The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y3 represents a baseline offering focused on affordability, while the Infinix Note 12 Pro aims to deliver a more compelling experience with a focus on performance and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and convenience, the Infinix Note 12 Pro is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the vivo Y3’s Helio P35 and 18W charging, offering a smoother user experience and quicker top-ups. However, the Y3 remains a viable option for extremely budget-conscious buyers.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2022, July 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 76.5 x 7.8 mm (6.47 x 3.01 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Peacock blue, Peach powder (pink), Ink blue | Volcanic Grey, Tuscany Blue, Alpine White |
| Models | - | X676B |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 420 EUR |
vivo Y3
- Extremely affordable price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Potentially longer battery life due to conservative chipset
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Infinix Note 12 Pro
- Faster and more efficient Helio G99 chipset
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- Improved performance for gaming and multitasking
- Slightly higher price compared to the vivo Y3
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
- Potential for more bloatware (typical of Infinix)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. Both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point. The more powerful GPU in the Infinix Note 12 Pro will contribute to smoother animations and potentially better rendering of visual content, even if the raw panel specs are similar. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in everyday scenarios, but the Infinix Note 12 Pro has the potential for better image quality due to its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Helio G99. While specific sensor details are missing, the G99’s ISP allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. It's crucial to note that the prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) in this price range means focusing on the main sensor's capabilities is key. The Y3's camera will likely be serviceable for casual snapshots, but the Note 12 Pro offers a more capable imaging experience.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Infinix Note 12 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y3’s Helio P35 (12nm). The G99 features newer Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) compared to the Y3’s older Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz). This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks and a more noticeable improvement in real-world application loading times and multitasking. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Y3’s P35 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones will likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Infinix Note 12 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the vivo Y3’s 18W charging. While the Y3 might have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the faster charging of the Note 12 Pro minimizes downtime and provides greater convenience. A quick 30-minute charge on the Note 12 Pro could provide a substantial boost in battery life, something the Y3 simply can't match.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Infinix Note 12 Pro if you prefer a more responsive experience for gaming, streaming, and multitasking, and value faster charging speeds to minimize downtime. The Note 12 Pro is the better choice for anyone who doesn't want to compromise significantly on performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Note 12 Pro run demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G99 chipset in the Infinix Note 12 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, it's a significant improvement over the vivo Y3's Helio P35, which would likely struggle with consistent performance.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Infinix Note 12 Pro with the 33W charger?
The Infinix Note 12 Pro can be fully charged from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-70 minutes with the included 33W charger. This is considerably faster than the vivo Y3, which would take well over 2 hours with its 18W charger.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Helio G99 in the Infinix Note 12 Pro provides a smoother and more responsive experience when switching between apps, loading web pages, and scrolling through social media feeds compared to the Helio P35 in the vivo Y3.
❓ Does the Infinix Note 12 Pro have a lot of bloatware?
Infinix phones are known to come with some pre-installed apps (bloatware). However, many of these can be uninstalled, freeing up storage space and improving the user experience. It's a common practice to perform a clean-up after initial setup.
