfortable outdoor use on a bright sunny day.

The Poco M5 comes with a 5,000mAh battery that offers solid battery life. The overall endurance score is 121 hours, the same as that of the Poco M4 5G. The charging speed, however, is relatively slow by 2022 standards, taking 2 hours and 19 minutes for a full charge with the included 22.5W Xiaomi charger.

The Poco M5 boasts impressive performance and camera capabilities for its price point. It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 processor, which delivers smooth and lag-free performance, making it ideal for gaming and multitasking. The phone also comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, depending on the variant. The camera setup is equally impressive, with a triple-camera system featuring a 50MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is a 8MP sensor, which can capture sharp and detailed selfies.

The Poco M5 faces competition from several smartphones in its price range. The Poco M4 5G is a similar device but with 5G capability and a 13MP primary camera instead of 50MP. The Redmi Note 11 offers similar specs to the Poco M5 but at a lower price point, with a brighter and more enjoyable 90Hz OLED, Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, slightly better cameras, and faster 33W charging. The Realme 9i has the same hardware as the Poco M5 but offers faster 33W charging and runs on Realme UI instead of MIUI, which could be a deciding factor based on software preference. Samsung also offers several phones in this price range, including the Galaxy A04s, Galaxy A13, and Galaxy M13, but the Poco M5 outperforms them with its Helio G99 chipset and MIUI 13.

The Poco M5 is a budget phone that offers good value for its asking price. It runs on a big battery, a dependable MIUI 13 Android skin, and has adequate photography skills for a low-end device. The phone is ideal for users who don't require 5G connectivity and don't want to spend a fortune on a smartphone. Overall, the Poco M5 is a great option for those looking for a phone that offers solid performance and camera capabilities without breaking the bank. The Poco M5's price in Pakistan is worth the cost, considering the phone's features and capabilities.