The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Hot 12 and Samsung Galaxy A23 5G both aim to deliver essential features, but they take different approaches. The Hot 12 prioritizes raw processing power with its Helio G85, while the A23 5G focuses on 5G connectivity and a more refined user experience powered by the Snapdragon 695. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a more polished software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 offers a more efficient architecture and faster charging, offsetting the Hot 12’s slightly more powerful CPU cores.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 2, 5, 30, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 26 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 26 | Available. Released 2022, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.71 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - USA
8 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm - International |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Legend White, Origin Blue, Lucky Green | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | X6817, X6817B | SM-A236U, SM-A236U1, SM-A236B, SM-A236B/DS, SM-A236B/DSN, SM-A236E, SM-S236DL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | $ 84.44 / £ 129.00 / € 125.28 / ₹ 21,000 |
| SAR | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 138h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1328:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318821 (v9)
GeekBench: 1940 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Hot 12
- Potentially higher CPU performance in short bursts.
- More affordable price point (likely).
- May offer larger storage options for the price.
- Less efficient chipset (12nm vs 6nm).
- Slower charging speed (18W vs 25W).
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset.
- Faster 25W wired charging.
- Likely better software support and updates.
- Slightly lower CPU clock speeds.
- Potentially higher price.
- May have less base storage.
Display Comparison
Both phones offer a similar display experience, with the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G achieving a measured peak brightness of 508 nits and a 1328:1 contrast ratio. While the Infinix Hot 12’s display specifications aren’t provided, the A23 5G’s higher brightness will translate to better visibility outdoors. The identical contrast ratios suggest similar panel technology, likely IPS LCDs, meaning viewing angles and color reproduction will be comparable. Neither phone is expected to offer high refresh rates, focusing instead on power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, expect both to feature a primary camera and potentially multiple secondary sensors. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The A23 5G’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 695 likely offers more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A23 5G, a common feature in Samsung’s A-series, would further enhance image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) utilizes a more modern and efficient manufacturing process compared to the Infinix Hot 12’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). While the Hot 12 boasts slightly higher clock speeds on its Cortex-A75 cores (2.0 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the A23), the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6nm process provide superior sustained performance and thermal management. This means the A23 5G is less likely to throttle under prolonged load, making it better suited for extended gaming sessions. The 5G modem in the Snapdragon 695 is a significant advantage for future-proofing.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 138 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the Infinix Hot 12’s 18W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While the Hot 12 might offer comparable battery capacity, the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency in the A23 5G means it will likely consume less power during typical usage, potentially extending real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 12 if you need maximum CPU performance for demanding apps and light gaming on a tight budget, and are willing to compromise on 5G and charging speed. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity, longer battery life due to a more efficient chipset, and a more refined software experience, even if it means slightly less raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Galaxy A23 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 695 is built on a 6nm process, making it significantly more thermally efficient than the Helio G85. While it will get warm during prolonged gaming, it's less prone to significant throttling, maintaining more consistent performance over time compared to the Hot 12.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Galaxy A23 5G worth the extra cost if 5G isn't widely available in my area?
Even if 5G coverage is limited now, the Galaxy A23 5G’s 5G modem future-proofs the device. It also supports 4G LTE, and the more efficient chipset will provide better 4G performance and battery life compared to the Hot 12, making it a worthwhile investment even without immediate 5G access.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the A23 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Hot 12?
The 25W charging on the A23 5G will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery level and usage, expect a 0-100% charge to be approximately 30-60 minutes faster on the A23 5G compared to the Hot 12.
