The Xiaomi Poco X5 price in Kenya is Ksh 38,000. The Poco X5 features 4G, 5G Networks, 6GB RAM / 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM / 256GB ROM, 6.67 inches AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Display, Android 12 OS, Triple Rear & 13MP Front Camera, Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Chipset, Octa-core CPU, 5000 mAh Non Removable Li-Po Battery with 33W wired Charging
The Poco X5 5G, like its predecessor from last year, has a counterpart in Xiaomi’s low-cost range. The Poco X5 5G and the XiaomiRedmi Note 12 Pro share a very similar design. TheXiaomi 12 Lite is comparable to this item and has similar features. The Poco X5 5G boasts a slim (7.9mm), squared-off design with a matte plastic frame and a textured rear panel.
The weight of the item is 181g and it feels comfortable to handle. The new flat models do not provide the same level of comfort as their curved counterparts, but they have a more modern aesthetic. The model I purchased is a bright yellow color, though it can be purchased in black or blue. The power button, which also functions as a fingerprint sensor, has a yellow accent to match the body of the device, reminiscent of the Pixel 6. The Poco X5 is equipped with a Gorilla Glass 5 display and has IP53 certification, enabling it to withstand light showers or dust clouds.
I find the inclusion of stereo speakers to be a beneficial feature. It is often the case that this type of item at a more affordable end of the market includes this feature, but it cannot be assumed. The sound output is loud and clear, with limited bass frequencies. The Poco X5 has an IR blaster, which is a feature commonly seen on Xiaomi phones. The Mi Remote app allows you to manage your hi-fi and TV, while a 3.5 mm jack is available on the top edge for further convenience.
Display
The Poco X5 5G is equipped with an above-average display, a feature that Xiaomi is known to include in their devices that are more cost-effective. The 6.7in AMOLED panel offers a FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. The company has implemented a new flexible AMOLED panel this year, which results in a lighter, slimmer phone with a more slender bottom bezel.
The most notable feature of this screen is its colour accuracy. The Standard display profile produces 98.2% coverage of the sRGB gamut, with a total volume of 99.1%. The Poco X4 Pro 5G has a strong display, which is impressive considering its mid-range status; even more so as flagship levels of performance are achieved. The X5 Pro’s display reached a maximum brightness of 467cd/m² when auto brightness was disabled. Poco claims that it can attain a peak brightness level of 900cd/m² in its highest-brightness setting, which is less than the 1,200cd/m² achieved by the X4 Pro 5G.
Performance and Battery Life
The Poco X5 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 778G processor, a mid-range 6nm chip also used in the Xiaomi 12 Lite. The Geekbench 5 multi-core score of the device is an average of 2,935 and the single-core score is 777, making it similar to that of the Xiaomi 12 Lite but not as high as the Pixel 6a’s in terms of its single-core performance. The test model of the device has 8GB of RAM, whereas a more affordable version with 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage is available in select regions. This phone comes with plenty of features for its price.
The phone should be able to run Genshin Impact on Low settings without issue, and performance remains acceptable when the settings are increased to Medium. It is possible to set the settings at a high or 60 frames-per-second rate, although in practical application it may not result in a consistent level of smoothness. The Poco x5 5G has a larger battery capacity than the Xiaomi 12 Lite, with a 5,000mAh capacity similar to that offered by the Poco X4 Pro 5G. The brand’s products usually have a long battery life, lasting through one day of intensive use and part of a second day with less use.
The X5 Pro showed an improved performance in our looping video battery test when compared to the previous model. At 19 hours and 45 minutes, the battery life of this device is shorter than other alternatives such as the SamsungGalaxy A53 5G Ksh. 45,000, the Pixel 6a, and theNothing Phone (1). The Poco x5 5GL is equipped with a 67W charger which enables it to reach 85% battery life in half an hour. It will take less than 50 minutes for the battery to be fully charged.
Software
Xiaomi’s MIUI 14 is built on Android 12, providing users with a comprehensive experience. Google’s operating system is not the most recent version, while MIUI still has its user-friendly functionality. Xiaomi’s design borrows elements from Apple’s iOS, such as a Settings menu and a split status bar. The notifications are shown on the left side, with access to toggle controls for functions such as brightness and connectivity on the right. The MIUI system offers a wide range of customization options, and it is possible to disable this feature if desired. The smartphone user interface may not be aesthetically pleasing, but users have the option to adjust aspects of it and make it easier to use on a daily basis. You will need to invest effort in the beginning stages to get it looking and functioning as desired. The amount of bloatware present is an issue that should be taken into consideration.
Cameras
The Poco x5 5G was launched with a camera system that had been seen and acknowledged by the company. This device has a primary camera of 108 megapixels mounted on a 1/1.52 inch model, alongside an 8 megapixel ultra-wide lens and 2 megapixel macro lens. The rear system of the Poco X4 Pro 5G and Xiaomi 12 Lite are the same. The X5 Pro 5G and the other model contain the same Snapdragon 778G SoC, however the latter includes a distinct front-facing camera. The comments regarding the camera on the Xiaomi 12 Lite review can be applied to the Poco x5 5G. This mid-range camera has competent design and satisfactory performance, though it is not equipped with features such as the Pixel 6a’s computational wizardry, the OnePlus Nord 2T’s flagship imaging sensor and the Realme 9 Pro Plus.
You can get clear, correctly illuminated pictures in good lighting conditions. The differences from superior rivals become evident in low light situations, with the Poco x5 5G unable to produce the same level of image clarity. The 8MP ultrawide lens provides a decent option to capture wide, panoramic shots; however, they may appear unsharp, have limited dynamic range and color depth. Two-times zoomed shots are produced using cropping techniques and usually look satisfactory due to the high resolution of the image. Avoid zooming in too closely on the finished result.
There is an AI mode available, which can automatically curate scenes for you, though it is not activated by default. The use of the colour and contrast enhancing Intelligent Active Mode usually increases the vibrancy and luminance, but I usually deactivated it. The front-facing selfie camera has a 16MP resolution and produces satisfactory results, although the colors tend to be subdued compared to those from the main cameras. If you want to avoid the “plasticine face” look, reduce the Beautify slider from Smooth to Original.
Verdict
The Poco x5 5G from the Xiaomi sub-brand offers a good balance of features, including an AMOLED display, tidy design, and reliable performance. The value offered by thePoco X4 Pro is not replicated with this model. This upgrade carries a higher price tag, however the display and camera system is essentially unchanged. The performance improvement is satisfactory, although fails to stand out either among the other products within the same class or those of Xiaomi in general. The Poco x5 5P is a strong contender in the sub-Ksh. 40,000 category, which has become increasingly competitive in the past 12 months, though still not as successful as its predecessor was at the start of 2022.
