The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 20 Play and Xiaomi Poco C55 are two contenders vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to performance and charging. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for budget-conscious users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco C55 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, featuring more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Infinix Hot 20 Play’s Helio G37, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. While the Infinix boasts 18W charging, the Poco’s optimized software and efficient chipset offset the slower 10W charging.
| 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, 28A, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 13 | 2023, February 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2023, February 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Panda Glass), eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 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 | 209.6 g (7.41 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | Dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Racing Black, Luna Blue, Aurora Green, Fantasy Purple | Cool Blue, Power Black, Forest Green |
| Models | X6825 | 22127PC95I |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 20 Play
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Reverse wired charging for accessory power.
- Potentially more compact form factor.
- Less powerful Helio G37 chipset.
- Inferior CPU architecture for demanding tasks.
- Likely less optimized software experience.
Xiaomi Poco C55
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset for better performance.
- Superior CPU architecture with Cortex-A75 cores.
- Generally better software optimization from Xiaomi.
- Slower 10W charging.
- No reverse wired charging.
- Potentially larger and less pocketable design.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on usability. Without specific display specs (resolution, brightness), it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the Poco C55’s larger screen size (typically found in this series) may offer a more immersive viewing experience, while the Hot 20 Play may prioritize a more compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning of both brands suggests similar camera capabilities – a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses (likely 2MP depth or macro sensors). Image processing will play a crucial role, and Xiaomi’s software optimization generally provides a more refined image quality compared to Infinix. The absence of OIS on either device means low-light performance will be limited.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C55’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) is a significant step up from the Infinix Hot 20 Play’s Helio G37 (12nm). The G85 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the G37 relies solely on four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. This architectural difference translates to better multi-core performance and improved responsiveness on the Poco C55, particularly in gaming and app loading times. The A75 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for everyday tasks. While the G37's higher clock speed on the A53 cores might offer a slight advantage in specific, highly-threaded tasks, the G85’s superior core design provides a more consistent and noticeable performance improvement.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Infinix Hot 20 Play supports 18W wired charging, while the Poco C55 is limited to 10W. This means the Infinix will charge significantly faster, potentially reaching a full charge in under 2 hours compared to the Poco C55’s longer charging time. However, the Poco C55’s more efficient Helio G85 chipset may offset some of this disadvantage by consuming less power during usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 20 Play if you prioritize reverse wired charging for topping up accessories and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco C55 if you want a more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and running more demanding apps, even if it means sacrificing reverse charging and accepting slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco C55 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G85 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense firefights, but the overall experience should be playable. The Infinix Hot 20 Play’s Helio G37 will likely require lower settings and may exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Infinix Hot 20 Play with the 18W charger?
Assuming a 5000mAh battery (typical for this segment), the Infinix Hot 20 Play should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. The Poco C55, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer – likely exceeding 3 hours.
❓ Does the Poco C55 support any form of fast charging protocols like Quick Charge?
The Poco C55 supports 10W charging via the standard USB-PD protocol. It does not officially support Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, meaning using a Quick Charge adapter won’t result in faster charging speeds. The Infinix Hot 20 Play also doesn't support Quick Charge, relying on standard USB-PD for its 18W charging.
