The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Infinix Hot 20 5G and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 20 5G takes the crown thanks to its 5G connectivity, significantly more powerful Dimensity 810 chipset, and faster charging. While the Redmi 12C offers a slightly better display, the Hot 20 5G's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 06 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 76.5 x 8.9 mm (6.55 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 nits | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (except 64/4 option) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Space Blue, Blaster Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | X666, X666B | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 240 EUR | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | - | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 20 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Powerful Dimensity 810 Chipset
- Faster 18W Charging
- Larger Main Camera Sensor (potentially better image quality)
- Good Value for Money
- Design might be less premium than some competitors
- Software experience can be a bit cluttered
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Slightly Higher Resolution Display
- More Affordable Price
- Clean MIUI Software
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Powerful Helio G85 Chipset
- Slower 10W Charging
- Lower Performance for Gaming and Multitasking
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.6-inch displays, but the Redmi 12C boasts a slightly higher resolution (1080 x 2408) compared to the Hot 20 5G (1080 x 2400). While the difference is minimal, the Redmi 12C's display might appear slightly sharper. Both use IPS LCD panels, so expect decent color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C typically features a 50MP main camera, while the Hot 20 5G has a 64MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Hot 20 5G's larger sensor and potentially better image processing could result in slightly better image quality, especially in low light. Both phones offer decent front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Performance
This is where the Infinix Hot 20 5G truly shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 810 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Hot 20 5G. The Dimensity 810's 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones pack large 5000mAh batteries, offering all-day battery life. However, the Infinix Hot 20 5G has a clear advantage with its 18W wired charging, compared to the Redmi 12C's 10W charging. This means the Hot 20 5G will charge significantly faster.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 20 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity and a smoother, faster experience for gaming and multitasking. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a good option for those prioritizing a slightly better display and a more affordable price point, but are less concerned about performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 20 5G worth the extra money compared to the Redmi 12C?
Yes, if 5G connectivity and better performance are important to you, the Hot 20 5G is worth the investment. The Dimensity 810 chipset provides a noticeable upgrade.
❓ Which phone has better software?
The Redmi 12C typically runs a cleaner version of MIUI, while the Infinix Hot 20 5G's software can be a bit more cluttered with pre-installed apps. However, both offer a generally user-friendly experience.
