Infinix Note 12 G96 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Infinix Note 12 G96 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Infinix prioritizes performance and fast charging at a lower price point, while the Samsung A53 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on camera quality and software refinement. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience and brand reliability, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, gamers and those on a tighter budget will find the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers compelling performance for the price, despite compromises in camera and software.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands-2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 412, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2022, May 162022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 16Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, XOS 10.6Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lenses-
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsForce Black, Snowfall, Sapphire Blue (Jewel Blue)Black, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsX670SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 210 EUR$ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14
SAR-0.75 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.89 W/kg (head)     1.60 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 12 G96

  • Faster 33W charging
  • Potentially better gaming performance for the price
  • More affordable price point

  • Likely inferior camera quality
  • Less refined software experience
  • Display brightness likely lower

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter and more color-accurate display
  • Superior camera system with OIS
  • More polished software experience

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Higher price
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 830 nits, compared to an unstated value for the Infinix Note 12 G96. This brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The lack of refresh rate information for the Infinix Note 12 G96 is a drawback, as the A53 5G’s 120Hz panel provides a smoother scrolling experience. The A53’s higher peak brightness is a clear win for users who frequently use their phones outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is expected to deliver superior image quality due to Samsung’s established camera processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor size (data not provided). The Infinix Note 12 G96 likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor. The A53’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is also a significant advantage, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos, especially in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Infinix is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility, while the A53’s camera system is more likely to offer a consistent and reliable experience.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset offers a performance advantage over the Infinix Note 12 G96’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The Exynos 1280 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, a more modern and efficient architecture than the G96’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones feature 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, the Exynos’ superior CPU and GPU will deliver a smoother experience in demanding applications and games. The G96 is still capable, but the A53 has a clear edge.

Battery Life

Both the Infinix Note 12 G96 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, their charging speeds differ significantly. The Infinix Note 12 G96 supports 33W wired charging, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is limited to 25W. This means the Infinix will likely charge from 0-100% faster, offering a convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the faster charging, the more efficient Exynos chip in the A53 offsets the difference in charging speed in terms of overall usability.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 G96 if you need a phone primarily for gaming and media consumption, and value fast charging and a lower price tag above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a more polished software experience, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and a more versatile camera system, even if it means paying a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1280 is a capable chip, it can exhibit some thermal throttling during extended gaming. However, Samsung’s software optimizations and the phone’s cooling system generally mitigate this issue, preventing significant performance drops. The 5nm process helps, but it's not immune to heat buildup.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Infinix Note 12 G96 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-quality macro photography from the Infinix Note 12 G96.
❓ Can the Infinix Note 12 G96 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Infinix Note 12 G96 can likely run PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium graphics settings. However, achieving consistently high frame rates with high graphics may require some optimization and could lead to occasional frame drops due to the Helio G96's limitations.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G?
Samsung’s One UI offers a more polished and feature-rich software experience with guaranteed updates and a cleaner interface. Infinix’s XOS, while improving, is often criticized for pre-installed bloatware and a less consistent update schedule. Samsung provides a more refined and long-term software support experience.