The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 12 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C edges out the Infinix Hot 12 thanks to its more efficient 6nm Snapdragon 680 chipset, resulting in better performance and battery life. While both offer decent features, the Redmi 10C provides a slightly more polished and future-proof experience.
| 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, 3, 7, 8, 20 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 26 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 26 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 170.5 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.71 x 3.06 x 0.33 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Legend White, Origin Blue, Lucky Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | X6817, X6817B | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 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
- Potentially more vibrant display
- Competitive price
- Decent gaming performance for the price
- Less efficient chipset
- Slightly lower battery life
- Image processing could be improved
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Better battery life
- Smoother performance
- Generally better image processing
- May lack some of the flashy features of the Hot 12
- Display might not be as vibrant as the Hot 12
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.6-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. The Infinix Hot 12 might offer slightly more vibrant colors, but the Redmi 10C's display is generally well-regarded for its clarity and viewing angles. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
The Infinix Hot 12 typically features a higher megapixel count on its main camera (often 50MP), while the Redmi 10C usually has a 50MP main camera as well. Image quality is often more than just megapixels; the Redmi 10C's image processing tends to be slightly better, producing more natural-looking photos. Both offer decent selfie cameras.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680's 6nm process is significantly more efficient than the Hot 12's Helio G85 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and less heat generation. While the Helio G85 is decent for casual gaming, the Snapdragon 680 handles more demanding titles better.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, but the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset gives it a noticeable advantage in battery life. Expect the Redmi 10C to easily last a full day of moderate use, while the Hot 12 might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 12 is a good choice for users prioritizing a vibrant display and potentially slightly better gaming performance (depending on the game) within a very tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more efficient daily driver with a longer battery life and a more modern chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
While both can handle casual games, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680 generally provides a smoother and more consistent gaming experience, especially for more demanding titles.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C wins in this category due to its more efficient 6nm chipset. You can expect longer usage times on a single charge.
