The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Coolpad Cool 12A and the Infinix Smart HD 2021 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and occasional multitasking, the Coolpad Cool 12A emerges as the better choice. Its Spreadtrum chipset, featuring a Cortex-A75 core, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Smart HD 2021’s Helio A20, despite the latter’s slightly more efficient 12nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 05. Released 2020, October 05 | 2020, December 16. Released 2020, December 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 75.2 x 8.9 mm (6.15 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 158.3 x 75.2 x 9.8 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202.5 g (7.16 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 418 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android | Android 10 (Go edition), XOS 6.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, PDAF
2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 21 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 (market dependent) | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 618 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 31 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dream Black, Dream Blue, Fantasy Silver | Topaz Blue, Obsidian Black, Quartz Green |
| Models | X3a40, X3c50 | X612B, X612 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
Coolpad Cool 12A
- More powerful processor for smoother performance
- Faster 18W charging with QC2 support
- Potentially better app responsiveness
- Potentially slightly lower battery life under heavy use
- Spreadtrum chipsets generally have less software support
Infinix Smart HD 2021
- More power-efficient chipset (12nm)
- Potentially longer battery life under light usage
- Lower price point (likely)
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither Coolpad nor Infinix provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Cool 12A’s more powerful chipset can handle smoother animations and faster app loading, indirectly improving the perceived display experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature basic camera setups. Detailed sensor information is lacking, but it’s safe to assume both will include a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Given the price bracket, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The Cool 12A’s more powerful chipset *could* allow for slightly more sophisticated image processing, but the difference is unlikely to be dramatic. Focusing on megapixel counts alone would be misleading; sensor size and lens quality are far more critical, and data on these is unavailable.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The Coolpad Cool 12A utilizes a Spreadtrum chipset with a quad-core configuration featuring one 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 core and three 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the Infinix Smart HD 2021’s MediaTek Helio A20, which employs four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 is a higher-performance core, designed for more demanding tasks. While the Helio A20 benefits from a more efficient 12nm manufacturing process, the architectural advantage of the A75 in the Cool 12A outweighs this efficiency gain in most real-world scenarios. The Cool 12A will exhibit less lag when switching between apps and handling moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Infinix Smart HD 2021’s more efficient Helio A20 chipset, built on a 12nm process, *may* translate to slightly longer battery life under light usage. The Coolpad Cool 12A compensates with 18W wired charging with QC2 support (market dependent), offering faster recharge times compared to the likely 10W or slower charging on the Infinix. This faster charging is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Cool 12A if you need a phone that feels snappier for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. The Cortex-A75 core offers a tangible boost in responsiveness. Buy the Infinix Smart HD 2021 if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for very basic communication – calls, texts, and minimal app usage – and are willing to trade performance for potentially longer runtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Coolpad Cool 12A handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Coolpad Cool 12A’s Spreadtrum chipset with the Cortex-A75 core is sufficiently powerful to run Facebook, Instagram, and similar social media apps without significant lag. While it won’t offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and reasonably responsive experience.
❓ Is the Helio A20 in the Infinix Smart HD 2021 capable of playing basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Yes, the Helio A20 can handle simple, less demanding games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers. However, expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering, especially during more visually intense moments. It’s not suitable for graphically demanding games.
❓ Does the Coolpad Cool 12A support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Coolpad Cool 12A supports 18W wired charging with QC2 (Quick Charge 2.0) compatibility, *depending on the market*. With a compatible charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% is estimated to take around 2-3 hours. The Infinix Smart HD 2021 likely supports slower charging speeds.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
For basic communication, the Infinix Smart HD 2021 is a viable option. Its power-efficient Helio A20 chipset may offer slightly longer battery life for calls and texts, and it’s likely to be the more affordable option. However, the Coolpad Cool 12A won't be significantly worse in this scenario.
