The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 20 Play and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two contenders vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best overall experience for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the better choice. While the Infinix Hot 20 Play offers faster 18W charging and reverse wired charging, the Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, making it more capable for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 13 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 13 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic 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) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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, 500 nits (typ) |
| 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 |
| 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 | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 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 | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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 (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 | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | X6825 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 130 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 Play
- Faster 18W charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially slightly better battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Inferior chipset performance (Helio G37)
- Less responsive user experience
- Likely struggles with demanding games
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Superior chipset performance (Helio G85)
- Smoother multitasking and app launches
- Better gaming performance
- More responsive user interface
- Slower 10W charging
- No reverse wired charging
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for the segment, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensor setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical value due to its low resolution. Image processing will likely prioritize speed over detail, resulting in acceptable but not exceptional photos. The Redmi 12C may have a slight edge due to the more powerful ISP within the Helio G85 chipset, potentially enabling slightly better image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) significantly outperforms 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, a configuration designed for improved multi-tasking and responsiveness compared to the G37’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. While the G37’s higher clock speed on its primary cores might seem advantageous, the architectural improvements of the G85’s A75 cores provide a more substantial real-world benefit. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a better gaming experience on the Redmi 12C. The Redmi 12C will handle more demanding apps and games with less lag.
Battery Life
Both phones feature large batteries, typical of the budget segment. The Infinix Hot 20 Play’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the Redmi 12C’s 10W charging. This means significantly faster 0-100% charge times for the Hot 20 Play. Furthermore, the inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging on the Hot 20 Play is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices. However, the Redmi 12C’s more efficient chipset may partially offset the charging speed difference, potentially offering comparable real-world battery life despite the slower charging rate.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 20 Play if you prioritize charging speed and the convenience of reverse wired charging to top up accessories. This is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost or rely on wired headphones. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you value smoother performance for daily use and occasional gaming, even if it means sacrificing faster charging and reverse charging capabilities. This phone is better suited for users who want a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. The G85 is a gaming-focused chip, offering a better experience than the G37 in the Hot 20 Play.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Infinix Hot 20 Play and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C?
The Infinix Hot 20 Play, with its 18W charging, will charge from 0-100% in approximately 2-3 hours. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C, with its 10W charging, will take considerably longer, likely around 3.5-4.5 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on the Infinix Hot 20 Play useful?
The 5W reverse charging on the Hot 20 Play is a niche feature, but can be very convenient for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch when you don't have access to a wall outlet. It's a slow charge, but better than nothing in a pinch.
❓ Which phone is better for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is better suited for everyday tasks. The Helio G85 chipset provides a smoother and more responsive experience when navigating the user interface, opening apps, and browsing the web compared to the Infinix Hot 20 Play’s Helio G37.
