Umidigi A9 vs. Infinix Hot 10i: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The Umidigi A9 and Infinix Hot 10i represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The A9 prioritizes a streamlined experience, while the Hot 10i attempts to offer a bit more performance punch. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Infinix Hot 10i is the better choice. Its Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25, making it more capable for multitasking and gaming. The faster 18W charging is also a significant benefit, offsetting the likely similar battery capacity.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A9 Infinix Hot 10i
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212021, May 20
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 20
Body
Dimensions164 x 77.1 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)164.3 x 76 x 9.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g (7.20 oz)-
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G25 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769V Helio G70 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 11Android 11, XOS 7.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 3GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaQuad-LED flash
Single-5 MP, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)5 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fpsUnspecified
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LEYes
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
Type5150 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGranite Grey, Sky Blue, Peacock GreenBlack, Purple, Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean
Models-X659B, PR652B, X658E, PR652C, X658B, X659
Price-About 100 EUR

Umidigi A9

  • Potentially simpler software experience.
  • May be more readily available in certain regions.
  • Likely lower price point (depending on retailer).

  • Significantly weaker performance due to Helio G25.
  • Slower 10W charging.
  • Less capable camera processing.

Infinix Hot 10i

  • More powerful Helio G70 chipset for better performance.
  • Faster 18W wired charging.
  • Improved camera processing capabilities.

  • Software may include more bloatware.
  • Potentially slightly higher price.

Display Comparison

Neither Umidigi nor Infinix provide display specifications beyond size. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. However, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly. The more powerful GPU in the Hot 10i’s Helio G70 will likely translate to slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even if the resolution and refresh rate are identical. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this segment.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards social media sharing. The focus should be on the image signal processor (ISP) within each chipset. The Helio G70’s ISP is more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. While both likely include a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor, the image quality from the Hot 10i will likely be superior due to the chipset’s processing capabilities. Any 2MP macro cameras included should be considered marketing features rather than genuinely useful.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Hot 10i’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) is a significant step up from the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25 (12nm). The G70 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz, while the A9 has four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz. The A75 cores in the G70 offer substantially better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The G70 also boasts a more capable Mali-G52 MC2 GPU versus the G25’s Mali-G31 MP2, resulting in a more enjoyable gaming experience. While both use the same 12nm process, the architectural improvements in the G70 provide a clear advantage.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Infinix Hot 10i’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Umidigi A9’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. Even if the A9 has a slightly larger battery, the Hot 10i’s faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience. Expect the Hot 10i to go from 0-100% in considerably less time than the A9.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A9 if you prioritize simplicity and a minimal software experience, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Infinix Hot 10i if you want a phone that can handle more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means a potentially more cluttered software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Infinix Hot 10i struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
No, the Helio G70 chipset in the Infinix Hot 10i is more than capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and browsing. While it won't offer flagship-level performance, it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical smartphone usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Umidigi A9 painfully slow?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Infinix Hot 10i’s 18W charging, especially if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery.
❓ Can the Infinix Hot 10i handle basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Infinix Hot 10i can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. The Helio G70’s GPU is sufficient for casual gaming, but don’t expect a high-end gaming experience.
❓ Does the Umidigi A9 have a lot of bloatware pre-installed?
Umidigi generally ships their phones with a relatively clean software experience, meaning less pre-installed bloatware compared to some other brands like Infinix. However, some pre-installed apps are still likely.