The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC and Tecno Spark 9 Pro are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to performance and charging. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 9 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s Unisoc T610, particularly in gaming. The 18W charging also significantly reduces downtime, making it a more practical daily driver.
| 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 | LTE |
| 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, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 30 | Available. Released 2022, July |
| 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) | 164.2 x 75.6 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) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| 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 MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, (wide) |
| 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 (KH7n 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 | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Quantum Black, Burano Blue, Glacier White, Hacker Storm, Sport Edition, Kyanite Blue |
| Models | X6816D | KH7, KH7n |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- Lower price point (likely)
- NFC support for contactless payments
- Simpler software experience (potentially)
- Slower processor (Unisoc T610)
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Less responsive user experience
Tecno Spark 9 Pro
- Faster processor (Helio G85)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Better gaming performance
- More fluid user experience
- Slightly higher price (likely)
- Software bloatware (common on Tecno devices)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, the focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. The absence of high refresh rates is also standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable, with both phones relying on software processing to enhance image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses (likely a depth or macro sensor). The image processing style will likely differ – Tecno often leans towards brighter, more saturated images, while Infinix may aim for a more natural look. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light photography will be challenging.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 9 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) has a slight clock speed advantage with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores compared to the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s Unisoc T610 (12nm) 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. While both use the same Cortex-A75 and A55 architecture, the higher clock speed and MediaTek’s optimizations generally translate to better sustained performance, especially in graphically demanding games. The Unisoc T610 is adequate for basic tasks, but the Helio G85 offers a more fluid experience with multitasking and gaming. RAM configurations are likely similar, but the chipset is the bottleneck.
Battery Life
Both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price point. However, the Tecno Spark 9 Pro’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s 10W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and making the Tecno Spark 9 Pro more convenient for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. While battery life will be similar under moderate use, the charging speed is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC if your primary need is NFC functionality on an extremely tight budget and you prioritize a slightly simpler software experience. You'll be making compromises on performance. Buy the Tecno Spark 9 Pro if you value a smoother user experience, better gaming capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more. It’s the better all-rounder for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Tecno Spark 9 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G85 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Unisoc T610 in the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC, especially during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 9 Pro with the 18W charger?
While a precise figure depends on usage during charging, the Tecno Spark 9 Pro’s 18W charging should take approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full 0-100% charge. This is considerably faster than the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC, which will likely take over 4 hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC support reverse charging?
Based on typical specifications for this price range and model, the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC does *not* support reverse charging. It's a feature rarely found in budget smartphones.
❓ Is the software on the Tecno Spark 9 Pro heavily customized with bloatware?
Tecno devices are known for including pre-installed apps and customizations. While the extent of bloatware varies, users should expect to find several third-party apps pre-loaded on the Spark 9 Pro. These can often be uninstalled, but it's a common complaint among Tecno users.
