The Infinix Note series has long been a go-to for budget-conscious smartphone users seeking a blend of features and affordability. Today, we're pitting the older Infinix Note 7 against the newer Infinix Note 12 (2023) to see which offers the best value for your money. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Note 12 (2023) is the clear winner. Its more efficient chipset, faster charging, and likely improved camera performance make it a worthwhile upgrade. While the Note 7 remains a decent budget option, the Note 12 offers a significantly better overall experience.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 06. Released 2020, July | 2022, October 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, October 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.4 x 79 x 8.8 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~258 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
2 MP, f/1.8, (dedicated video camera) - 128/6 model only
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Forest Green, Aether Black, Bolivia Blue | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White |
| Models | X690B, X690 | X676C |
| Price | - | About 220 EUR |
Infinix Note 7
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Outdated Chipset
- Slow Charging
- Lower Screen Quality
- Less Powerful Camera
Infinix Note 12 (2023)
- Faster Performance
- FHD+ AMOLED Display
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Improved Camera
- More Efficient Chipset
- Slightly Higher Price
- May lack some features of higher-end phones
Display Comparison
The Infinix Note 7 features a 6.53-inch HD+ display, while the Note 12 (2023) boasts a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display. The Note 12's AMOLED panel offers significantly better contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles, making it a superior choice for media consumption and gaming. The FHD+ resolution also provides a sharper image.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer a quad-camera setup, the Note 12 (2023) is expected to have improved image processing and sensor technology. Expect better low-light performance, more detailed photos, and potentially improved video recording capabilities on the Note 12. Specific megapixel counts may be similar, but the image quality should be noticeably better.
Performance
The Note 12 (2023)'s Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a 6nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Note 7's Helio G70 (12nm). This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The G99's efficiency also contributes to better battery life.
Battery Life
Both phones feature large batteries (likely around 5000mAh). However, the Note 12 (2023)'s 33W fast charging is a significant advantage over the Note 7's 18W charging, allowing for much quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Infinix Note 7? Those on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a large screen and basic functionality. Who should buy the Infinix Note 12 (2023)? Anyone looking for a smoother, faster, and more modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Infinix Note 12 (2023) worth the upgrade from the Note 7?
Yes, the Note 12 (2023) offers significant improvements in performance, display quality, and charging speed, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ What is the difference in chipset between the two phones?
The Note 7 uses a Mediatek Helio G70 (12nm), while the Note 12 (2023) uses a Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm). The G99 is significantly more powerful and efficient.
