Infinix Note 6 vs. Oppo A9 (2020): Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

The Infinix Note 6 and Oppo A9 (2020) represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: MediaTek’s Helio P35 in the Infinix Note 6 versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A9 (2020). This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing overall efficiency and a smoother experience, the Oppo A9 (2020) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers superior performance and power management compared to the Infinix Note 6’s 12nm Helio P35, despite similar CPU core counts. The A9's 69-hour endurance rating further solidifies its advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Note 6 Oppo A9 (2020)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, June. Released 2019, June2019, September 10. Released 2019, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions154.2 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.07 x 2.93 x 0.30 in)163.6 x 75.6 x 9.1 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 Stylus-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.01 inches, 93.2 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 610
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, ColorOS 7.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.25", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm Auxiliary lens
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF 12 MP B/W, f/2.0, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF, Laser AF
Triple16 MP (wide), PDAF 8 MP (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-10W wired Reverse wired
Type4000 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Mocha Brown, Aqua BlueMarine Green, Space Purple, Vanilla Mint
ModelsX610CPH1937, CPH1939, CPH1941
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR-0.87 W/kg (head)     1.10 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.41 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 69h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- Voice 68dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 86dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 209779 (v7) GeekBench: 6629 (v4.4) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Note 6

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Adequate performance for basic tasks
  • Likely large battery capacity (though efficiency is lower)

  • Less efficient Helio P35 chipset
  • Potential for thermal throttling under load
  • Inferior image processing compared to Snapdragon

Oppo A9 (2020)

  • More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
  • Longer battery life (69h endurance)
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • 10W charging is relatively slow
  • Camera performance still limited by budget constraints

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifics regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are missing, but given their price points, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for this segment. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like HDR is expected.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are limited. However, the Oppo A9 (2020) likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to MediaTek’s ISP found in the Infinix Note 6. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the quality of the primary sensor and the effectiveness of software algorithms will be key differentiators. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't heavily influence purchasing decisions. The A9's ISP will likely deliver more consistent and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A9 (2020)'s Snapdragon 665, fabricated on an 11nm process, provides a significant advantage over the Infinix Note 6’s 12nm Helio P35. While both are octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (4x high-performance, 4x efficiency), the Snapdragon 665’s Kryo cores are architecturally more efficient. This translates to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling during prolonged use. The Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores, while capable, are older and less efficient. This impacts multitasking and gaming performance, where the Snapdragon 665 will demonstrably outperform the Helio P35.

Battery Life

The Oppo A9 (2020) claims an impressive endurance rating of 69 hours, a significant advantage over what is expected from the Infinix Note 6. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 665’s superior power efficiency plays a crucial role. The A9 also supports 10W wired charging and reverse wired charging, adding to its versatility. The Infinix Note 6’s battery life will likely be adequate for a full day of moderate use, but it won’t match the A9’s longevity. The 10W charging on the A9 is slow by modern standards, but the efficiency gains offset this limitation.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Note 6 if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are comfortable with a chipset that may show its age with demanding tasks. Buy the Oppo A9 (2020) if you value a more responsive user experience, better power efficiency, and a longer-lasting battery, even if it means spending slightly more upfront. The A9 is the better all-rounder for daily use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Oppo A9 (2020) handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio P35, which may struggle with consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. Expect some frame drops during intense action.
❓ Does the Oppo A9 (2020)'s reverse wired charging feature work with any device?
Yes, the Oppo A9 (2020)'s reverse wired charging feature is compatible with most devices that charge via USB-C or Micro-USB. However, the charging speed will be limited to 10W, so it's best suited for topping up smaller devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches, rather than fully charging another smartphone.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Helio P35 and Snapdragon 665 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 665 offers a snappier and more responsive experience when navigating the user interface, opening apps, and multitasking. While the Helio P35 can handle these tasks, it may exhibit occasional lag or stuttering, especially with multiple apps open.