The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC and Xiaomi Poco M5 are two strong contenders. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco M5 leverages MediaTek’s Helio G99 for performance, while the Infinix opts for Unisoc’s T610. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s Unisoc T610, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Poco M5’s faster 18W charging is a significant convenience.
| 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 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 30 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| 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 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | X6816D | 22071219CG |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- NFC support for contactless payments
- Competitive price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful Unisoc T610 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Xiaomi Poco M5
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G99 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- May lack NFC functionality (check regional variants)
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Similar battery endurance to the Infinix
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits and a 1363:1 contrast ratio. While the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in both metrics given the price difference. The higher brightness of the Poco M5 will result in better visibility outdoors, and the contrast ratio contributes to a more vibrant image. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, but the Poco M5’s superior specifications suggest a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo/video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price point, expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions. However, the Poco M5 likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G99, potentially offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The presence of a dedicated ISP in the G99 is a key advantage. It's unlikely either phone will excel in low-light photography, and the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both is largely a marketing tactic with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M5’s MediaTek Helio G99, built on a 6nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – outperforms the T610’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more capable gaming experience on the Poco M5. The 6nm node also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC and the Xiaomi Poco M5 achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Poco M5’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Infinix’s slower 10W charging. This means the Poco M5 can be topped up significantly faster, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio G99 chipset in the Poco M5 likely contributes to its comparable endurance despite potentially having a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC if your priority is NFC functionality for mobile payments and you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5 if you prioritize performance for gaming, streaming, or running demanding apps, and value faster charging speeds for minimizing downtime. The Poco M5 is the better all-rounder for users who want a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco M5’s Helio G99 chipset get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G99 is designed for efficiency, and its 6nm process helps mitigate heat generation. While it will warm up during intensive gaming, it’s less prone to significant throttling compared to older, less efficient chipsets. The Poco M5’s thermal design should be adequate for sustained gaming, but performance may slightly decrease after extended periods.
❓ Is the NFC functionality on the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC compatible with all mobile payment systems?
The Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC supports NFC for contactless payments, but compatibility can vary depending on your region and payment provider. It generally works with popular services like Google Pay and regional mobile wallets, but it’s best to check with your specific bank or payment provider to confirm compatibility.
❓ How does the Unisoc T610 in the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC handle multitasking compared to the Poco M5?
The Unisoc T610 is a capable processor for basic tasks, but it struggles with heavy multitasking. The Poco M5’s Helio G99, with its more powerful CPU and GPU, handles multiple apps and background processes significantly more smoothly. Expect noticeable lag and slowdowns on the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC when running several apps simultaneously.
