Looking for an affordable smartphone that delivers? Infinix is a popular choice, and the Smart 6 and Hot 12 Play are two compelling options. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 12 Play generally edges out the Smart 6 thanks to its more powerful chipset (Helio G37), slightly better performance, and often a larger battery. While both are budget-friendly, the Hot 12 Play provides a more satisfying user experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 26 | 2022, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 26 | Available. Released 2022, May 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.4 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - X6816Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - X6816C |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) - X6816Unisoc T610 (12 nm) - X6816C |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 - X6816Mali-G52 MP2 - X6816C |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 | Android 11, XOS 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Ocean Blue, Light Sea Green, Polar Black | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold |
| Models | X6511B, X6511, X6511E | X6816C, X6816 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 60 EUR |
Infinix Smart 6
- Simple and easy to use
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Large display for media consumption
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Basic camera performance
- Limited features
Infinix Hot 12 Play
- Better performance than Smart 6
- Larger battery capacity
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- More features
- Still a budget phone with limitations
- Slow charging
- Camera quality is average
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones typically feature large 6.6-inch HD+ displays, offering decent viewing angles for media consumption. However, the Hot 12 Play often boasts a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs. 60Hz on the Smart 6), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Color accuracy is generally acceptable for the price range on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is similar on both, with typical budget phone limitations. Both usually feature a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. The Hot 12 Play might offer slightly better image processing and low-light performance due to its more powerful chipset. Video recording capabilities are basic on both.
Performance
The Hot 12 Play's Mediatek Helio G37 (or Unisoc T610 depending on the variant) provides a noticeable performance boost over the Smart 6's Unisoc SC9863A. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better responsiveness on the Hot 12 Play. The Smart 6 is adequate for basic tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Hot 12 Play often includes a larger battery (typically 6000mAh) compared to the Smart 6 (typically 5000mAh), translating to longer battery life. Both support 10W charging, which is relatively slow, but the larger battery capacity on the Hot 12 Play means you'll spend less time plugged in.
Buying Guide
The Infinix Smart 6 is ideal for users prioritizing simplicity and basic functionality. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone users or those needing a secondary device for calls and messaging. The Infinix Hot 12 Play is better suited for users who want a bit more performance for light gaming, social media, and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9863A and the Mediatek Helio G37?
The Mediatek Helio G37 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Unisoc SC9863A, offering better performance for gaming and multitasking.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
The Infinix Smart 6 typically lasts a full day with moderate usage, while the Infinix Hot 12 Play can often last a day and a half or even two days with similar usage due to its larger battery.
