The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Infinix Hot 11 Play and Motorola Moto E40 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and determines which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and smoother multitasking, the Infinix Hot 11 Play emerges as the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio G35, while not a powerhouse, offers a more refined CPU architecture and generally better performance than the Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40, despite the clock speed difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 15 | 2021, October 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2021, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171.8 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.76 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 440 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T700 |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali G52 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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 |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Gold, Blue, Black | Carbon Gray, Pink Clay |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Infinix Hot 11 Play
- More responsive CPU performance due to Helio G35 architecture.
- Potentially better image processing.
- Slightly better power efficiency.
- Older CPU core design (Cortex-A53).
- 10W charging is slow.
Motorola Moto E40
- Clean Android experience (typically Motorola's strength).
- Potentially longer software support from Motorola.
- Competitive price point.
- Less powerful CPU compared to the Infinix.
- Unisoc chipset may have limited software optimization.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, contributing to a larger overall footprint.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, with both likely featuring a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the image processing capabilities of MediaTek chipsets are generally more mature than those of Unisoc, potentially giving the Infinix Hot 11 Play a slight edge in image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 11 Play’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with a split configuration: four cores clocked at 2.3 GHz (Cortex-A53) and four at 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A53). This architecture, while utilizing older Cortex-A53 cores, benefits from the higher clock speeds on the performance cores. The Motorola Moto E40, powered by the Unisoc T700, has an octa-core CPU clocked uniformly at 1.8 GHz. While the Unisoc T700 is a newer design, the Cortex-A55 cores it likely employs offer only a marginal IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the A53, and the lack of a speed binning strategy hurts its performance. This translates to a snappier experience on the Infinix for tasks requiring bursts of processing power.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn't specified, but given the target price point, both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The more efficient MediaTek Helio G35 in the Infinix Hot 11 Play *could* translate to slightly better battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal in real-world usage. The focus here is on all-day usability with moderate use, not rapid charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 11 Play if you need a phone that feels more responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Its CPU architecture provides a noticeable advantage in these scenarios. Buy the Motorola Moto E40 if you prioritize a clean Android experience and potentially longer software support from Motorola, accepting a slight performance trade-off. The Moto E40 is a solid option for basic communication and minimal app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 11 Play handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G35 isn't a gaming powerhouse, the Infinix Hot 11 Play can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings (balanced graphics, medium frame rate). Expect occasional frame drops during intense action. The Unisoc T700 in the Moto E40 will likely struggle more with consistent performance in demanding games.
❓ How does Motorola's software support compare to Infinix?
Motorola generally provides more consistent software updates and a cleaner Android experience than Infinix. While Infinix has improved, Motorola typically offers at least one major Android version update and several security patches. However, both brands are known for limited long-term support in this price segment.
❓ Is the Unisoc T700 a reliable chipset?
The Unisoc T700 is a relatively new chipset, and its long-term reliability is still being assessed. While it offers decent performance for basic tasks, it generally lags behind MediaTek's Helio series in terms of optimization and overall smoothness. Early reports suggest it can be prone to occasional hiccups.
