The Infinix Hot 8 and Nokia 4.2 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Hot 8 prioritizes offering multiple configurations, including a higher-spec variant, while the Nokia 4.2 focuses on a cleaner Android experience and Qualcomm’s established chipset lineage. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for users seeking an affordable Android experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother software experience, the Nokia 4.2 emerges as the better choice. While the Infinix Hot 8 offers a potentially more powerful Helio P22 variant, the Snapdragon 439 in the Nokia 4.2 provides a more balanced and reliable experience, especially for multitasking and everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA, APAC, MENA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 04. Released 2019, September | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, May 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 149 x 71.3 x 8.4 mm (5.87 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) - 32/2 GBMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) - 64/4 GB | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | Dirac Surround Sound | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Cosmic Purple, Shark Grey, Midnight Black | Black, Pink Sand |
| Models | X650C, X650B, X650D | TA-1184, TA-1133, TA-1149, TA-1150, TA-1157, TA-1152 |
| Price | About 7000 INR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 8
- Potential for 4GB RAM configuration offers better multitasking.
- Helio P22 variant provides more processing cores than Snapdragon 439.
- Generally lower price point.
- Helio A22 variant is significantly underpowered.
- Software optimization may be aggressive, impacting performance.
- Potentially less refined camera image processing.
Nokia 4.2
- More efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset for smoother performance.
- Cleaner Android experience with potential for faster updates.
- Qualcomm ISP offers potentially better image processing.
- Base model often comes with only 2GB of RAM.
- May be slightly more expensive than the base Infinix Hot 8.
- Performance is not class-leading, but consistent.
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 rather functionality. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but the Nokia 4.2’s slightly more premium positioning *suggests* a marginally better panel quality, though this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, with neither excelling in image quality. Both will likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth or macro sensors of limited utility. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 439 generally offers better image processing capabilities than MediaTek’s ISP in the Helio A22/P22, potentially leading to slightly more detailed and accurate photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Nokia 4.2’s software optimizations may also contribute to better image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 8 comes in two configurations: the Helio A22 (quad-core, 2.0 GHz) and the Helio P22 (octa-core, 1.8 GHz). The Nokia 4.2 features the Snapdragon 439 (octa-core, 1.95 GHz & 1.45 GHz). While the P22 variant of the Hot 8 has more cores than the Snapdragon 439, the Snapdragon’s architecture – utilizing a big.LITTLE configuration – is more efficient. The 439’s split core design allows it to dynamically allocate tasks to the appropriate cores, resulting in smoother multitasking and better sustained performance. The A22, being a quad-core processor, will struggle with more demanding tasks. The 12nm process node is shared by all three chipsets, meaning thermal efficiency differences will be minimal, but the Snapdragon’s architecture gives it an edge.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both devices likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The real-world impact will depend on software optimization and chipset efficiency. The Snapdragon 439’s more efficient architecture should translate to slightly better battery life compared to the Helio A22, even with a similar battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support standard 5W or 10W charging, resulting in relatively slow charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 8 if you absolutely need the potential for more RAM (4GB vs 2GB in some Nokia 4.2 models) and are comfortable with potentially more aggressive software optimization. Buy the Nokia 4.2 if you value a cleaner Android experience, a more consistent processor performance profile, and Qualcomm’s reputation for stable chipset operation, even if it means sacrificing some potential peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 8 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio A22 variant will struggle with PUBG Mobile, even on low settings. The Helio P22 variant *may* be playable at low settings, but expect significant frame drops and lag. The Nokia 4.2’s Snapdragon 439 offers a more stable, albeit still limited, gaming experience at low to medium settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Infinix Hot 8 and Nokia 4.2?
The Nokia 4.2 is part of the Android One program, guaranteeing a near-stock Android experience with timely security updates. The Infinix Hot 8 utilizes a heavily customized version of Android, which may include bloatware and a less refined user interface. This customization can impact performance and responsiveness.
❓ Is the 2GB of RAM in some Nokia 4.2 models sufficient for everyday use?
2GB of RAM is becoming increasingly limiting in modern Android. While usable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing, multitasking will be sluggish, and running multiple apps simultaneously will likely cause performance issues. Upgrading to a 4GB model is highly recommended if your budget allows.
