The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Hot 10 and Samsung Galaxy A12 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Hot 10 prioritizes gaming performance with its MediaTek Helio G70, while the Galaxy A12 leans towards a more balanced experience with Samsung’s Exynos 850 and brand recognition.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and raw processing power on a tight budget, the Infinix Hot 10 is the better choice. Its Helio G70 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance edge. However, the Samsung Galaxy A12 provides a more refined software experience and the benefit of Samsung’s established ecosystem, making it ideal for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 17. Released 2020, October 17 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.1 x 77.6 x 8.9 mm (6.74 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 16 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Amber Red, Moonlight Jade, Ocean Wave | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | X682B, X682C, MZ-Infinix X682B, MZ-Infinix X682C | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Infinix Hot 10
- Stronger CPU performance for gaming and multitasking
- More efficient for demanding tasks
- Potentially better value for performance-focused users
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More efficient chipset for everyday tasks
- Samsung’s established brand and software ecosystem
- 15W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Weaker CPU performance compared to the Helio G70
- Less suitable for demanding games and applications
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The difference in chipsets will likely have a greater impact on perceived smoothness than any minor display variations. Bezels are likely comparable given the price bracket, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, with both phones targeting the budget segment. While sensor details are missing, the focus should be on image processing. Samsung’s image processing is generally more saturated and vibrant, appealing to a wider audience. The Infinix Hot 10 may offer a more natural look. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A12 is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant improvements over the main sensor. The Exynos 850’s ISP may offer slightly better noise reduction in low-light conditions, but the difference will be marginal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 10’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) features a dual-cluster CPU design with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850 (8nm), which utilizes 8x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A75 cores in the Helio G70 are architecturally superior, resulting in faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Exynos 850, built on a smaller 8nm process, *should* offer better power efficiency. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM information suggests both devices likely use LPDDR4x, limiting memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While mAh capacity is not specified, the Exynos 850’s potentially better power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life during moderate use. However, the Infinix Hot 10’s more powerful processor will consume more power under heavy load. The Galaxy A12’s 15W wired charging is a clear advantage, offering faster top-ups compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Hot 10.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 10 if you need a phone primarily for mobile gaming, streaming videos, and multitasking, and are willing to compromise on software polish. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a more reliable software experience, a well-known brand, and a phone that handles everyday tasks smoothly without demanding performance needs. The A12’s 15W charging is also a plus for those who value convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is generally a thermally efficient chip, but it's not designed for sustained high performance. While it won't likely overheat to the point of shutting down, users may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to reduced frame rates. The Helio G70 in the Hot 10, while more powerful, may also exhibit throttling, but its higher peak performance will likely remain superior even with some throttling.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A12 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A12 is largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, noisy, and lack detail. It's unlikely to provide a significant improvement over using the main camera in close-up mode.
❓ Can the Infinix Hot 10 reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Infinix Hot 10 *can* run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics settings to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' is recommended for a more stable frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense firefights, but overall, the Helio G70 provides a playable experience.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and streaming content?
Both phones are adequate for video consumption. The Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 might offer slightly smoother playback of high-resolution videos due to its more efficient processing, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users. The choice comes down to personal preference regarding software and display characteristics.
