Xiaomi 12 Lite vs. Infinix Zero 20: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Zero 20 and Xiaomi 12 Lite represent compelling options for users seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on performance, display quality, charging speeds, and overall value to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 12 Lite is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset delivers noticeably better performance than the Helio G99 in the Infinix Zero 20, making it more capable for demanding tasks and gaming. While the Zero 20 offers competitive 45W charging, the 12 Lite’s 67W charging and comparable battery life provide a more convenient experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Zero 20 Xiaomi 12 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, October 052022, July 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 02Available. Released 2022, July 11
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.4 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90HzAMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G99 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 12, XOS 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single60 MP, (wide), AF, OIS32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Triple108 MP, (wide), PDAF 13 MP, AF 2 MP108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRHDR, panorama
Single60 MP, (wide), AF, OIS32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Video1440p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging45W wired, 75% in 30 min67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Gray, Glitter Gold, Green FantasyBlack, Lite Green, Lite Pink
ModelsX68212203129G
PriceAbout 200 EUR€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Zero 20

  • Competitive price point
  • Decent 45W fast charging
  • Solid all-around performance for everyday tasks

  • Helio G99 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 778G
  • Display brightness likely lower than Xiaomi 12 Lite

Xiaomi 12 Lite

  • Faster Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
  • 67W fast charging with PD3.0/QC4
  • Higher peak display brightness

  • Slightly higher price compared to Infinix Zero 20
  • May not offer significantly better battery life despite faster charging

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts a measured peak brightness of 824 nits, a significant advantage over the unstated brightness of the Infinix Zero 20. While both feature infinite (nominal) contrast ratios, the 12 Lite’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Details regarding panel technology (AMOLED vs IPS) and refresh rate are missing for the Zero 20, but the 12 Lite’s display is likely superior due to its brightness and established quality. The absence of refresh rate information for the Zero 20 suggests a standard 60Hz panel, further favoring the 12 Lite if it supports a higher refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are advertised with photo/video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Infinix Zero 20. The Xiaomi 12 Lite likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 778G. While megapixel counts aren’t specified, the 12 Lite’s brand reputation suggests a focus on image quality and features like optical image stabilization (OIS), which is absent in the Zero 20’s specifications. The Zero 20’s camera system is likely geared towards general-purpose photography, while the 12 Lite aims for a more refined and versatile experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) features a Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 2.4 GHz, alongside three additional A78 cores at 2.2 GHz, and four efficiency cores. This configuration provides a substantial performance uplift compared to the Infinix Zero 20’s MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm), which utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Snapdragon 778G’s more powerful core architecture and higher clock speeds result in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 12 Lite also benefits from potentially faster RAM (LPDDR5 vs. the likely LPDDR4X in the Zero 20), further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Xiaomi 12 Lite supports 67W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, achieving a 50% charge in just 13 minutes. The Infinix Zero 20’s 45W charging, while respectable, takes longer to reach similar charge levels (75% in 30 minutes). This faster charging capability gives the 12 Lite a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Zero 20 if you prioritize a balance of features and affordability, and aren't heavily reliant on intensive gaming or consistently demanding applications. It's a solid all-rounder for everyday use. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Lite if you value smoother performance, faster charging, and a more refined user experience, even if it means spending slightly more. It’s ideal for users who multitask frequently or enjoy mobile gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Helio G99 in the Infinix Zero 20 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
While the Helio G99 can run these games, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 778G in the Xiaomi 12 Lite offers a significantly better gaming experience with higher and more stable frame rates at higher settings.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Xiaomi 12 Lite compare to the 45W charging on the Infinix Zero 20 in real-world usage?
The Xiaomi 12 Lite’s 67W charging is noticeably faster. It can reach 50% charge in just 13 minutes, while the Zero 20 takes 30 minutes to reach 75%. This means less time tethered to a charger, especially beneficial for users who frequently need quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 12 Lite support 5G connectivity, and is it a significant advantage over the Infinix Zero 20?
Yes, the Xiaomi 12 Lite’s Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset supports 5G connectivity. While 5G availability varies by region, it offers significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G, making it a worthwhile feature for users in areas with 5G coverage. The Zero 20's 5G support is not explicitly stated, but likely limited.