Looking for a reliable and affordable smartphone? Infinix is a popular choice, and the Hot 12 Play NFC and Hot 30i are two compelling options. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 30i edges out the Hot 12 Play NFC thanks to its faster charging, slightly improved chipset, and potentially better camera capabilities. While both are budget-friendly, the Hot 30i offers a more modern experience and future-proofed features.
| 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) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) |
| 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 | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | X6816D | X669, X669D |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- NFC Connectivity
- Large Battery (6000mAh)
- Compact Design (relatively)
- Affordable Price
- Slow 10W Charging
- Older Chipset
- Potentially Inferior Camera
- Lower Performance
Infinix Hot 30i
- Faster 18W Charging
- Slightly Better Chipset
- Potentially Improved Camera
- Modern Design
- Slightly Larger Size
- Price is slightly higher
- Still a budget chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar large, HD+ displays (around 6.6 inches). Expect vibrant colors and decent viewing angles, though don't anticipate flagship-level brightness or color accuracy. The Hot 30i might have a slightly newer display technology, potentially offering better power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a triple-camera setup with a primary sensor around 50MP, the Hot 30i's image processing algorithms are likely to be more refined, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect decent photos for social media sharing.
Performance
The Hot 30i's Unisoc T606 chipset, while similar to the T610, generally offers a small performance boost. This translates to slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. Both chips are adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely pack a large 6000mAh battery, offering excellent battery life. However, the Hot 30i's 18W charging support is a significant advantage over the Hot 12 Play NFC's 10W charging, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC is ideal for users prioritizing NFC connectivity and a slightly more compact design on a very tight budget. The Infinix Hot 30i is a better choice for those who value faster charging, a potentially better camera, and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 30i worth the extra money compared to the Hot 12 Play NFC?
Yes, the faster charging and potentially better camera make the Hot 30i a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value those features.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Hot 30i has a slight edge due to its slightly more powerful chipset, but neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Do both phones have NFC?
The Hot 12 Play NFC explicitly includes NFC. The Hot 30i may or may not have NFC, so check the specific model's specifications before purchasing.