The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Hot 9 and Nokia 3.4 represent two compelling options, each aiming to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Hot 9 prioritizing raw core count and the Nokia 3.4 opting for a more efficient chipset architecture. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 3.4 emerges as the better choice. While the Infinix Hot 9 boasts an octa-core processor, the Nokia 3.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, provides a smoother, more responsive experience thanks to its superior CPU architecture and optimized power efficiency. The 10W charging is a drawback, but the overall refinement makes it the winner.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses
or
16 MP, (wide), PDAF (64/128 GB models only)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | X655C, X655, X655D | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 9
- Potentially lower price point
- Octa-core processor for multi-tasking
- Likely larger battery capacity (estimated)
- Less efficient chipset architecture
- Potential for thermal throttling
- Potentially slower app loading times
Nokia 3.4
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Superior CPU architecture (Cortex-A73 cores)
- Smoother and more responsive user experience
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May have slightly less raw multi-core power
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature 720p+ resolution panels, typical for this price bracket. However, details like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and peak brightness are missing. The Nokia 3.4’s potential for better color calibration, a hallmark of Nokia’s software, could give it a slight edge in visual quality, but without specific display specs, it’s difficult to definitively say. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the entry-level segment. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but both will likely feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (e.g., depth or macro). Image processing will be a key differentiator. Nokia’s software typically prioritizes natural-looking images, while Infinix often employs more aggressive sharpening and saturation. Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Nokia 3.4’s software optimization could provide a slight advantage.
Performance
This is where the key difference lies. The Infinix Hot 9’s MediaTek Helio A25 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and 1.5GHz. The Nokia 3.4’s Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, features a more modern architecture with four Cortex-A73 cores at 1.8GHz alongside four Cortex-A53 cores. The A73 cores are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores, resulting in faster single-core performance and improved responsiveness. The 11nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Nokia 3.4 is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While the Hot 9 has more cores, the Snapdragon 460’s architecture delivers a more refined experience.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, common for budget smartphones. However, the Nokia 3.4 is limited to 10W wired charging, while the Infinix Hot 9’s charging speed is unspecified but likely similar. The Snapdragon 460’s superior power efficiency means the Nokia 3.4 will likely offer comparable or even better battery life despite the slower charging speed. The 10W charging will require a longer time to reach a full charge, a potential inconvenience for users who need a quick top-up.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 9 if you prioritize maximizing multi-core performance for heavily threaded tasks, and are comfortable with potentially longer app loading times and less consistent frame rates in games. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you value a more fluid daily experience, better app responsiveness, and a chipset designed for sustained performance, even if it means sacrificing some theoretical peak processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Nokia 3.4 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio A25 in the Infinix Hot 9 will likely struggle more with consistent performance in demanding games.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia 3.4 a significant drawback?
While 10W charging is slow by modern standards, the Snapdragon 460’s efficiency means you won’t need to charge as frequently. Expect a full charge to take around 3-4 hours. If quick charging is a priority, the Infinix Hot 9 *might* offer faster charging, but the exact wattage is unknown.
❓ Which phone is better for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Nokia 3.4 is better suited for everyday tasks. The Snapdragon 460’s superior CPU architecture provides a smoother and more responsive experience when navigating apps, browsing the web, and using social media.
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 9 have any advantages for video editing or content creation?
The Infinix Hot 9’s octa-core processor *could* offer a slight advantage in heavily threaded tasks like video editing, but the less efficient architecture and potential for throttling may negate this benefit. The Nokia 3.4 is likely to provide a more consistent experience overall.
