The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12 (2023) and Realme C55 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the Infinix Note 12 thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and exceptional battery endurance. While the Note 12 boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the C55's overall package provides a more polished and user-friendly experience 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 06 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 06 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (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 |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | X676C | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Note 12 (2023)
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Good AMOLED display (likely)
- Stylish design
- Lower brightness display compared to C55
- Slower charging
- Battery life not as exceptional as C55
Realme C55
- Brighter display
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster charging (50% in 29 min)
- Refined user experience
- Less powerful chipset than Note 12
- Design may be less striking to some
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 takes the display crown. Its measured 659 nits peak brightness significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Infinix Note 12. While both offer a 1264:1 contrast ratio, the C55's brightness makes content pop more. The Note 12 likely has a good AMOLED panel, but the C55's superior brightness is a noticeable advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Realme C55 likely has slightly better image processing, resulting in more vibrant and pleasing photos. Low-light performance is likely similar on both devices, relying heavily on software algorithms. Specific camera features and video recording capabilities would require more in-depth testing.
Performance
The Infinix Note 12's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset holds a performance advantage over the Realme C55's Helio G88. The G99's Cortex-A76 cores offer better single-core performance, which translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. However, in everyday use, the difference might not be dramatically noticeable for average users.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in battery life. Its endurance rating of 123h is exceptional, suggesting it can easily last for two or more days on a single charge. The Infinix Note 12's battery life is respectable, but not as impressive as the C55. Both offer 33W wired charging, but the Realme C55 charges to 50% in just 29 minutes, a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 12 (2023) is ideal for users prioritizing gaming and slightly smoother performance for demanding apps. The Realme C55 is a better choice for those who value long battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a generally more refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Note 12 (2023) has a slightly more powerful chipset, making it a better choice for demanding games. However, the Realme C55 can still handle most games at reasonable settings.
❓ How long will the Realme C55's battery last?
The Realme C55 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 123 hours, meaning it can easily last for two or more days on a single charge with moderate usage.
