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

The Infinix Note 12i and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Note 12i prioritizes affordability and gaming performance, while the A53 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on camera quality and a premium feel. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 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 brand reputation outweigh the Note 12i’s lower price and slightly faster charging. However, gamers on a tight budget will find the Note 12i a compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 12i 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, May 112022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 11Available. Released 2022, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions170.7 x 77.4 x 8.3 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.33 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzSuper 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 MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, XOS 10.6Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB 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
Single8 MP32 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
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR
Single8 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
NFCNoYes (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
ColorsForce Black, SnowfallBlack, White, Blue, Peach
ModelsX6819SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
PriceAbout 170 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 12i

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

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Likely lower display quality
  • Inferior camera system

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

  • Brighter, more vibrant display
  • More powerful and efficient chipset
  • Superior camera system

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Higher price
  • Potential for software bloat

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 830 nits, compared to the Infinix Note 12i’s unspecified brightness. This makes the A53 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Note 12i’s display specs are missing, it’s likely to be lower in peak brightness. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a Super AMOLED panel, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors than the likely IPS LCD panel on the Note 12i. This difference is crucial for media consumption and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer 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 are generally more refined. The A53 likely benefits from features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which the Note 12i likely lacks. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Note 12i is a common budget feature, but its utility is limited due to the small sensor size and lack of detail. The A53’s camera system is geared towards more versatile photography.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset represents a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency over the Infinix Note 12i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The Exynos 1280 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, offering better single-core performance for everyday tasks, while the Helio G85 relies on older Cortex-A75 cores. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos also translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both CPUs feature a 2x performance core + 6x efficiency core configuration, the A53’s cores are architecturally superior.

Battery Life

Both the Infinix Note 12i and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ. The Note 12i supports 33W wired charging, potentially offering faster top-ups than the A53’s 25W charging. Despite the faster charging, the A53’s more efficient Exynos 1280 chipset and optimized software contribute to comparable real-world battery performance, even with a potentially similar battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 12i if you need a phone primarily for mobile gaming and value affordability above all else. Its Helio G85 chipset offers decent performance for the price, and the 33W charging is a plus. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a more polished all-around experience with a brighter, more vibrant display, a more versatile camera system, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s software support and brand recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While some throttling can occur during extended, graphically demanding games, it's typically not severe enough to significantly impact gameplay. Samsung's software also includes thermal management features to mitigate overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Infinix Note 12i actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, 2MP macro cameras are often more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful tool. The small sensor size and fixed focus result in images lacking detail and sharpness. While you can take close-up photos, the quality will be significantly lower than those captured with the main camera.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G reliably maintain 60fps in demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings?
The Galaxy A53 5G can generally maintain 60fps in PUBG Mobile at high graphics settings, but you may experience occasional frame drops during intense firefights. Lowering the graphics settings to 'Balanced' or 'Smooth' will ensure a consistently smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Infinix Note 12i from 0% to 100% using the 33W charger?
With 33W charging, the Infinix Note 12i should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is faster than the Galaxy A53 5G's 25W charging, which typically takes around 80-90 minutes.