The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12 (2023) and Realme 10 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 10 edges out the Infinix Note 12 thanks to its faster charging, slightly brighter display, and generally more refined software experience. While both share the same chipset, Realme's optimizations and additional features give it a slight advantage for most users.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2022, November 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 06 | Available. Released 2022, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 28 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White | White, Blue |
| Models | X676C | RMX3630 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 385829 (v9)
GeekBench: 1762 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Note 12 (2023)
- Clean Android experience
- Large display
- Good value for money
- Decent performance for the price
- Slower charging compared to Realme 10
- Lower peak brightness
- Image processing could be improved
Realme 10
- Faster charging (50% in 28 min)
- Brighter display
- Refined software experience
- Vibrant camera output
- Slightly more expensive
- Software can feel a bit bloated
- Design might not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the Realme 10 boasts a measured peak brightness of 610 nits, providing better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Note 12. The Realme 10's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal claim, but generally AMOLED panels offer excellent contrast.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both phones typically feature a 50MP main camera, but image processing differs. The Realme 10 often delivers more saturated and vibrant photos, while the Infinix Note 12 might offer slightly more natural colors. Video recording capabilities are comparable, with both supporting 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
Powered by the Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, both devices offer similar performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. However, Realme's software optimizations might result in slightly better real-world performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 10 shines in this category. While both offer a large battery and 33W charging, the Realme 10's charging speed is noticeably faster, reaching 50% in just 28 minutes. Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (126h), suggesting excellent battery life for typical usage.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 12 (2023) is a great choice for users prioritizing a large display and a clean Android experience. The Realme 10 is ideal for those who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and a slightly more feature-rich software package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones offer excellent battery life with an endurance rating of 126 hours. However, the Realme 10 charges significantly faster.
❓ Is the Helio G99 chipset enough for gaming?
Yes, the Helio G99 is capable of handling most mobile games at medium to high settings. However, don't expect flagship-level performance.