Infinix Note 12 VIP vs. Xiaomi Poco F4: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Infinix Note 12 VIP and Xiaomi Poco F4 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Note 12 VIP aggressively targets charging speed and value, while the Poco F4 prioritizes raw processing power with its Snapdragon 870 chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Xiaomi Poco F4 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 870 offers a significant performance advantage over the Helio G96, and the 1003 nit display provides excellent visibility. However, the Infinix Note 12 VIP’s 120W charging is a game-changer for those who value speed above all else.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 VIP Xiaomi Poco F4
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, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 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, June 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, July 13Available. Released 2022, June 27
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions163.5 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.43 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning 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 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 700 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 900 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, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14.2 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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", 1.12µm-
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 13mm f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash-
Single16 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm20 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 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
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 17 min67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 38 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCayenne grey, Force blackMoonlight Silver, Night Black, Nebula Green
ModelsX67222021211RG, 22021211RI
PriceAbout 290 EUR₹ 16,999
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 590961 (v8), 698586 (v9) GeekBench: 3190 (v5.1) GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 12 VIP

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging (17 minutes to full)
  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Good battery endurance (101h)

  • Less powerful Helio G96 chipset
  • Likely lower display brightness
  • Camera performance is unknown

Xiaomi Poco F4

  • Powerful Snapdragon 870 5G chipset
  • Bright 1003 nit display
  • Excellent battery endurance (101h)

  • Slower 67W charging (38 minutes to full)
  • Potentially higher price
  • May experience some thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Poco F4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1003 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. While the Note 12 VIP’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s unlikely to match this level of brightness. The Poco F4’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a strong AMOLED panel, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t as efficient as on flagship models, but both likely offer a 120Hz panel. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing for the Infinix Note 12 VIP. The Poco F4’s camera performance will depend heavily on its main sensor and image processing algorithms. Without specific details, it’s difficult to assess the Note 12 VIP’s camera capabilities, but it’s reasonable to assume the Poco F4 will offer a more refined and versatile camera experience given Xiaomi’s established camera expertise. The presence of OIS on the Poco F4 would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over 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 significantly faster CPU and GPU performance. The 7nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Helio G96 is capable for everyday tasks, it will struggle with demanding games and applications compared to the Snapdragon 870. The Poco F4 likely benefits from faster RAM (LPDDR5) compared to the Note 12 VIP, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 101 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the difference in charging speeds. However, the Infinix Note 12 VIP’s 120W wired charging is a standout feature, achieving a full charge in just 17 minutes. The Poco F4’s 67W charging, while still fast, takes considerably longer at 38 minutes. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime. The Poco F4 supports PD3.0 and QC3, offering broader compatibility with chargers, while the Note 12 VIP’s 120W charging requires a compatible adapter.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 VIP if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds and are willing to compromise on peak performance. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and need a quick top-up. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F4 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. It’s the better choice for power users and those who value a brighter, more vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Helio G96 in the Infinix Note 12 VIP struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G96 is a mid-range chipset and will likely require significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in demanding titles like Genshin Impact. The Snapdragon 870 in the Poco F4 offers a much smoother gaming experience with higher graphical fidelity.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Poco F4 compare to other phones in its price range?
67W charging is relatively fast and places the Poco F4 above many competitors in its price bracket. While not as rapid as the Infinix Note 12 VIP’s 120W, it’s still significantly faster than the standard 33W or 25W charging found on many mid-range devices. It also benefits from PD3.0 and QC3 compatibility.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. While both phones offer all-day battery life, the 120W charging on the Infinix Note 12 VIP transforms the experience. A quick 10-minute charge can provide hours of usage, making it ideal for users who frequently need a battery boost.