The Oppo A12 and Infinix Hot 9 Play represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Oppo A12 leans on a slightly more powerful, though older, chipset, while the Infinix Hot 9 Play offers variations with newer silicon and a focus on reverse charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A12 offers a more consistent experience thanks to its Helio P35 chipset. While the Infinix Hot 9 Play with the Helio A25 can match it in some tasks, the A12’s octa-core CPU provides a smoother overall performance, especially when multitasking. The Hot 9 Play’s reverse charging is a niche feature, but doesn’t outweigh the A12’s performance advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 20. Released 2020, April 20 | 2020, April 09. Released 2020, April 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 171.8 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.76 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 - 32/2GBOcta-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) - 32/2GBMediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8300PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) - 32/2GBAndroid 9.0 (Pie) - 32/3GB, 64/3-4GB |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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
Reverse wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 750 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 25 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave |
| Models | CPH2083, CPH2077 | X680, X680B, X680C |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | $ 519.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 539.00 | - |
Oppo A12
- More powerful Helio P35 chipset for smoother performance.
- Octa-core CPU handles multitasking better.
- Potentially better image processing due to the chipset.
- Lacks reverse charging functionality.
- RAM options are limited to 3GB/4GB.
Infinix Hot 9 Play
- Unique reverse wired charging feature.
- Available with up to 4GB of RAM.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Helio A22/A25 chipsets are less powerful than the P35.
- Performance may be sluggish with 2GB of RAM.
- Camera quality likely similar to Oppo A12, but with limited benefit from 2MP macro lens.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – around 720p+ and moderate brightness levels. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar and unremarkable on both devices. Details are sparse, but both will likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The emphasis is on basic photography, and image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Hot 9 Play is unlikely to provide significant benefit due to its low resolution and limited optics. The Oppo A12’s camera system, while not specified in detail, benefits from the more capable processor for image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A12’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) is an octa-core processor with a configuration of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. This provides a more robust multi-core performance compared to the Infinix Hot 9 Play’s options. The Hot 9 Play comes with either the Helio A22 (quad-core, 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) or the Helio A25 (octa-core, 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). The A25 is a step up from the A22, but still falls short of the P35 in sustained performance. The A12’s octa-core configuration will handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps more efficiently. RAM options (3GB/4GB for Oppo, 2GB/3GB/4GB for Infinix) further impact performance; a 4GB configuration on either device is highly recommended for a smoother experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both likely house around 5000mAh batteries, standard for this segment. The Infinix Hot 9 Play distinguishes itself with 10W wired charging *and* reverse wired charging. This allows it to function as a power bank for other devices, a unique feature. However, 10W charging is slow, and the Oppo A12’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely similar. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A12 if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. It’s the better choice for users who want a reliable experience without significant lag. Buy the Infinix Hot 9 Play if you frequently need to charge other devices wirelessly (using the reverse wired charging feature) and are willing to accept potentially lower performance in demanding applications. It’s also a good option if you find a configuration with 4GB of RAM at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 9 Play with the Helio A22 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Helio A22 is a basic processor, and while it can handle lightweight apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience some lag when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. Opting for the Helio A25 version or a model with 3GB or 4GB of RAM is highly recommended for a smoother experience.
❓ How useful is the reverse charging feature on the Infinix Hot 9 Play in real-world scenarios?
The reverse charging feature is a niche but potentially useful addition. It's best suited for emergency situations where you need to provide a small charge to a friend's phone or a Bluetooth accessory. However, the 10W charging speed is slow, so don't expect to fully charge another device quickly. It's more of a convenience feature than a primary charging solution.
❓ Is the 3GB of RAM in the base Oppo A12 sufficient for everyday use?
3GB of RAM is the bare minimum for a modern Android experience. While it will handle basic tasks like browsing and social media, you may encounter slowdowns when switching between apps or running multiple applications simultaneously. Upgrading to the 4GB RAM version of the Oppo A12 is strongly recommended for a more fluid user experience.
