The Infinix Hot series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Infinix Hot 12 Play and the newer Infinix Hot 30. Which one offers the best bang for your buck?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 30 is the clear winner, offering significantly faster charging, a more powerful chipset, and a generally improved experience. While the Hot 12 Play remains a decent budget option, the Hot 30's upgrades make it a worthwhile investment for most users.
| 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) | 168.7 x 76.6 x 8.4 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - X6816Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - X6816C | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) - X6816Unisoc T610 (12 nm) - X6816C | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 - X6816Mali-G52 MP2 - X6816C | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 13, XOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.55", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| 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 | 33W wired, 55% in 30 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Racing Black, Surfing Green, Sonic White, Free Fire |
| Models | X6816C, X6816 | X6831 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | - |
Infinix Hot 12 Play
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Large display
- Slow performance
- Slow charging
- Lower quality display
Infinix Hot 30
- Faster performance
- Fast charging (33W)
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Improved camera
- Slightly higher price
- Battery life slightly less than Hot 12 Play
Display Comparison
The Infinix Hot 30 typically features a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Hot 12 Play usually has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a standard refresh rate. The Hot 30's display is noticeably superior in terms of visual quality and responsiveness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera setups for their price range. The Hot 30 generally has a slightly improved main camera sensor and image processing, resulting in better photos in various lighting conditions. Both typically feature a main lens, depth sensor, and front-facing camera.
Performance
The Hot 30's Mediatek Helio G88 chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Hot 12 Play's various chipsets (Helio G37 or Unisoc T610). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Hot 30. The Hot 12 Play can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Hot 12 Play is known for its exceptional battery life, often lasting well over a day on a single charge. However, the Hot 30, while having a slightly smaller battery, compensates with its 33W fast charging, allowing it to charge much faster than the Hot 12 Play's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Infinix Hot 12 Play? It's ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize long battery life and basic functionality. Who should buy the Infinix Hot 30? It's perfect for those seeking a smoother performance, faster charging, and a more modern feature set without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 30 worth the extra money compared to the Hot 12 Play?
Yes, the Hot 30's improved performance, faster charging, and better display make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value a smoother user experience.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Infinix Hot 30, with its Helio G88 chipset, offers significantly better gaming performance than the Hot 12 Play.
