Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise too much? The Infinix Note 7 Lite and Hot 9 Play are popular contenders. But which one offers the best value for your money? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Note 7 Lite takes the win thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G70 chipset, offering noticeably better performance for gaming and multitasking. While the Hot 9 Play boasts a reverse wired charging feature, the Note 7 Lite's superior processing power makes it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July | 2020, April 09. Released 2020, April 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 171.8 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.76 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 - 32/2GBOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) - 32/2GBMediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8300PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) - 32/2GBAndroid 9.0 (Pie) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 750 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 25 h |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Violet, Space Gray | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave |
| Models | X656 | X680, X680B, X680C |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
Infinix Note 7 Lite
- Superior Performance (Helio G70)
- Larger Display
- Better Camera System
- More Detailed Photos
- No Reverse Wired Charging
- Slightly Higher Price
Infinix Hot 9 Play
- Reverse Wired Charging
- More Affordable
- Long Battery Life
- Weaker Performance (Helio A22/A25)
- Less Detailed Photos
- Smaller Display
Display Comparison
The Note 7 Lite typically features a larger 6.6-inch display compared to the Hot 9 Play's 6.52-inch screen. Both offer HD+ resolution, but the Note 7 Lite's slightly larger size can provide a more immersive viewing experience. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels on both devices.
Camera Comparison
The Note 7 Lite generally has a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially additional lenses like a macro or depth sensor. While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, the Note 7 Lite tends to produce sharper and more detailed photos. Low-light performance is likely to be better on the Note 7 Lite as well.
Performance
This is where the Note 7 Lite truly shines. The Helio G70 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Hot 9 Play's Helio A22 or A25. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the Note 7 Lite. The Hot 9 Play will handle basic tasks adequately, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a large 5000mAh battery, offering excellent battery life. The Hot 9 Play includes reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices, a feature absent in the Note 7 Lite. However, the Note 7 Lite's more efficient chipset might slightly offset this advantage.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Note 7 Lite is ideal for users who prioritize performance, enjoy mobile gaming, or need a phone that can handle demanding apps. The Infinix Hot 9 Play is a great option for those on a tighter budget who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Note 7 Lite worth the extra money?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The Note 7 Lite's Helio G70 chipset provides a significant upgrade over the Hot 9 Play, making it a better choice for gaming and multitasking.
❓ Can the Infinix Hot 9 Play handle social media and basic apps?
Yes, the Hot 9 Play is perfectly capable of handling social media, browsing, and other basic tasks. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps or games.
