The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Blackview Oscal S80 and the Infinix Note 12 G96. Both promise impressive features at an affordable price, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Note 12 G96 edges out the Oscal S80 thanks to its slightly more powerful CPU and generally better software optimization. While the Oscal S80 boasts reverse charging, the Note 12 G96 provides a more polished overall experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 03 | 2022, May 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 13 | Available. Released 2022, May 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 174 x 81.4 x 18.9 mm (6.85 x 3.20 x 0.74 in) | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 460 g (1.01 lb) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| | IP68/IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Drop-to-concrete resistance from up to 1.5m
MIL-STD-810H compliant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~73.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G85 (12nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke-OS 3.0 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.55", PDAF
8 MP, 117˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, (depth) | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 51% in 66 min (advertised)
Reverse charging | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 13000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Green, Mecha Orange, Conquest Black | Force Black, Snowfall, Sapphire Blue (Jewel Blue) |
| Models | - | X670 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 210 EUR |
Blackview Oscal S80
- Reverse Charging
- Potentially Rugged Design (typical of Blackview)
- Competitive Price
- Potentially Less Optimized Software
- Slightly Weaker Processor
- Brand Recognition (less established)
Infinix Note 12 G96
- Slightly More Powerful Processor
- Generally Better Software Optimization
- Stronger Brand Recognition
- Potentially Better Display
- No Reverse Charging
- 33W Charging (not the fastest)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.6-6.7 inches with FHD+ resolution. The Infinix Note 12 G96 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Infinix's generally stronger display panel sourcing. Expect similar viewing angles and responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones featuring a multi-lens setup including a primary sensor (likely 50MP), ultrawide, and macro lens. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Infinix often has a slight edge in image processing, producing more vibrant and shareable photos. Expect similar video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Infinix Note 12 G96 holds a slight advantage here. Its Helio G96 features Cortex-A76 cores, which are more powerful than the Cortex-A75 cores in the Oscal S80's Helio G85. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. However, real-world performance will also depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 33W fast charging, promising a decent charging speed. The Oscal S80 advertises 51% charge in 66 minutes, which is a good indicator. Battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh for both, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
The Blackview Oscal S80 is ideal for users prioritizing reverse charging and a rugged design (assuming it has one, typical of Blackview). The Infinix Note 12 G96 is a better choice for those seeking smoother performance, a more refined user interface, and a generally more mainstream smartphone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Note 12 G96 is likely the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Cortex-A76 cores in the Helio G96 chipset.
❓ Does the Oscal S80 have a rugged design?
Blackview often incorporates rugged features into their phones, but this needs to be confirmed for the Oscal S80 specifically. Check product listings for details.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
Both phones support 33W charging, so a full charge should take around 75-90 minutes, though this can vary based on usage and conditions.