The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12 G96 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 edges out the Infinix Note 12 G96 thanks to its more efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset, resulting in superior battery life and a brighter display. While the Infinix offers a slightly more powerful CPU core, the Redmi's overall package is more polished and delivers a better user experience.
| 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, 41, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 16 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 16 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 Direct | 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Force Black, Snowfall, Sapphire Blue (Jewel Blue) | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | X670 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | About 210 EUR | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
Infinix Note 12 G96
- Potentially better gaming performance due to Cortex-A76 cores
- Slightly larger screen (likely)
- Competitive price
- Lower battery life compared to Redmi Note 12
- Less bright display
- Potentially less refined camera software
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional battery life (101h endurance rating)
- Brighter display (706 nits)
- Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset
- Faster charging (50% in 22 min)
- Potentially slightly less powerful CPU for demanding games
- Nominal 'infinite' contrast ratio may not translate to significant real-world difference
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, significantly brighter than the Infinix Note 12 G96. While the Infinix's display is adequate, the Redmi's offers better visibility in sunlight. The Redmi's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent black levels and vibrant colors, though this is a marketing term and real-world performance may vary. Both likely use AMOLED panels, offering rich colors and deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, Xiaomi phones are known for their well-tuned camera software and image processing. The Redmi Note 12 likely offers a more consistent and reliable camera experience, while the Infinix might offer slightly more vibrant (though potentially less accurate) colors.
Performance
The Infinix Note 12 G96 utilizes a Mediatek Helio G96, featuring two Cortex-A76 cores for improved performance. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, built on a more efficient 6nm process, often translates to better overall efficiency and smoother multitasking despite having Cortex-A78 cores. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and usage patterns.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is exceptional, and it charges to 50% in just 22 minutes with 33W charging. The Infinix Note 12 G96's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the Redmi's impressive longevity.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 12 G96 is a good choice for users prioritizing gaming performance and a slightly larger screen. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is ideal for those seeking exceptional battery life, a brighter display for outdoor use, and a more streamlined software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Note 12 G96's Cortex-A76 cores *might* offer a slight edge in some games, but the Redmi Note 12's efficiency and optimization could still provide a smooth experience. It depends on the specific game and settings.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio a significant advantage?
The 'infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term. While it suggests excellent black levels, real-world performance will depend on the panel quality and calibration. It's likely a good display, but don't expect a revolutionary difference.
