The sub-£150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Samsung Galaxy M11 and the Infinix Smart 4c aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with Samsung leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform and Infinix opting for MediaTek’s Helio series. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M11 offers a slightly more refined experience thanks to its more efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset and potentially better software support. While the Infinix Smart 4c boasts a newer 12nm process, the quad-core configuration and lower overall performance make it less suitable for demanding tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, May 4 | 2019, November. Released 2019, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 76.3 x 9 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 167 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.57 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Metallic Blue, Violet | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Cosmic Purple |
| Models | SM-M115F, SM-M115F/DSN, SM-M115M, SM-M115M/DS | X653C |
| Price | About 110 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | £ 129.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 149.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 177.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M11
- More powerful Snapdragon 450 chipset
- Octa-core CPU for better multitasking
- Potentially better software support from Samsung
- Older 14nm fabrication process
- Limited camera capabilities
Infinix Smart 4c
- More modern 12nm fabrication process
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Lightweight and compact design (likely)
- Less powerful Helio A22 chipset
- Quad-core CPU limits multitasking
- Potentially less reliable software updates
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 infer that they are similar, aiming for a functional rather than immersive viewing experience. The absence of features like high refresh rates or HDR support is expected. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices focusing on basic image capture. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Infinix Smart 4c is largely a marketing tactic; its limited resolution will yield images of questionable quality. The Samsung Galaxy M11 likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image processing and dynamic range. Both phones will struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, an octa-core processor built on a 14nm process, offers a significant advantage in multi-tasking and overall responsiveness compared to the Infinix Smart 4c’s MediaTek Helio A22. While the Helio A22 benefits from a more modern 12nm fabrication process – theoretically improving efficiency – its quad-core architecture is a bottleneck. The Snapdragon 450’s Cortex-A53 cores, running at 1.8 GHz, will handle everyday tasks and light gaming more effectively. The M11’s available 3GB or 4GB of RAM further enhances its ability to keep more apps running in the background. The Helio A22’s performance will likely be limited to single app usage at a time.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, common for budget smartphones. The Samsung Galaxy M11 supports 15W wired charging, which is a moderate speed. The Infinix Smart 4c’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely to be similar or slower. While the Helio A22’s 12nm process *could* translate to slightly better battery life under light usage, the Snapdragon 450’s optimized power management and potentially more efficient software could offset this advantage during typical use. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M11 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, even for basic tasks, and value the Samsung brand reputation. It’s ideal for users who occasionally browse social media, stream videos, and take casual photos. Buy the Infinix Smart 4c if your primary need is a very basic, affordable smartphone for calls, texts, and minimal app usage, and you’re comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 4c struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Helio A22 chipset, while capable of running these apps, may exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when multitasking or using more demanding features within these applications. The limited RAM and processing power can quickly become a bottleneck.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M11 a good choice for mobile gaming?
The Snapdragon 450 is not a gaming powerhouse. While it can handle less demanding 2D games, it will struggle with graphically intensive 3D titles. Expect low frame rates and potential stuttering, even on low settings. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not for serious gamers.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on each device?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices, even budget models, compared to Infinix. Expect at least one major Android update for the Galaxy M11, potentially two. The Infinix Smart 4c may receive limited updates, primarily security patches.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M11 support fast charging?
The Samsung Galaxy M11 supports 15W wired charging, which is considered moderate for current standards. It's not 'fast charging' in the same league as 30W or 65W charging found on more expensive phones, but it's still faster than many other budget options.
