The Infinix Hot series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Hot 12 Play NFC and the newer Hot 30. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 30 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster charging, improved chipset, and likely better camera performance. While the Hot 12 Play NFC remains a solid budget option, the Hot 30's upgrades make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 23 | 2023, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 30 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 168.7 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 13, XOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 55% in 30 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Racing Black, Surfing Green, Sonic White, Free Fire |
| Models | X6816D | X6831 |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- Lower Price
- NFC Connectivity
- Decent Battery Life
- Large Display
- Slow Charging
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Potentially Inferior Camera
- Older Software
Infinix Hot 30
- Faster Charging (33W)
- More Powerful Chipset (Helio G88)
- Likely Better Camera
- Potentially Higher Refresh Rate Display
- Modern Design
- Slightly Higher Price
- May lack some niche features of the Hot 12 Play NFC
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely an IPS LCD) and resolution (likely FHD+). However, the Hot 30 might have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 90Hz or 120Hz) offering a smoother visual experience. Screen size is likely around 6.6 inches for both.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup (likely a 50MP main sensor), the Hot 30's image processing capabilities are expected to be superior due to the more powerful chipset. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos on the Hot 30. The Hot 30 may also have additional camera features.
Performance
The Hot 30's MediaTek Helio G88 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the Hot 12 Play NFC's Unisoc T610. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Hot 30. The G88's GPU is also likely more powerful.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery. However, the Hot 30's 33W fast charging is a game-changer compared to the Hot 12 Play NFC's 10W charging. This means significantly faster charging times and less time tethered to a wall outlet.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC is ideal for users prioritizing NFC connectivity and a slightly lower price point, who aren't overly concerned with performance or fast charging. The Infinix Hot 30 is perfect for those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and a more modern feature set, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 30 worth the extra money compared to the Hot 12 Play NFC?
Yes, the Hot 30's faster charging, improved performance, and likely better camera make it a worthwhile upgrade for most users. The price difference is justified by the significant improvements.
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC have 5G?
No, neither the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC nor the Hot 30 support 5G connectivity. They both rely on 4G LTE.