Infinix Note 12 G96 vs. Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Note 12 G96 aims to deliver strong value, while the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best experience for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks and gaming, despite the Infinix Note 12 G96’s faster 33W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 G96 Samsung Galaxy A73 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, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41-
Launch
Announced2022, May 162022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 16Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)181 g (6.38 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 (~393 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 12, XOS 10.6Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 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, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsForce Black, Snowfall, Sapphire Blue (Jewel Blue)Gray, Mint, White
ModelsX670SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

Infinix Note 12 G96

  • Faster 33W wired charging
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • May offer a larger internal storage option

  • Less powerful chipset (Helio G96)
  • Likely less refined software experience
  • Potentially lower camera performance

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 778G 5G
  • Superior software experience and update commitment
  • Likely better camera performance and image processing

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Potentially higher price point
  • May have less internal storage in base configurations

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature AMOLED displays (based on market segment), the specifics are crucial. The Galaxy A73 5G benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering superior color accuracy and brightness. The Infinix Note 12 G96’s display specs are not provided, but given its price point, it likely targets a good, but not class-leading, visual experience. The A73’s potential for higher peak brightness will translate to better outdoor visibility. The A73 likely has a higher refresh rate as well, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing. The A73 likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 778G, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 may offer a high megapixel count, sensor size and lens aperture are more critical. The A73’s potential for optical image stabilization (OIS) – a common feature in Samsung’s A-series – would provide a significant advantage in low-light photography and video recording. We can assume the A73 will have a more consistent and reliable camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant step up from the Infinix Note 12 G96’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 778G offers superior power efficiency, leading to less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 778G’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores – provides a substantial performance boost over the Helio G96’s 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the A73.

Battery Life

The Infinix Note 12 G96’s 33W wired charging is faster than the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. This means quicker top-ups, which is beneficial for users who don’t have time for extended charging sessions. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior power efficiency may offset the A73’s slower charging speed in real-world usage. The A73’s more efficient chipset will draw less power during typical use, potentially resulting in comparable or even better battery life despite a potentially smaller battery capacity (spec not provided for either device).

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 G96 if you need a phone that prioritizes fast charging and are comfortable with a less polished software experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their battery and don’t heavily rely on intensive applications. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, better long-term performance, and a more established brand with a stronger software update commitment. It’s the better option for gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G96 in the Infinix Note 12 G96 struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G96 is likely to struggle with Genshin Impact at higher settings. While it can run the game, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 778G in the A73 will provide a much smoother experience, even at medium to high settings.
❓ How does Samsung's software update policy compare to Infinix's for the Galaxy A73 5G and Note 12 G96?
Samsung provides a significantly better software update commitment. The Galaxy A73 5G is promised several years of Android OS updates and security patches. Infinix’s update policy is less predictable, and the Note 12 G96 is likely to receive fewer updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks over time.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A73 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
While 25W isn't the fastest charging available, the Snapdragon 778G's efficiency means the A73 doesn't *need* to charge as frequently. The difference in charge time from 0-100% won't be drastically different from the Infinix Note 12 G96 in typical daily use, and the A73's battery will likely last longer between charges.