The Infinix S5 Lite and Nokia 5.3 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects the differences between the MediaTek Helio P22-powered Infinix S5 Lite and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665-equipped Nokia 5.3, focusing on real-world performance implications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 5.3 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset, fabricated on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and improved efficiency over the Infinix S5 Lite’s Helio P22. While the S5 Lite may offer a slightly lower initial price, the Nokia 5.3’s smoother experience justifies the potential cost difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2020, March 19. Released 2020, April 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), XOS 5.5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP
AI Lens (low light sensor) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight black, Quetzal cyan, Violet | Cyan, Sand, Charcoal |
| Models | X652B, X652C | TA-1234, TA-1223, TA-1227, TA-1229 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Infinix S5 lite
- Potentially lower initial price point.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Nokia 5.3.
- Less efficient chipset leading to potentially shorter battery life.
- Inferior camera image processing.
Nokia 5.3
- Superior performance thanks to the Snapdragon 665.
- More efficient chipset for better battery life.
- Improved camera image processing capabilities.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Infinix S5 Lite.
- 10W charging is relatively slow.
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the core difference lies beneath the surface. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the Nokia 5.3 benefits from Qualcomm’s display optimization within the Snapdragon 665, potentially leading to slightly better color accuracy and responsiveness. The absence of high refresh rate support on either device is expected, but the Nokia 5.3’s chipset may offer better image processing for video playback.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. However, the Nokia 5.3 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 665, offering superior image processing capabilities compared to the Helio P22’s ISP. While both phones likely feature a primary camera and multiple secondary sensors (often of limited utility), the Nokia 5.3’s ISP will likely deliver better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Infinix S5 Lite’s camera system is likely more focused on basic image capture.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Nokia 5.3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Infinix S5 Lite’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 665 employs a Kryo CPU architecture with a mix of performance (Gold) and efficiency (Silver) cores – a design absent in the Helio P22’s homogenous Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and better sustained performance under load. The 11nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 665 also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon 665’s core design and manufacturing process provide a clear advantage.
Battery Life
The Nokia 5.3 includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this segment. Without specific battery capacities for both devices, we can analyze based on chipset efficiency. The Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process is more power-efficient than the Helio P22’s 12nm process. This means the Nokia 5.3 will likely achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar or even slightly smaller battery capacity. The 10W charging on the Nokia 5.3 will provide a reasonable, though not rapid, recharge time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Lite if your primary need is a very low entry price and basic smartphone functionality – checking social media, light messaging, and occasional web browsing. It’s suitable for first-time smartphone users or as a secondary device. Buy the Nokia 5.3 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, smoother multitasking, and a chipset capable of handling moderately demanding apps and games. It’s the better option for users who want a phone that will remain usable for a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Nokia 5.3 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 665 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Helio P22 in the Infinix S5 Lite, which may struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Snapdragon 665 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Snapdragon 665 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when navigating the user interface, opening apps, and multitasking. The Helio P22 can feel sluggish, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Does the Nokia 5.3 support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge?
The Nokia 5.3 supports 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow. A full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the charger and usage during charging.
❓ How does the camera on the Nokia 5.3 perform in low-light conditions compared to the Infinix S5 Lite?
The Nokia 5.3’s camera, powered by the Snapdragon 665’s ISP, will perform significantly better in low-light conditions. It will capture brighter, clearer images with less noise compared to the Infinix S5 Lite, which will likely produce grainy and underexposed photos.
