The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 12i and Tecno Spark 10 Pro are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster chipset, brighter display, and faster charging. While the Infinix Hot 12i is a decent budget option, the Spark 10 Pro's upgrades make it the more compelling choice 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 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, April 12 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 12 | Available. Released 2023, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 168.4 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Haze Green, Champagne Gold | Starry Black, Pearl White |
| Models | X665B, X665 | KI7 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | £ 245.74 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1991:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 249938 (v9)
GeekBench: 1358 (v5.1), 1376 (v6)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Hot 12i
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life (claimed)
- Lightweight design
- Slow performance
- Dim display
- Slow charging
- Outdated chipset
Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- Faster performance
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (18W)
- More modern chipset
- Potentially slightly more expensive than Hot 12i
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro takes the display crown with a measured 521 nits of brightness, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible screen, especially outdoors. Both devices boast a high contrast ratio (1991:1), but the Spark 10 Pro's brightness advantage is key. The Hot 12i's display is adequate but lacks the punch of its competitor.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities (specific details are limited), the Tecno Spark 10 Pro's more powerful chipset likely translates to better image processing and overall camera performance. Expect improved low-light performance and potentially better video recording quality on the Spark 10 Pro. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
Performance is where the Tecno Spark 10 Pro truly shines. Its Mediatek Helio G88 chipset and octa-core CPU significantly outperform the Infinix Hot 12i's Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Spark 10 Pro. The Hot 12i can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both devices claim an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro's 18W charging offers a significant advantage over the Hot 12i's 10W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 12i is a good choice for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budgets. The Tecno Spark 10 Pro is ideal for those seeking better performance, a more vibrant display, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and faster processor.
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 12i worth buying if I'm on a very tight budget?
If your budget is extremely limited, the Infinix Hot 12i can be a basic option. However, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro offers much better value for money overall.