Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G vs. Infinix Note 12: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12 and Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily revolving around chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and future-proofs connectivity. The significantly faster 67W charging is a game-changer, offsetting the identical battery endurance rating.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12 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, April 262022, February 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 26Available. Released 2022, March 23
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.4 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.47 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
Weight184.5 g (6.49 oz)205 g (7.23 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 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits, 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, XOS 10.6Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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
Single-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
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
BluetoothYes5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (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
ColorsJewel Blue, Force Black, Sunset GoldenLaser Black, Laser Blue, Poco Yellow
ModelsX663, X663C, X663D2201116PG
PriceAbout 190 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

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Decent battery endurance
  • Reliable MediaTek chipset for basic tasks

  • Slower charging speed
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 695
  • Larger fabrication process (12nm) leads to lower efficiency

Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G

  • Faster 67W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support
  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm)
  • 5G connectivity for future-proofing

  • Slightly higher price
  • Camera performance likely not a standout feature
  • Similar battery endurance to the Infinix Note 12 despite faster charging

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 Poco X4 Pro 5G’s positioning, it’s likely to offer a slightly more refined display experience, potentially with better outdoor visibility. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests a focus on battery conservation over visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or image processing. The absence of information suggests neither device prioritizes exceptional camera performance. It’s reasonable to assume the Poco X4 Pro 5G, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), might offer slightly better image quality and video stabilization. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco X4 Pro 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) boasts a more modern architecture and a smaller fabrication process compared to the Infinix Note 12’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm). This translates to improved power efficiency and sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a performance edge over the Helio G88’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s architecture is more optimized for demanding tasks. The 6nm process also means less heat generation, potentially reducing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

Both the Infinix Note 12 and Poco X4 Pro 5G achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The Poco X4 Pro 5G’s 67W wired charging, supporting PD3.0 and QC3, is a significant advantage, achieving 70% charge in just 22 minutes and a full charge in 41 minutes. The Infinix Note 12’s 33W charging is considerably slower, making the Poco X4 Pro 5G far more convenient for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12 if your priority is a slightly lower upfront cost and you primarily engage in light tasks like social media and basic communication. Buy the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G if you value smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, 5G connectivity, and significantly faster charging speeds – all for a modest price premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Poco X4 Pro 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 6nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling, but it's not a flagship-level gaming chipset.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G compared to the 33W charging on the Infinix Note 12 in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Poco X4 Pro 5G is significantly faster. It can charge from 0% to 70% in approximately 22 minutes, while the Infinix Note 12 will take considerably longer to reach the same level. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Poco X4 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While specific carrier aggregation support varies by region and carrier, the Snapdragon 695 generally supports carrier aggregation, potentially leading to faster and more stable 5G connections where available. Check with your carrier for compatibility details.
❓ Is the Helio G88 in the Infinix Note 12 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Helio G88 is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. It won't excel at demanding applications, but it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical smartphone usage.