Umidigi F3S vs. Infinix Note 12i 2022: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi F3S and the Infinix Note 12i 2022 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches, particularly in chipset choice and charging technology, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious consumers.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and slightly better overall performance, the Infinix Note 12i 2022 is the stronger choice. Its Helio G85 chipset offers a modest performance edge, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Umidigi F3S’s 10W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names	Umidigi F3S	Infinix Note 12i 2022

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41

Launch
Announced	2022	2022, September 30
Status	Available. Released 2022	Available. Released 2022, September 30

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)	164.5 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	195 g (6.88 oz)	188 g (6.63 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	AMOLED, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Unisoc T610 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 MP2	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 11	Android 12, XOS 10.6

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama	Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	-	8 MP
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lenses
Video	1080p@30fps	1440p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	8 MP
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with dual speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	Yes
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS	GPS
Radio	Wireless FM radio	FM radio
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	10W wired	33W wired
Type	5150 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Hawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy Blue	Force Black, Alpine White, Metaverse Blue
Models	-	X677
Price	-	About 150 EUR

Umidigi F3S

Potentially better battery efficiency with Unisoc T610
Lower price point (likely)
Simple, straightforward Android experience

Extremely slow 10W charging
Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks
Likely limited camera performance

Infinix Note 12i 2022

Faster 33W wired charging
Slightly more powerful Helio G85 chipset
More responsive user experience

Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
May be slightly more expensive
Software bloatware (typical of Infinix)

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power draw. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The lack of information prevents a detailed analysis of color accuracy or brightness, but both likely target the standard IPS LCD experience common in this price bracket. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary sensors (often 2MP macro/depth lenses of limited utility). The image processing capabilities of both MediaTek and Unisoc are adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and reduced detail in low-light scenarios. The absence of OIS on either device means image stabilization relies solely on software algorithms.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 12i 2022’s MediaTek Helio G85 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) has a slight clock speed advantage over the Umidigi F3S’s Unisoc T610 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to a marginally faster experience in app loading and multitasking. While both utilize the same Cortex-A75/A55 architecture, the G85’s higher clock speed provides a small boost. However, the Unisoc T610 is known for its efficiency, potentially leading to better battery life under sustained loads. Neither chipset is designed for demanding gaming, but the G85 will likely handle lighter titles more smoothly.

Battery Life

The Infinix Note 12i 2022’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage. This allows for a much faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Umidigi F3S’s slow 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day will greatly benefit from the Infinix’s charging capabilities. The Unisoc T610’s efficiency might allow the F3S to stretch a full charge slightly further, but the convenience of rapid charging often outweighs this benefit.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi F3S if you prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery due to the more efficient Unisoc T610 and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Infinix Note 12i 2022 if you value faster charging, a slightly more responsive user experience for everyday tasks, and don't mind potentially slightly reduced battery life in exchange for quicker power replenishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Infinix Note 12i 2022 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

While the Helio G85 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's generally well-behaved. Overheating is unlikely during moderate gaming, but extended sessions with graphically intensive titles may lead to some thermal throttling. The phone's thermal design will play a role, but it's unlikely to reach dangerously high temperatures.

❓ Is the 10W charging on the Umidigi F3S realistically usable in 2024?

10W charging is significantly slower than modern standards. Expect a full charge to take well over 3 hours, making it inconvenient for users accustomed to fast charging. It's best suited for overnight charging or infrequent top-ups.

❓ Does the Infinix Note 12i 2022 come with a lot of pre-installed bloatware?

Infinix phones are known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). While the amount varies, users should expect to find several third-party apps pre-loaded. Fortunately, many of these can be uninstalled, freeing up storage space and improving the user experience.

❓ How does the Unisoc T610 compare to the Helio G85 in terms of everyday app performance?

For typical tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference in performance between the Unisoc T610 and Helio G85 will be minimal. The Helio G85 has a slight edge, resulting in slightly faster app launch times and smoother multitasking, but the difference won't be dramatically noticeable.