Apple iPhone 12 vs POCO M5s
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 commands a significant premium at $799 versus the POCO M5s at $199, reflecting vastly different target markets. Processing power heavily favors Apple, with the A14 Bionic delivering superior performance compared to the Helio G95, making the iPhone 12 substantially faster for everyday tasks and gaming. Camera capabilities diverge notably: iPhone 12 offers superior computational photography, 4K Dolby Vision video, and optical image stabilization, while POCO M5s counters with higher megapixel counts (64MP main) that translate to mediocre real-world results. Display quality strongly favors the iPhone 12's 120-nit brighter OLED screen versus the POCO's AMOLED panel. Battery life leans toward POCO M5s with its 5000mAh capacity and faster 33W charging, though iPhone 12's MagSafe wireless charging adds convenience. Build quality decisively favors iPhone 12 with ceramic shield protection and IP68 water resistance. At four times the price, iPhone 12 justifies premium positioning through iOS ecosystem, A14 processor dominance, and superior optics. POCO M5s serves budget-conscious users seeking large screens and battery endurance. iPhone 12 is the clear choice for performance and photography seekers; POCO M5s suits those prioritizing value and battery life.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the POCO M5s if…
- →AMOLED display at $199 is exceptional — deep blacks and vibrant colors
- →Large 5000 mAh battery lasts two days with moderate use
- →64 MP main camera takes good daylight photos
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
POCO M5s
Pros
- AMOLED display at $199 is exceptional — deep blacks and vibrant colors
- Large 5000 mAh battery lasts two days with moderate use
- 64 MP main camera takes good daylight photos
- 33W fast charging is quick for the price range
- Slim and lightweight at 178.8 g
Cons
- No 5G — limited to 4G LTE
- 60Hz display feels dated compared to 90Hz competitors
- Helio G95 struggles with demanding games
- 2 MP macro and depth cameras are filler
- No water resistance rating
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | POCO M5s |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12 (MIUI 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 178.8 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame and back, glass front |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.29 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 64 MP, f/1.79, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.43 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz + 6x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | MediaTek Helio G95 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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