iQOO Neo 6 vs. Infinix Note 12 VIP: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Infinix Note 12 VIP and vivo iQOO Neo 6 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches. The Note 12 VIP prioritizes blazing-fast 120W charging, while the iQOO Neo 6 leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chipset for enhanced performance. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and sustained gaming, the vivo iQOO Neo 6 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset offers a significant advantage over the Helio G96 in the Infinix Note 12 VIP. However, the Note 12 VIP’s 120W charging is undeniably faster, making it ideal for those who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 VIP vivo iQOO Neo 6
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28-
Launch
Announced2022, May 162022, May 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 13Available. Released 2022, May 31
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.5 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)
ChipsetMediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 650
OSAndroid 12, XOS 10.5Android 12, Funtouch 12
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Quad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 13mm f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR
Single16 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, 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, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 17 min80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min
Type4500 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsCayenne grey, Force blackDark Nova, Cyber Rage
ModelsX672I2126
PriceAbout 290 EURAbout 360 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 627246 (v8), 730223 (v9) GeekBench: 3076 (v5.1) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 12 VIP

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging (17 minutes to full)
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Likely a lightweight design due to less emphasis on cooling

  • Helio G96 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 870
  • Potential for thermal throttling during intensive tasks
  • Display brightness and refresh rate may be lower

vivo iQOO Neo 6

  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chipset for smooth performance
  • Superior thermal management for sustained gaming
  • Brighter display with infinite contrast ratio

  • Slower 80W charging (32 minutes to full)
  • Potentially higher price
  • May require more robust cooling, adding to weight

Display Comparison

The iQOO Neo 6 boasts a measured peak brightness of 772 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Infinix Note 12 VIP (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the iQOO Neo 6’s infinite contrast ratio indicates a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The absence of refresh rate data for the Note 12 VIP suggests it may not match the smoothness potentially offered by the iQOO Neo 6, which is common in this segment.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO Neo 6’s Snapdragon 870 ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The Note 12 VIP’s camera performance will likely be adequate for everyday use, but the iQOO Neo 6 has the potential for higher-quality photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Neo 6’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a significant step up from the Infinix Note 12 VIP’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, deliver substantially higher CPU and GPU performance. The 7nm process node also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged gaming. The Helio G96, while capable, is geared towards more moderate tasks and will struggle to maintain peak performance under sustained load. The iQOO Neo 6 benefits from the Snapdragon's superior 5G modem as well.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 97 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (data unavailable for Note 12 VIP). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Infinix Note 12 VIP’s 120W charging can fully charge the device in just 17 minutes, a significant advantage. The iQOO Neo 6’s 80W charging takes 32 minutes for a full charge, but still reaches 50% in a respectable 12 minutes. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 VIP if you absolutely need the fastest charging speeds available and are a casual user who doesn't heavily rely on demanding applications or extended gaming sessions. Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 6 if you prioritize smooth performance in games, multitasking, and future-proofing with a more capable chipset, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G96 in the Infinix Note 12 VIP struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G96 is not ideally suited for graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. While it can run them, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings significantly to maintain a playable frame rate, and prolonged gaming may lead to noticeable thermal throttling.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the iQOO Neo 6 compare to other 80W implementations in terms of heat generation?
vivo typically employs efficient charging algorithms and thermal management solutions. While 80W charging generates some heat, the iQOO Neo 6 is designed to dissipate it effectively, preventing excessive temperature increases during charging. It won't be as cool as the Note 12 VIP's 120W, but it's well-managed.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 870 and Helio G96 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and video playback, the difference will be minimal. However, the Snapdragon 870 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking or switching between apps, and will handle demanding apps more efficiently.
❓ Does the iQOO Neo 6 support higher refresh rate displays for smoother scrolling and gaming?
While the exact refresh rate isn't specified in the provided data, iQOO Neo phones typically feature high refresh rate displays (often 120Hz). This contributes to a smoother visual experience, especially during gaming and scrolling through content.