The Infinix Hot series and Note series are known for delivering impressive features at affordable prices. But which one is right for you? We're pitting the Infinix Hot 30i against the Infinix Note 12 (2023) to see which phone offers the best value and performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Note 12 (2023) takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful chipset (Helio G99 vs. T606), faster charging (33W vs. 18W), and generally smoother overall experience. While the Hot 30i is a budget-friendly option, the Note 12 offers a noticeable upgrade.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 31 | 2022, October 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2022, October 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White |
| Models | X669, X669D | X676C |
| Price | - | About 220 EUR |
Infinix Hot 30i
- Very affordable
- Long battery life
- Decent display
- Stylish design
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
- Plastic build
Infinix Note 12 (2023)
- Powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Fast charging (33W)
- Better camera system
- Higher refresh rate display
- More premium feel
- Slightly more expensive
- Battery life marginally shorter than Hot 30i
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.7 inches, with FHD+ resolution. The Note 12 often boasts a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) compared to the Hot 30i (60Hz or 90Hz), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Display quality is generally good for the price range, with decent color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Note 12 typically features a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor (e.g., 50MP) and additional lenses like ultrawide or macro. While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting, the Note 12 generally produces better photos with more detail and dynamic range. Low-light performance is also typically better on the Note 12.
Performance
This is where the Note 12 shines. The Mediatek Helio G99 offers a substantial performance advantage over the Unisoc T606. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Note 12. The T606 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones usually pack large batteries (around 5000mAh), offering all-day battery life. However, the Note 12's 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Hot 30i's 18W charging.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Hot 30i is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life. The Infinix Note 12 (2023) is a better choice for those who want a smoother performance, faster charging, and a more capable camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Hot 30i good for gaming?
The Hot 30i can handle basic games, but it will struggle with demanding titles. The Note 12 is a much better choice for gamers.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer all-day battery life, but the Hot 30i has a slightly larger battery. However, the Note 12 charges much faster.
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets?
The Mediatek Helio G99 in the Note 12 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T606 in the Hot 30i, resulting in better performance across the board.
