The Infinix S5 Lite and Tecno Camon 12 Air represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point. However, subtle differences in their core hardware, particularly the chipset, dictate which phone offers a better experience for specific user needs. This comparison dives deep into those differences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix S5 Lite emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P22 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Camon 12 Air’s quad-core Helio A22, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both phones target the budget segment, the S5 Lite offers more processing power for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| 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 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2019, October. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), XOS 5.5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSD |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP
AI Lens (low light sensor) | 16 MP, PDAF
5 MP
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 4000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight black, Quetzal cyan, Violet | Ocean Blue, Alpenglow Gold, Stellar Purple |
| Models | X652B, X652C | - |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
Infinix S5 lite
- More powerful octa-core processor for smoother performance
- Potentially better image processing with Helio P22 ISP
- Likely more efficient power consumption
- May be slightly more expensive than the Camon 12 Air
- Display specifications are unknown
Tecno Camon 12 Air
- Likely the more affordable option
- Simple and reliable for basic tasks
- Suitable for first-time smartphone users
- Quad-core processor may struggle with multitasking
- Potentially slower app loading times
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The absence of detailed display specifications necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset, like the P22 in the S5 Lite, can mitigate the perception of a lower-quality display by ensuring faster rendering of graphics and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio P22 of the S5 Lite *may* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in marginally improved photo quality in good lighting conditions. The absence of OIS or advanced features suggests that camera performance will be heavily reliant on software processing and ambient light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Infinix S5 Lite utilizes the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22, an octa-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz, while the Tecno Camon 12 Air features the Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22, a quad-core processor also clocked at 2.0 GHz. While clock speeds are identical, the octa-core architecture of the P22 allows for more efficient multitasking and handling of complex applications. The P22’s architecture provides a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks, meaning apps that can utilize multiple cores will run noticeably faster on the S5 Lite. This translates to quicker app launches and a more responsive user experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the more efficient Helio P22 in the Infinix S5 Lite, coupled with its potentially optimized software, could translate to slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery to the Tecno Camon 12 Air. Charging wattage is also unknown, so 0-100% times are difficult to estimate, but the P22’s efficiency could contribute to faster overall charging cycles.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 Lite if you prioritize responsiveness and smoother performance for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or need a phone that won’t struggle with basic multitasking. Buy the Tecno Camon 12 Air if your primary focus is on a simple, reliable device for calls, messaging, and very light usage. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on an extremely tight budget who don’t require demanding performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix S5 Lite handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Helio P22 chipset in the Infinix S5 Lite is more than capable of running popular social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. The octa-core processor provides sufficient processing power for these everyday tasks, ensuring a responsive user experience.
❓ Is the Tecno Camon 12 Air suitable for playing mobile games?
The Tecno Camon 12 Air is only suitable for very light gaming. The Helio A22’s quad-core processor may struggle with more demanding games, resulting in low frame rates and lag. It’s best suited for simple, 2D games rather than graphically intensive titles.
❓ Can I expect noticeable lag when switching between apps on the Tecno Camon 12 Air?
Yes, you can likely expect some lag when switching between multiple apps on the Tecno Camon 12 Air. The quad-core Helio A22 processor has limited multitasking capabilities, which can lead to slower app switching and a less fluid user experience.
