The Honor Play 20 and Infinix Note 12 (2023) represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and smoother multitasking, the Infinix Note 12 (2023) is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, and 33W fast charging significantly outperform the Honor Play 20’s Unisoc T610 and 10W charging, despite the Play 20’s potentially lower initial cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 26 | 2022, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, October 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Silver/Pink | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White |
| Models | KOZ-AL00 | X676C |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Honor Play 20
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- May have slightly longer battery life *if* capacity is higher than Note 12.
- Significantly slower charging speed (10W).
- Less powerful chipset (Unisoc T610).
- Likely struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
Infinix Note 12 (2023)
- Faster and more efficient chipset (Helio G99).
- Significantly faster charging (33W).
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Potentially higher initial purchase price.
- May have slightly shorter battery life *if* capacity is lower than Play 20.
- Infinix’s UI can be somewhat bloated.
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of details like refresh rate or resolution suggests a focus on cost reduction. The Infinix Note 12 (2023) may benefit from Infinix’s typical display calibration, potentially offering slightly more accurate colors, but this is speculative without further data.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor details, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely more for marketing than practical use. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Infinix often prioritizing vibrant, social media-ready images. The Helio G99’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the Unisoc T610’s ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 12 (2023) boasts the Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process. This smaller node size translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the Honor Play 20’s Unisoc T610, which is built on a 12nm process. The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – also represents a performance uplift over the Play 20’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This means the Note 12 (2023) will handle multitasking and more demanding apps with greater fluidity. The G99’s integrated GPU will also provide a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the charging speed is a major differentiator. The Infinix Note 12 (2023)’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Honor Play 20’s sluggish 10W charging. This means the Note 12 (2023) can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. Even if the Play 20 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Note 12 (2023)’s faster charging will likely result in more usable battery life throughout the day for typical users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 20 if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Infinix Note 12 (2023) if you value faster performance for app switching, occasional gaming, and the convenience of significantly quicker charging times, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G99 in the Infinix Note 12 (2023) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G99’s 6nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the 12nm Unisoc T610. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the G99 is less prone to significant throttling, allowing for more sustained performance. However, extended gaming will still impact battery life.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor Play 20 realistically usable in 2024?
10W charging is exceptionally slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4-5 hours. This makes it inconvenient for users who need quick top-ups or frequently use their phone throughout the day. It's a significant drawback compared to the Infinix Note 12 (2023)'s 33W charging.
❓ How much of a performance difference can I expect between the Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A76 cores in these chipsets?
The Cortex-A76 in the Helio G99 represents a generational improvement over the Cortex-A75 in the Unisoc T610. The A76 offers higher single-core performance and improved efficiency, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are mid-range cores, the A76 provides a noticeable advantage in real-world usage.
