Infinix Note 12 vs Samsung Galaxy A53 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The Infinix Note 12 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Note 12 aggressively targets gamers and power users with a focus on fast charging and a relatively affordable price, while the A53 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a strong emphasis on camera quality and Samsung’s established ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. Its superior display brightness, more refined camera system, and established software support outweigh the Infinix Note 12’s faster charging and lower price. However, gamers on a tight budget will find the Note 12 a compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 Samsung Galaxy A53 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, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands-2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 412, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V
Launch
Announced2022, April 262022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 26Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.4 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184.5 g (6.49 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G68
OSAndroid 11, XOS 10.6Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-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
Features-HDR
Single16 MP32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
BluetoothYes5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsJewel Blue, Force Black, Sunset GoldenBlack, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsX663, X663C, X663DSM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 190 EUR$ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14
SAR-0.75 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.89 W/kg (head)     1.60 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 113h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 12

  • Faster 33W charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially better gaming performance for the price

  • Less powerful processor
  • Lower display brightness
  • Less refined camera system

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter and more color-accurate display
  • More powerful and efficient processor
  • Superior camera system
  • Samsung’s software support and ecosystem

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Higher price

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 830 nits, compared to the Infinix Note 12’s unspecified brightness. This makes the A53 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on market segment), the A53’s higher peak brightness and 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggest a superior viewing experience. The Note 12’s display specifications are less detailed, leaving questions about color accuracy and viewing angles unanswered. The A53’s larger display size also contributes to a more immersive experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is expected to deliver superior image quality. While specific sensor details are missing for both, Samsung’s image processing algorithms and likely larger main sensor (typical for the A-series) provide an advantage. The Note 12’s camera system is likely focused on providing acceptable results at a lower price point. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Note 12 is a common cost-cutting measure, offering limited practical benefit compared to a dedicated, higher-resolution sensor. The A53’s camera system is more likely to offer features like optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and smoother videos.

Performance

The Exynos 1280 (5nm) in the Galaxy A53 5G represents a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency over the MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm) found in the Infinix Note 12. The A53’s CPU features 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Note 12 has 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1280 also translates to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Note 12 is adequate for everyday tasks, the A53 5G offers a smoother and more responsive experience, particularly in demanding games and multitasking scenarios.

Battery Life

Both the Infinix Note 12 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Note 12 supports 33W wired charging, while the A53 5G is limited to 25W. This means the Note 12 will likely charge from 0-100% faster, offering a convenience advantage. Despite the slower charging, the A53’s optimized power efficiency from the Exynos 1280 and 5nm process can offset the difference in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 if you need a phone primarily for gaming and fast charging is a top priority, and you're comfortable with a less polished software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a more versatile camera system, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s software updates and brand reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While some throttling may occur during extended, graphically intensive gaming, it's less likely to be a significant issue compared to the 12nm Helio G88 in the Note 12. Samsung’s software also includes thermal management features to mitigate overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Infinix Note 12 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Typically, 2MP macro cameras offer limited detail and image quality. Due to the small sensor size, images often appear soft and lack sharpness. While it can be used for experimentation, don't expect professional-level macro photography from the Note 12.
❓ Can the Infinix Note 12 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Helio G88 can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps with high graphics settings may be challenging. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a smooth and playable frame rate. The A53 5G, with its more powerful Exynos 1280, will provide a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G with the included 25W charger?
While Samsung includes a 25W charger in the box, a full charge from 0% to 100% typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. It's not the fastest charging speed available, but it's sufficient for overnight charging or topping up during the day.