While it has risen in price, the new Poco M4 Pro 5G has also increased its capabilities. Is it worth it? We are working on a review as soon as we want a detailed answer, but let’s take a preliminary look at whether the new M phone is the right one for you.
The M3 Pro 5G started at € 180 for the 4/64 GB model and went up to € 200 if you wanted 6/128 GB of memory. The M4 Pro 5G starts at € 230 and has a € 250 option for the same memory capacity. That is a price increase of € 30 in 6 months.
The new model entails some upgrades. The screen is larger (6.6 “vs. 6.5”), brighter (450 nits vs. 400 nits), and has a higher touch sampling rate (240Hz vs. 180Hz), although it is still updated at 90Hz.
The camera setup was improved with the addition of an 8 MP ultra-wide camera on the back. Whether the new 50MP sensor is a real improvement over the 48MP sensor in the older phone should show. The selfie camera resolution was doubled to 16MP, but it should be a straight upgrade.
Then there is the chipset – it is basically the same hardware (2x A76, Mali-G57 MC2), but with a 6nm process instead of 7nm. It should increase power efficiency, which in turn should help beat the 121-hour Endurance rating that the older phone shows. The new model has the same 5,000 mAh battery as before, but it now charges faster at 33W (up from 18W).
There are some other improvements like stereo speakers, plus some splash resistance. But it’s more or less that for the upgrades on the Poco M4 Pro 5G (which, if you did not hear it, is a rebranded Redmi Note 11).
Poco M4 Pro 5G with an overview
Considering you can get a Poco X3 Pro for € 200 or so, does the M4 Pro 5G make any sense at all? Of course, it has 5G, which the Snapdragon 860 on the X3 Pro does not support. But the X3 Pro counts with a 6.67 “IPS LCD with 120Hz refresh rate, supported by a still powerful Adreno GPU. Plus, you get to keep the stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack and 33W fast charging.
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
In India, the Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G with a 120Hz 6.5 “IPS LCD and a Dimensity 800U may be an option. It has a similar camera (48 + 8 + 2MP) and a similar battery (5,000 mAh, 30W). An iQOO The Z3 offers a faster 120Hz 6.58 “IPS LCD, faster 55W charging for its 4,400mAh battery and a similar camera setup (64 + 8 + 2MP) along with a Snapdragon 768G chipset (7 nm).
Realme Narzo 30 Pro 5G • vivo iQOO Z3
Elsewhere, you might find Oppo A74 5G instead with a Snapdragon 480 (8nm), similar screen (90Hz 6.5 “IPS LCD), similar camera (48 + 8 + 2 + 2MP) and slower charging (5,000mAh, 18W) .
Oppo A74 5G
A Samsung Galaxy A32 is a bit more compact with a 6.4 “screen, a 90Hz Super AMOLED panel. No 5G on this one though, and the Helio G80 chipset is not exactly impressive. On the camera front you get 64 + 8 + 5 +5 MP on the back and 20 MP on the front.The 5,000 mAh battery is relatively slow to charge at 15 W.
Samsung Galaxy A32
Depending on how much you value 5G, the Poco M4 Pro 5G is either a great phone for the price, or it leaves something to be desired. But even with the price increase, the screen, camera and battery combination is hard to match in its segment. Note that the first buyers got early bird prices – € 200 (4/64 GB) and € 220 (6/128 GB). Global sales started on Thursday (11.11, single day).
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