Poco has been bringing gamer-friendly features to the affordable end of the smartphone spectrum for a while now, and the new Poco M5 is no different – but the M5s launching alongside it has more of a photography focus. Both are sub-£200 phones with MediaTek internals, big batteries and sizeable screens.
First up, the M5. It’s packing a 6.58in, IPS LCD screen with 90Hz dynamic refresh rate and 2400×1080 resolution. A 240Hz sampling rate promises a rapid response to taps and swipes while playing, and Poco reckons the brightness hold up well once you step outside.
Inside, power comes from a MediaTek Helio G99 octa-core CPU, paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of on-board storage. The dedicated Game Turbo 5.0 mode sticks other apps on the back burner while you’re gaming to get the best possible frame rates, and mute incoming notifications so you’re not disturbed. A 5000mAh battery should keep the lights on long enough to hit that new high score, and it’ll recharge at 18W.
There’s a triple rear camera setup around back, headlined by a 50MP main snapper. We’re less enthused by the 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro lens, but maybe they’ll punch above their weight.
Cameras are the focus of the Poco M5s, which steps up to 64MP for its main shooter, and adds an 8MP ultrawide, while keeping the depth and macro cams. It’ll shoot 4K video at 30fps (something not all sub-£200 phones can claim). There’s also a 13MP selfie cam up front.
It has a smaller, 6.43in display which stick to 60Hz, but Poco has swapped LCD tech for an AMOLED panel that promises more vibrant colours, better contrast, and inky blacks that’ll give movies more visual pop. It’s powered by the slightly older MediaTek Helio G95 CPU, but still finds room inside for a 5000mAh battery.
The Poco M5 is heading to the UK in the next few weeks, in a choice of Black, Green and Yellow colours. Brits will be able to bag one with 64GB of storage for £190, either from Amazon or direct from the Poco website, or with 128GB of storage for £210. Early birds can get them for £160 and £180 if they slap down some cash before the 24th of September.
Stepping up to the Poco M5s will cost you £180 for a 64GB variant, in either Grey, White or Blue colours. A 128GB version will cost £200. Both will land in mid-October, with first-week discounts bringing the price down to £150 and £170 respectively until the 22nd of October.
