Xiaomi has just presented its new POCO X5 Pro, a mobile with 5G connectivity, excellent specifications and a price that will leave you speechless. It is called to be the great best seller of the season in the mid-range, something that has already become customary in this series.
However, there is a question that remains in the air for some users: How much does this mobile improve compared to the previous generation? The POCO X4 Pro 5G sold very well, but it is undeniable that it was a step back from the mythical POCO X3 Pro of 2021. Could it be that POCO corrected the course for 2023? We find out below in this comparison between the POCO X5 Pro 5G and the POCO X4 Pro 5G in which we will detail all their differences.
Comparison table of specifications: POCO X5 Pro 5G vs. LITTLE X4 Pro 5G
|
Specifications |
LITTLE X5 Pro 5G |
LITTLE X4 Pro 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions and weight | 162.91 x 76.03 x 7.9mm. 181 grams. | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1mm. 202 grams. |
| Screen | 6.67″ Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) with panel AMOLEDrefresh rate of 120hz240 Hz touch sampling, 900 nits peak brightness, 395 ppi, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. | 6.67″ Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) with panel AMOLEDrefresh rate of 120hz360 Hz touch sampling, 1200 nits maximum brightness, 395 ppi, HDR10 and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G with Adreno 642L graphics. | Qualcomm snapdragon 695 with Adreno 619 graphics. |
| RAM | 6 or 8GB LPDDR4X. | 6 or 8GB LPDDR4X. |
| Storage | 128 or 256GB UFS 2.2. | 64, 128 or 256 GB UFS 2.2, expandable up to 1TB with microSD. |
| Rear camera | Triple: main sensor 108MP with f/1.9 and PDAF + Ultra Wide Angle 8MP with f/2.2 and 120° field of view + 2 MP Macro with f/2.4. LED flash. | Triple: main sensor 108MP with f/1.9 and PDAF + Ultra Wide Angle 8MP with f/2.2 and 118° field of view + 2 MP Macro with f/2.4. LED flash. |
| Frontal camera | 16MP with f/2.4. | 16MP with f/2.4. |
| connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi 6 dual band, Dual SIM 5G,Bluetooth 5.2, nfcGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, infrared emitter, side fingerprint reader, stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack. | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5 dual band, Dual SIM 5G,Bluetooth 5.1, nfcGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, infrared emitter, side fingerprint reader, stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack. |
| Battery | 5000mAh with fast charging 67W and 5W reverse charging. | 5000mAh with fast charging 67W and 5W reverse charging. |
| OS | MIUI 14 for POCO based on Android 12. | MIUI 13 for POCO based on Android 11. |
| Price | From €349.99. | From €299.99. |
| buy it here |
The screen and design of the POCO X5 Pro 5G take steps forward, but also backwards
The launch of the POCO X4 Pro 5G marked the arrival of AMOLED panels in this series, something that its next-generation replacement inherits. The POCO X5 Pro 5G has a screen very similar to that of the 2022 modelwith a size of 6.67 inches, Full HD + resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 5.
However, the POCO X5 Pro 5G receives a couple of additional improvements: Dolby Vision and HDR10 +, two certifications that will guarantee you superior image quality. Unfortunately, this good news is accompanied by bad news: its panel reaches a maximum brightness of only 900 nits, 25% less than what the POCO X4 Pro 5G offers (1200 nits). It is not a small thing, although we consider that better image quality may be more important.
And how are things going in the design department? The exact same thing happens. We like the new camera module which, although it is larger, gives greater prominence to the lenses. Likewise, the contrast generated by the black borders in the yellow POCO X5 Pro 5G seems fantastic to us.
However, the rest of the rear of the POCO X5 Pro 5G is a very clear step back compared to that of the POCO X4 Pro 5G. Not only goes from glass to plastic, the great reflection effect is also lost to stay in a matte finish if very graceful. Luckily, the IP53 certification against dust and splashes is maintained, as well as the stereo speakers.
The POCO X5 Pro 5G snacks on the POCO X4 Pro 5G and is once again what was expected
A highly criticized aspect of the POCO X4 Pro 5G was its power, since it meant a very clear step back compared to the POCO X3 Pro. The 2021 device had a Snapdragon 860 whose AnTuTu performance is around 561,000 points. Meanwhile, the POCO X4 Pro 5G 2022 equipped a Snapdragon 695, which registers a humble 395,000 points.
Xiaomi apparently took the criticism as it should and decided to correct the situation for the 2023 model. Thus, equipped his POCO X5 Pro 5G with a Snapdragon 778G, which is currently considered the best chip for the affordable mid-range. Its performance is excellent, something that is evident in its average record in AnTuTu of 535,000 points. It still lags behind the POCO X3 Pro in power, but the POCO X5 Pro 5G has many other advantages going for it.
What other changes are there in this section? Xiaomi decided to simplify its list of variants, so it was left with only two configurations: 6 GB + 128 GB and 8 GB + 128 GB. The 64 GB model disappears, although the RAM (LPDDR4X) and storage (UFS 2.2) formats are maintained. Eye, what microSD support is lost on the POCO X5 Pro.
And as for software? Well, ideally, the POCO X5 Pro 5G would have been released directly with Android 13, but unfortunately it comes with Android 12 and MIUI 14 for POCO. Even so, it is a step forward compared to the POCO X4 Pro 5G that carried Android 11 at its inception.
The cameras are (almost) identical between the POCO X5 Pro 5G and the POCO X4 Pro 5G, the same with the battery
One of the things that led Xiaomi to invest less in the power of the POCO X4 Pro 5G was to give its cameras a boost. They certainly meant a big leap from the POCO X3 Pro and that is something we appreciate.
With the POCO X5 Pro 5G they decided to maintain a very similar proposalalthough with slight changes. This seems like a success to us, since they are one of the best cameras you can find at these price levels. The changes are as follows:
- The main camera remains intact with 108 MPfocal aperture f / 1.9 and PDAF, in charge of the famous Samsung HM2 sensor.
- The ultra wide angle is also at 8 MP and f / 2.2, but its viewing angle goes up to 120º, which is positive. However, the Sony IMX355 sensor is replaced by a Samsung S5K4H7, which is smaller and could affect light capture.
- The macro lens remains at 2 MP and f/2.4although the sensor changes from the GalaxyCore GC02M1 to the Omnivision OV02B10, which is practically identical.
- The front camera is the samewith a resolution of 16 MP, f/2.4 and an Omnivision OV16A1Q sensor.
Finally, you should know that the battery and charging speed of the POCO X5 Pro 5G is the same as that of the POCO X4 Pro 5G: 5000 mAh and fast charge of 67 W. However, the 2023 model receives a small novelty: reverse charging of 5 W.
The POCO X5 Pro 5G is everything the POCO X4 Pro 5G was meant to be
As you could notice throughout this comparison, the POCO X5 Pro 5G is a great cell phone and everything that the POCO X4 Pro 5G should have been at the time. But, How is it with the prices? Is it really worth taking the leap? Let’s talk about prices first:
- LITTLE X5 Pro 5G (6GB + 128GB): €349.99.
- LITTLE X5 Pro 5G (8GB + 256GB): €399.99.
- LITTLE X4 Pro 5G (6GB + 128GB): €299.99.
- LITTLE X4 Pro 5G (8GB + 256GB): €349.99.
As you can see, the POCO X5 Pro 5G is 50 euros more expensive than its equivalent versions in the POCO X4 Pro 5G. However, it is a difference that is well covered with all the news that are introduced in this new generation. Besides, for some unknown reason, the POCO X4 Pro 5G has a higher price than the recommended price in stores, so the real difference is smaller.
That being said, if you are deciding between buying one or the other, definitely you must make the direct jump to the POCO X5 Pro 5G. The improvements are worth the extra investment, you get an extra year of support, and this is quite possibly the new king of the mid-range. However, if you already have the POCO X4 Pro 5G, you better wait for the POCO X6 Pro 5G in 2024.
