The Infinix S5 and Nokia 7.2 represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid Android experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal. The Infinix S5 prioritizes a large display and a focus on basic functionality, while the Nokia 7.2 leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 chipset and a more refined software experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth performance and a more polished experience, the Nokia 7.2 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 660 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Infinix S5’s Helio P22, making it more capable for multitasking and demanding applications. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Nokia 7.2’s superior processing power justifies its slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 102.1 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| 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, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | X652 | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5
- Potentially lower price point
- Large display size (assumed)
- Acceptable battery life
- Weak processor performance
- Likely limited software updates
- Inferior gaming capabilities
Nokia 7.2
- Superior processor performance (Snapdragon 660)
- Better software experience and update support (Nokia)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slightly higher price
- Slow 10W charging
- May not have the largest display
Display Comparison
The Nokia 7.2 boasts a brighter display, measured at 585 nits, compared to the Infinix S5 (brightness data unavailable). This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share a 1342:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the absence of information regarding the Infinix S5’s panel technology (LCD vs. AMOLED) and refresh rate leaves the Nokia 7.2 as the clear winner in terms of display quality, given its measured brightness and likely superior color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Nokia’s historical emphasis on camera quality, it’s reasonable to assume the Nokia 7.2’s camera system is more refined. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Nokia 7.2, if present, would further enhance its low-light photography capabilities. The Infinix S5 likely relies on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Nokia 7.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) is a significantly more powerful processor than the Infinix S5’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 660 utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture with a combination of performance (2.2 GHz) and efficiency (1.8 GHz) cores, offering a more balanced and responsive experience. The Helio P22, with its all-Cortex-A53 core design at 2.0 GHz, is geared towards efficiency but struggles with demanding tasks. This translates to noticeable lag and slower app loading times on the Infinix S5, especially when multitasking. The Snapdragon 660 also benefits from a more capable Adreno GPU, providing a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix S5 and Nokia 7.2 achieve an endurance rating of 69 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nokia 7.2’s more efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset may contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially during intensive tasks. Both phones support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 if you need a large screen for media consumption and prioritize affordability above all else. It’s a suitable option for users with very basic smartphone needs – calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, better performance for gaming and multitasking, and a more reliable software update path. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can handle a wider range of tasks without feeling sluggish.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix S5 struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
The Helio P22 chipset in the Infinix S5 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, but you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods. The Nokia 7.2’s Snapdragon 660 will provide a much smoother experience with these apps.
❓ Is the Nokia 7.2 a good option for playing mobile games?
The Nokia 7.2 is significantly better suited for mobile gaming than the Infinix S5. The Snapdragon 660’s Adreno GPU offers a noticeable performance boost, allowing you to play most games at medium settings without significant frame drops. The Infinix S5’s Helio P22 will struggle with graphically demanding games.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge both phones?
Both phones support 10W charging, which is relatively slow. Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours from 0% to 100%, depending on the charger and usage during charging.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Nokia is known for providing timely software updates and security patches, even for its budget devices. The Infinix S5 is less likely to receive frequent updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks and missing out on new features.
