The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC and Realme C35 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both leverage Unisoc chipsets to deliver affordable performance, but key differences in charging speed and CPU clock speeds create distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and slightly smoother multitasking, the Realme C35 is the better choice. Its 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s 10W charging. While performance is similar, the C35’s marginal CPU boost offers a subtle advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 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 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 30 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| 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) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| 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) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | X6816D | RMX3511 |
| Price | - | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- NFC support for contactless payments.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Unisoc T610 is a capable chipset for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower 10W charging.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed compared to the C35.
- Limited information on display quality.
Realme C35
- Faster 18W wired charging.
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed for improved performance.
- Unisoc Tiger T616 offers a marginal performance boost.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Hot 12 Play NFC.
- NFC availability may vary by region.
- Limited information on display quality.
Display Comparison
Neither Infinix nor Realme provide display specs beyond resolution in their marketing materials. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, color accuracy and viewing angles will likely be similar. The absence of high refresh rates is standard. The focus here is on the core processing power, not visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable. Given the market segment, expect similar image quality from both devices, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of OIS is a given. The real-world performance will depend more on the image processing algorithms than the sensor itself, and both brands tend to prioritize computational photography over raw sensor quality in this price range.
Performance
Both phones utilize 12nm Unisoc chipsets, but the Realme C35’s Tiger T616 boasts a slightly higher CPU clock speed – 2.0 GHz versus the Hot 12 Play NFC’s 1.8 GHz on its Cortex-A75 cores. While both feature the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, this 200 MHz difference translates to marginally faster app loading and smoother multitasking on the C35. The GPU performance will be comparable, suitable for light gaming. Thermal management is likely similar, given the identical process node and comparable CPU power.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, the key differentiator is charging speed. The Realme C35’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s 10W charging. This means the C35 will reach a full charge considerably faster, reducing downtime and improving usability for power users. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging makes the C35 more convenient.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC if you absolutely need NFC functionality on a very tight budget and are willing to accept slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C35 if you value faster charging, even if it means a slightly higher price. This phone is better suited for users who consume more media, play casual games, and appreciate the convenience of quicker power refills.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the performance difference between the Unisoc T610 and T616 noticeable in everyday use?
The difference is subtle. The Realme C35’s T616 with its 2.0 GHz cores will feel slightly snappier when launching apps or switching between them, but for basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference will be minimal. Gamers might notice a slight edge on the C35 in less demanding titles.
❓ How long does it realistically take to charge the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC from 0% to 100%?
With only 10W charging, expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4 hours depending on usage during charging. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme C35.
❓ Does the Realme C35 support reverse charging?
Based on typical Realme C-series features, reverse charging is unlikely to be supported on the C35. It's a feature generally reserved for higher-end models.
❓ Which phone is better for playing PUBG Mobile?
Neither phone is ideal for PUBG Mobile at high settings. Both will likely require low or medium graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates. The Realme C35’s slightly more powerful chipset might offer a marginally smoother experience, but don’t expect flagship-level performance.
