The Infinix Hot series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Hot 12 Play and the newer Hot 30i. Which one offers the best bang for your buck?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 30i edges out the Hot 12 Play thanks to its faster charging, slightly improved chipset, and generally more modern features. While the Hot 12 Play remains a solid budget option, the 30i provides a noticeable upgrade for a reasonable price increase.
| 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) | 164 x 75.8 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) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) - X6816Unisoc T610 (12 nm) - X6816C | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 - X6816Mali-G52 MP2 - X6816C | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 10 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| 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 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (Hot 30i NFC 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 | 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 | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | X6816C, X6816 | X669, X669D |
| Price | About 60 EUR | - |
Infinix Hot 12 Play
- Extremely affordable
- Large battery capacity
- Decent display for the price
- Slow charging
- Less powerful chipset
- Basic camera features
Infinix Hot 30i
- Faster charging (18W)
- Improved chipset performance
- Potentially better display refresh rate
- Modern design
- Slightly more expensive than the Hot 12 Play
- Camera still not flagship-level
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely an IPS LCD) with comparable resolutions (likely FHD+). The Hot 30i might have a slightly brighter display or a more modern refresh rate (potentially 90Hz or 120Hz) which would provide a smoother visual experience. We'll need to confirm the exact specs for a definitive answer.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both phones likely feature a primary 50MP camera. The Hot 30i might have slightly improved image processing algorithms or additional camera features, leading to marginally better photo quality, especially in low light. Video recording capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The Hot 30i's Unisoc T606 generally outperforms the Hot 12 Play's chipset options (Helio G37 or Unisoc T610). The T606's Cortex-A75 cores offer a performance boost over the G37's Cortex-A53 cores, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Gaming performance will also be better on the 30i.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a large battery capacity (around 6000mAh). However, the Hot 30i's 18W charging significantly outperforms the Hot 12 Play's 10W charging, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 12 Play is ideal for users prioritizing affordability above all else and who don't demand high performance. The Hot 30i is a better choice for those seeking a smoother experience, faster charging, and a more contemporary design, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 30i worth the extra money compared to the Hot 12 Play?
Yes, the Hot 30i's faster charging, improved performance, and potentially better display make it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Hot 30i is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
