The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Note 12i 2022 and Tecno Pova 3 are two strong contenders. Both offer impressive features for their price point, but which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Pova 3 edges out the Infinix Note 12i 2022 thanks to its reverse charging capability and potentially slightly better overall performance due to the Helio G88. However, the Note 12i might offer a more refined design and potentially a better display, depending on the specific variant.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 30 | 2022, May 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, May 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 173.1 x 78.5 x 9.4 mm (6.81 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 230 g (8.11 oz) |
| | - | RGB notification light stripe on the back (Electric Blue model only) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 10.6 | Android 11, HIOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth)
0.08 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired
10W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 7000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Force Black, Alpine White, Metaverse Blue | Electric Blue, Tech Silver, Eco Black |
| Models | X677 | LF7n |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Infinix Note 12i 2022
- Potentially better display quality
- Sleek design
- Fast charging (33W)
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- No reverse charging
- Camera performance may be inconsistent
Tecno Pova 3
- Slightly better performance (Helio G88)
- Reverse wired charging (10W)
- Large battery capacity
- Design might be less premium
- Display might be slightly less vibrant
- Camera software processing could be improved
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.6-6.8 inches with a Full HD+ resolution. The Note 12i might have a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs. 60Hz, based on typical Infinix offerings), leading to smoother scrolling and animations. However, panel quality and color accuracy can vary, so real-world testing is crucial.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both likely feature a 50MP main sensor, accompanied by depth and macro lenses. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The Note 12i might have slightly better image processing algorithms, but the Pova 3 could offer more versatile camera modes. Expect decent daytime photos from both, but low-light performance will be average.
Performance
The Tecno Pova 3's Helio G88 chipset offers a slight advantage over the Note 12i's Helio G85. While both are based on the same 12nm process and have similar CPU configurations, the G88 generally performs better in GPU-intensive tasks like gaming. Expect smoother gameplay and slightly faster app loading times on the Pova 3.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large batteries (likely around 5000mAh). The Tecno Pova 3's inclusion of 10W reverse wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices. The Note 12i relies solely on 33W fast charging for itself.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 12i 2022 is ideal for users prioritizing a sleek design and a potentially brighter, more vibrant display. The Tecno Pova 3 is a better choice for those who need reverse charging for accessories and want a slightly more powerful chipset for gaming and demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Pova 3's Helio G88 chipset provides a slight edge for gaming performance compared to the Infinix Note 12i's Helio G85.
❓ Can the Tecno Pova 3 charge other devices?
Yes, the Tecno Pova 3 features 10W reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
Both phones support 33W wired charging, so charging speeds are comparable when charging the phone itself. However, the Tecno Pova 3 has reverse charging.
❓ Are the cameras on these phones any good?
Both phones offer decent cameras for their price range, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Image quality will depend on lighting conditions and software processing.
