Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Samsung Galaxy S24. I'll break down the specs, highlight the real-world implications, and help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the key technical specifications, focusing on what these differences mean for real-world use.
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | The Infinix is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, making it less pocketable, while the S24 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 185g | 167g | The S24 is lighter, which improves comfort during extended use, especially one-handed. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The S24 offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | Infinix offers a larger screen, better for media consumption, while the S24 is more convenient for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer a sharp Full HD experience; the S24 has a slightly higher pixel density which will be negligible in day-to-day use. |
| PPI | 393 | 416 | The S24 has slightly higher sharpness, but both are pretty crisp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED offers vibrant colors and deeper blacks on the Infinix Note 12. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S24 offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G96 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | The S24's chip is significantly faster and more power-efficient, resulting in much better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 307,000 | 1,639,695 | The S24 offers a much more fluid experience, with drastically faster loading times and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 750 / Xclipse 940 | The S24 GPU has superior graphics performance, enabling more demanding mobile games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.8 | The Infinix has a slightly wider aperture, but the S24 has a much larger sensor for potentially better image quality in low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 12MP f/2.2 | The Infinix has a higher resolution front camera with a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.4 | The S24 offers optical zoom for better close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP f/2.2 | The S24 provides a wider field of view for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Infinix has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | The S24 captures much higher resolution video with superior stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, etc | Digital/Optical zoom, OIS, RAW | The S24 offers more advanced camera features including OIS and RAW image capture. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | The Infinix should have longer battery life due to a larger capacity. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The Infinix charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | The S24 offers bypass charging for gaming and reverse wireless charging to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The S24 comes with a newer version of Android, which brings more features and is more optimized. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 6E | The S24 offers newer WiFi standards for faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The S24 has a more modern Bluetooth for better efficiency and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The S24 has more satellite support for more accurate location data. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | The S24 offers the additional flexibility of eSIM support. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | The S24 has more storage options and higher maximum capacity. |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB / 8GB | 8GB / 12GB | The S24 has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither of the phones support expandable storage. |
| Audio | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | The S24 has noise cancellation but the Infinix has DTS/DTS X. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Infinix has the more advanced side-mounted sensor. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | The S24 has more advanced sensor options including a barometer and compass. |
2. Key Insights
Infinix Note 12 G96
- Strengths: This phone prioritizes a large, vibrant AMOLED display and a large 5000mAh battery for extended usage. It offers a higher resolution front camera and a wider aperture in the main camera. It also comes with DTS/DTS X and faster charging.
- Competitive Advantages: The Infinix has a larger screen and better battery capacity making it suited to media consumption and people who need all-day power. It's also more budget friendly with a lower price tag.
- Trade-offs: It has a weaker chipset, lower display refresh rate, and lacks features like optical zoom and an ultrawide camera. Additionally, the build quality is not as robust.
Samsung Galaxy S24
- Strengths: The S24 excels in performance, display quality, and camera versatility. It boasts a cutting-edge Snapdragon chipset, a smooth 120Hz screen, and a versatile camera setup with telephoto and ultrawide lenses.
- Competitive Advantages: The Samsung has top-tier processing power and a high-quality display making it great for gaming and demanding tasks. It also offers advanced camera features such as OIS and RAW image capture.
- Trade-offs: Its battery capacity is smaller and it has slower charging compared to the Infinix. The price is also significantly higher.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Infinix Note 12 G96
- Best for: Budget-conscious users, media consumers, those who prioritize battery life, and casual users.
- Use cases: Watching videos, browsing the web, social media, basic gaming.
- Price-to-Value: This phone offers good value for the price if you are okay with the trade-offs in performance.
Samsung Galaxy S24
- Best for: Power users, mobile photographers, gamers, those who need a premium experience.
- Use cases: Demanding games, professional photography, videography, multitasking, and productivity.
- Price-to-Value: The price is very high, but you'll get premium performance and features in return.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Three Key Questions:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (Media consumption, gaming, photography, or productivity)
- How important is top-tier performance versus battery life and price?
- Do I need advanced camera features or is a basic setup good enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user who values battery life:
- Recommendation: Go with the Infinix Note 12 G96. You'll get a large screen and all-day battery life without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Power user who prioritizes performance:
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. The cutting-edge chip and high refresh rate display make it superior for performance-intensive tasks.
- Scenario 3: Mobile photographer who wants a versatile camera:
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S24 is better due to the optical zoom, ultrawide lens, and more advanced features like OIS and RAW capture.
Which One Would I Choose and Why?
Personally, I'd lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S24. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 is a strong contender for budget-conscious users, the performance and camera capabilities of the S24 are simply in a different league.
As a tech journalist, I value a device that can handle heavy workloads, capture high-quality images and videos, and offers the latest and greatest in performance. The S24's cutting-edge Snapdragon chip ensures it can handle any task thrown at it, and the 120Hz display makes everything feel smooth and responsive. While the battery might be smaller, I am willing to accept this trade-off for the advanced performance and versatility the S24 offers. Also, I prefer smaller and lighter phones in general.
Ultimately, the "best" phone depends on individual needs and budget, but in my particular case, the Samsung Galaxy S24 better aligns with my daily demands.
