The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Lava Blaze 2 and the Infinix Hot 30i. Both promise a lot at an affordable price, but which one truly delivers? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lava Blaze 2 edges out the Infinix Hot 30i thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better overall performance. While both offer solid value, the Blaze 2's CPU provides a noticeable advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming. However, Infinix often excels in software features and design.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 10 | 2023, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 18 | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.6 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Black, Glass Orange | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | LZX409 | X669, X669D |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
Lava Blaze 2
- Slightly more powerful chipset (T616)
- Potentially better performance
- Competitive price
- May lack some software features of Infinix
- Design might be less appealing to some
- Camera performance can vary
Infinix Hot 30i
- Stylish design
- Potentially better software features and updates
- Good value for money
- Optimized for media consumption
- Less powerful chipset (T606)
- Performance may be slightly slower
- Aggressive image processing in camera
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with a resolution of 720+ (HD+). Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point. The Blaze 2 *might* have slightly better brightness, but this is speculative without official data. Consider screen protection (Gorilla Glass or similar) as a key factor – check reviews for confirmation.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Expect a primary 50MP camera on both, potentially with additional macro and depth sensors. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Review sample photos and videos from both devices to assess which produces more appealing results in different lighting conditions. Infinix often has a reputation for aggressive image processing.
Performance
This is where the Lava Blaze 2 has a clear advantage. The Unisoc Tiger T616 boasts a higher clocked Cortex-A75 core (2.0 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) and a slightly more powerful overall architecture compared to the T606 in the Infinix Hot 30i. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and potentially better gaming performance. However, both will struggle with demanding games at high settings.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging and likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on either device. Charging speed is adequate but not exceptional.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze 2 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a smoother experience with basic apps and light multitasking. The Infinix Hot 30i is a good choice for those who value a stylish design, potentially better software features (depending on updates), and a slightly more optimized experience for media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Lava Blaze 2 is likely the better choice for gaming due to its slightly more powerful chipset. However, don't expect high-end gaming performance from either device.
❓ Does either phone have 5G connectivity?
Neither the Lava Blaze 2 nor the Infinix Hot 30i support 5G. They are both 4G LTE devices.
❓ What is the software experience like on each phone?
Infinix often includes more software features and customizations, while Lava's software is generally cleaner but may lack some of the extra bells and whistles. Software updates are a key consideration – check Infinix's track record for timely updates.