The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC and Xiaomi Redmi 10C aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take fundamentally different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their choice of chipset. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on real-world performance implications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and sustained performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, offers superior power efficiency and a more capable CPU, despite the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC having NFC functionality. The Redmi 10C’s faster charging also provides a practical advantage.
| 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, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@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, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | X6816D | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC
- Includes NFC for contactless payments.
- Potentially lower price point (depending on region).
- Unisoc chipsets are becoming increasingly competitive.
- Less efficient Unisoc T610 chipset.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Likely lower sustained performance.
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset.
- Faster 18W charging.
- Better CPU performance for smoother multitasking.
- Lacks NFC functionality.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Qualcomm chipsets can sometimes have more bloatware.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the Redmi 10C’s more efficient chipset allows for potentially better power management of the display, contributing to overall battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The Redmi 10C likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally provides better image processing capabilities than those found in Unisoc chipsets. The presence of a larger main sensor (if present, which is typical) on the Redmi 10C would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect both to include a 2MP macro camera, which offers limited practical value.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant advantage over the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC’s Unisoc T610 (12nm). The 6nm process node inherently provides better power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and sustained performance. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – also offers a performance edge over the Unisoc T610’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 10C. While both are octa-core, the architectural differences and process node give the Snapdragon a clear lead.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Hot 12 Play NFC’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 680’s superior efficiency means the Redmi 10C will likely deliver longer battery life even with a similar capacity battery. The faster charging is a tangible benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC if you absolutely require NFC for mobile payments or contactless tasks and are willing to accept slightly lower performance and slower charging. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better battery life, and faster charging speeds, even if it means sacrificing NFC. The Redmi 10C is ideal for users who frequently use apps or play light games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T610 in the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC struggle with demanding apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While the Unisoc T610 can handle basic social media apps, it may exhibit noticeable lag or slowdowns when multitasking or using more resource-intensive features within those apps. The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C offers a smoother experience for these types of workloads.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Redmi 10C compared to the 10W charging on the Hot 12 Play NFC?
The 18W charging on the Redmi 10C will significantly reduce charging times. Expect a 0-100% charge to take approximately 2-3 hours on the Redmi 10C, compared to 3.5-4.5 hours on the Infinix Hot 12 Play NFC. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the lack of NFC on the Redmi 10C a dealbreaker for most users?
For users who frequently use mobile payment systems like Google Pay or rely on contactless features, the lack of NFC on the Redmi 10C is a significant drawback. However, for users who rarely utilize these features, it’s unlikely to be a major concern.
