Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G vs. Infinix Note 12 G96: A Detailed Comparison

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G and the Infinix Note 12 G96 both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches: the Poco leverages Qualcomm's 5G connectivity and rapid charging, while the Infinix focuses on a balance of performance and affordability with a MediaTek chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 695 offers a more efficient architecture, and the significantly faster 67W charging is a game-changer. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 provides a solid experience, the Poco’s advantages in connectivity and convenience make it the better all-around choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 G96 Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, May 162022, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 16Available. Released 2022, March 23
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)164.2 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
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 (~395 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, XOS 10.6Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lenses108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF - Global version 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF - India version 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 70% in 22 min, 100% in 41 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsForce Black, Snowfall, Sapphire Blue (Jewel Blue)Laser Black, Laser Blue, Poco Yellow
ModelsX6702201116PG
PriceAbout 210 EUR€ 160.40 / $ 419.99 / £ 255.00 / ₹ 12,940
SAR-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     0.96 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 119h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.8 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 335353 (v8), 384646 (v9) GeekBench: 2063 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 12 G96

  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Significantly faster 67W charging
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds

  • Potentially higher initial cost
  • Detailed camera specs are unknown

Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G

  • Lower initial cost
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Comparable battery endurance rating

  • Less efficient Helio G96 chipset
  • Slower 33W charging
  • Lacks 5G connectivity

Display Comparison

Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting typical IPS LCD characteristics. However, detailed display specs like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the price point, expect both to offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both likely operate at 60Hz, which is standard for this segment. Bezels are likely comparable, with neither phone aiming for flagship-level screen-to-body ratios.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Poco X4 Pro 5G likely incorporates a more sophisticated image processing pipeline, leveraging Qualcomm’s ISP. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this price bracket suggests both phones likely include one, but their utility is limited. Focusing on the main sensor’s quality and software processing will be more impactful than pixel counts.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X4 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) boasts a more modern and efficient manufacturing process compared to the Infinix Note 12 G96’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). This 6nm process translates to better thermal management and improved power efficiency for the Poco, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the G96’s Cortex-A76 cores clock slightly higher (2.05 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the Poco), the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores benefit from Qualcomm’s architectural optimizations. The Poco also gains a significant advantage with 5G connectivity, absent in the Infinix.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the Infinix having an unspecified mAh capacity and the Poco having an unspecified mAh capacity. However, the charging experience is drastically different. The Poco X4 Pro 5G’s 67W wired charging, with support for PD3.0 and QC3, is a major advantage, achieving 70% charge in 22 minutes and 100% in 41 minutes. The Infinix Note 12 G96’s 33W charging is considerably slower, making the Poco a far more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 G96 if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are less concerned with 5G connectivity or extremely fast charging. It’s a good option for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G if you value 5G access, significantly faster charging speeds, and a more power-efficient processor, making it ideal for users who are always on the go and want a phone that can keep up.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the Poco X4 Pro 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 695 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. Genshin Impact may require lower settings for a smooth experience. The 6nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, allowing for sustained performance better than the Helio G96.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Infinix Note 12 G96 in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G can fully charge the device in approximately 41 minutes, while the 33W charging on the Infinix Note 12 G96 will take considerably longer – likely exceeding an hour and a half. This difference is significant for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Infinix Note 12 G96 a major drawback in 2024?
The importance of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If 5G is widely available in your area and you anticipate using data-intensive applications, the lack of 5G on the Infinix Note 12 G96 is a notable limitation. However, if 5G isn't readily accessible, it's less of a concern.