The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Infinix Smart 5 Pro and the Nokia 4.2. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 4.2 edges out the Infinix Smart 5 Pro thanks to its more efficient chipset and generally smoother performance. While the Infinix offers a larger battery, the Nokia's superior processor and cleaner Android experience make it the slightly better 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 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA, APAC, MENA |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 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, 41, 40, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 17 | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, May 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 17 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 149 x 71.3 x 8.4 mm (5.87 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean | Black, Pink Sand |
| Models | - | TA-1184, TA-1133, TA-1149, TA-1150, TA-1157, TA-1152 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Large Display
- Long Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Less Powerful Processor
- Older Chipset
- Potentially Slower Performance
Nokia 4.2
- Smoother Performance
- Efficient Chipset
- Clean Android Experience
- Better Image Processing
- Smaller Battery
- Less Immersive Display (slightly)
- Potentially Higher Price
Display Comparison
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro boasts a larger 6.6-inch display, potentially offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Nokia 4.2 features a 6.3-inch display. Both utilize HD+ resolution, so pixel density isn't a major differentiator. Expect adequate, but not exceptional, visual quality on both.
Camera Comparison
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro typically features a triple camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), while the Nokia 4.2 usually has a dual camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth). While megapixels aren't everything, the Nokia's superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance give it a slight edge. Both phones offer decent image quality for casual photography.
Performance
Here's where the Nokia 4.2 takes a clear lead. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 chipset, built on a more modern 12nm process, is significantly more efficient than the Infinix's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive feel on the Nokia 4.2. The Infinix will likely struggle with demanding apps and heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro generally packs a larger battery (typically 5000mAh), offering potentially longer battery life than the Nokia 4.2 (typically 3500mAh). However, the Nokia's more efficient chipset can help offset this difference, resulting in comparable real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing maximum battery life and a larger display on a tight budget. The Nokia 4.2 is a better fit for those who value a smoother user experience, cleaner software, and slightly better performance, even if it means a smaller battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Nokia 4.2 is likely to receive longer software updates and security patches due to Nokia's commitment to Android One, ensuring a cleaner and more secure experience.
❓ Is the Infinix Smart 5 Pro good for gaming?
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro's processor isn't ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and reduced frame rates. The Nokia 4.2 offers slightly better gaming performance, but still isn't a gaming powerhouse.
