Xiaomi has introduced the POCO X5 Pro 5G smartphone in the UK, offering both the standard X5 and Pro models to consumers. The POCO X5 debuted with a price range of £279 to £319 based on storage options, while the Pro model launched at £369 for its only configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, making a clear distinction between the two variants.
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The POCO X5 Pro features a 6.67-inch Flow AMOLED DotDisplay that outshines its cheaper sibling. It boasts a peak brightness of 900 nits, supports a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and offers over 1.07 billion colors with 10-bit depth. The display includes HDR10+ certification and Dolby Vision support, making it comparable to flagship standards. Additionally, it incorporates 1920Hz PWM dimming to enhance low-light reading comfort. The dual speakers, tuned with Dolby Atmos, improve audio quality significantly compared to the standard X5's mono speaker.
Performance-wise, the X5 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 778G chipset built on a 6nm process, achieving over 545,000 on AnTuTu. This offers a smoother experience than the 695 processor found in the standard version, which can struggle under heavy use. The device also features RAM expansion, allowing the usage of storage as additional RAM, thereby enhancing multitasking capabilities.
The camera system includes a 108MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 2MP macro lens. Despite appearing to be a significant upgrade from the standard X5’s 48MP setup, the camera hardware is mostly inherited from the previous X4 Pro generation. The inclusion of 4K video recording adds value for content creators.
Both models house a 5,000mAh battery, but the X5 Pro supports 67W turbo charging, significantly faster than the standard X5’s 33W. Xiaomi claims it can deliver up to 28 hours of call time and 20 hours of video playback on a single charge.
With a weight of 181g and thickness of just 7.9mm, the Pro model is marketed as the thinnest and lightest in the X series. It features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, NFC, an IR blaster, and an X-axis linear motor for enhanced haptic feedback. The device runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 12, though it shares similar bloatware concerns with the standard model.
Overall, while the POCO X5 Pro’s price reflects its enhancements over the standard X5, its camera presents limitations due to its reliance on older hardware. However, it offers improvements in display quality, processing power, audio, and charging speeds, giving users a comprehensive smartphone experience.