Okay, let's dive deep into the nitty-gritty of these two contenders: the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Samsung Galaxy A04. I'll break down their specs, highlighting what they mean for you, the user, and guide you towards the best choice based on your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm | Similar height and width, but the A04 is a bit thicker and slightly heavier. The Note 12 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 185g | 192g | The Note 12 is lighter, which could be noticeable during longer use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | The Note 12 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The Note 12 has a much sharper display. Text and images will look clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 393 | 270 | The Note 12's higher PPI means visuals will be significantly crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | AMOLED on the Note 12 means deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and better battery efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rates; neither is particularly smooth for fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 0 nits | The Note 12 is much brighter, which makes it significantly easier to view outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | The G96 in the Note 12 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 307,000 | 124,000 | The Note 12 significantly outperforms the A04 in benchmarks, indicating much better real-world performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Mali-G57 in the Note 12 is more capable, contributing to better graphics performance in games and apps. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.8 | The Note 12’s wider aperture (f/1.6) might allow slightly better low-light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 5MP f/2.2 | The Note 12's selfie camera offers much higher resolution and a wider aperture, resulting in far better selfies and video calls. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | The Note 12 supports higher video recording resolution, allowing more detailed videos for sharing or editing. |
| Slow-Motion | Yes, 120 fps | No, 30 fps | The Note 12 allows you to record slow motion videos with higher frame rate. |
| Camera Features | More (See Notes) | Less (See Notes) | The Note 12 has more camera features like Digital Image Stabilization, Manual Focus and Night Mode. The A04 has features like continuous shooting. |
| BATTERY LIFE | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery size, which is pretty standard for modern smartphones. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | No Fast Charging | The Note 12's 33W fast charging is a major advantage, significantly reducing charging times. |
| Battery Features | Non-Removable | Non-Removable | Both have non-removable batteries |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 (upgradeable to 13) | Both run Android, but the A04 will get a newer version, giving it a slight edge in future feature sets. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | 802.11b/g/n/ac | The A04 supports newer Wi-Fi 5 standard, while the Note 12 has additional features: Dual band, Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | The Note 12 has a newer version of Bluetooth, offering slightly better performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | The A04 provides slightly better location accuracy with GLONASS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| STORAGE | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB | Both offer options up to 128GB, but the A04 offers lower storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 3 GB, 4 GB, or 6 GB | The Note 12 offers up to 8 GB of RAM, potentially offering better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone allows external storage. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | The Note 12 provides a much better audio experience, with enhanced surround sound and stereo speakers. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The Note 12 provides better biometric security with a fingerprint sensor. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | The Note 12 has more sensors, which could provide additional functionality for games and apps. |
2. Key Insights
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen is a major win, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and better outdoor visibility.
- Performance Powerhouse: The Helio G96 chipset significantly outperforms the P35 in the A04, leading to smoother and more responsive performance.
- Fast Charging: The inclusion of 33W fast charging is a massive time-saver.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution and wider aperture in both the main and selfie cameras, providing better quality photos, especially in lower light.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with DTS sound provide an immersive audio experience, ideal for watching videos and listening to music.
- Biometric Security: The fingerprint sensor adds convenient and more secure unlocking.
- Trade-offs:
- No expandable storage.
- Older Wifi Standard.
Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Strengths:
- Future Software Update: Planned upgrade to Android 13 could provide access to newer features.
- More GPS Satellite Support: The addition of GLONASS can offer slightly better location accuracy.
- More Storage Options: Can choose between 32GB and 128GB storage.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Supports newer Wi-Fi 5 standard
- Trade-offs:
- Inferior Display: The LCD screen has lower resolution, brightness, and color accuracy compared to the Infinix Note 12.
- Lower Performance: The Helio P35 is significantly less powerful than the G96, which is not ideal for demanding applications and games.
- Slower Charging: It lacks fast charging.
- Basic Camera Capabilities: Has a standard resolution selfie camera, and has fewer video and camera features.
- Basic Audio Features: Lacks any premium audio enhancements and only has a single speaker.
- Basic Security Features: Doesn't have any biometric sensors.
- No expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Infinix Note 12 G96 is ideal for:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos and movies on their phones will greatly benefit from the vibrant AMOLED display and stereo speakers.
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU offer a noticeably smoother gaming experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who take a lot of pictures and selfies will appreciate the superior camera specs and additional camera features, including the ability to record slow-motion videos.
- Power Users: The fast charging capability will be a huge time-saver.
- Budget Minded Users Seeking Premium Features: It provides high value in the display, performance and security departments.
Samsung Galaxy A04 is suitable for:
- Basic Users: People who primarily use their phones for calls, texts, social media browsing, and some light app usage.
- Budget Conscious Shoppers: Those who are looking for a basic smartphone and aren't too worried about high performance or camera quality.
- Users Who Value Software Updates: Those who prioritize having the latest Android OS features, potentially at the expense of performance and display quality.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you value sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and outdoor visibility, the Note 12’s AMOLED screen is a must-have. If basic visibility is fine for your needs the A04 might be enough.
- How much do you value performance? If you want a phone that handles multitasking, demanding apps, and games smoothly, the Note 12 is the clear winner. If your use case is mostly browsing, light social media usage or calling then the A04 would be enough.
- How important is fast charging and audio? The Note 12's fast charging will save you a lot of time, and stereo speakers with DTS will deliver high quality audio. If these features are not critical to your daily use the A04 will do.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: I mostly use my phone for social media, calls, and browsing.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A04 might suffice, but if you do value a vibrant display, or plan to occasionally watch videos then the Infinix Note 12 G96 is a better choice.
- Scenario 2: I'm an avid gamer and media consumer and I need a better experience.
- Recommendation: The Infinix Note 12 G96 is the better pick due to its superior performance, display, and audio capabilities.
- Scenario 3: I need a phone for taking pictures and selfies and want high quality video recordings.
- Recommendation: The Infinix Note 12 G96 with its better camera resolution, aperture and more video features will provide better results.
My Choice:
Given my preference for a phone that can handle a variety of tasks smoothly, offers a great viewing experience, and boasts good camera and audio capabilities, I would choose the Infinix Note 12 G96. The AMOLED display is a game-changer, and the significantly better performance of the Helio G96 is a major draw. The addition of fast charging and superior camera features, along with better biometric security, make it a more versatile and complete package for my everyday use. While the lack of expandable storage is a minor drawback, it's a trade-off I'm willing to make for such a well-rounded device that is also easy on the wallet.
