Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Sony Xperia 1 V. These two phones represent very different ends of the smartphone spectrum, and understanding their differences is key to picking the right one for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specs, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Sony Xperia 1 V | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm | Infinix is wider, Sony is slightly thicker. In-hand feel will differ - Sony is more comfortable in one hand |
| Weight | 185g | 187g | Both are similar in weight, won't feel significantly different in pocket. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone, no fancy folding action here |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Infinix has slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1644 x 3840 | Sony has far sharper, crisper display, noticeably more detailed text and images. |
| PPI | 393 | 643 | Sony's display is significantly denser, resulting in higher clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both are excellent for vivid colors and deep blacks, but might have different color calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Sony's screen is much smoother in animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 0 nits (spec missing, likely very high) | Infinix will be more visible in direct sunlight based on the given spec. However, we know the Sony is also excellent, so the missing value isn't as important in this case. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Sony's chip is vastly more powerful, better for gaming, heavy apps and future proofing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 307,000 | 1,365,441 | Sony is more than 4x faster, a huge difference in real world usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 740 | Sony has a vastly better GPU, smoother for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.6, 1/2.76" | 48MP f/1.9, 1/1.4" | Sony has larger sensor, leading to better low-light performance. Infinix has slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP f/2.0 | 12MP f/2.0, 1/2.93" | Infinix has higher resolution, but Sony has larger pixels, better low light and dynamic range |
| Telephoto Lens | No | 12MP f/2.3, 1/3.5" | Sony has dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom, Infinix has none. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Sony has an ultra-wide lens for more options and better flexibility, Infinix has none. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 Depth Sensor | No | Infinix has a dedicated sensor for portrait photos while Sony uses software processing. |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 4K up to 120fps w/ OIS | Sony has much more advanced video capabilities, with higher resolution, frame rate and excellent stabilisation. |
| Features | Basic | Advanced | Sony has a wealth of features including Noise Reduction, Time-Lapse, OIS, optical zoom, RAW and more. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar capacity, expect comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Infinix offers slightly faster charging, but both are pretty fast. |
| Features | Basic | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging | Sony offers more charging versatility including options to bypass charging while gaming and charging other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Sony's OS is newer, with longer support and more up-to-date features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11n | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Sony's WiFi is faster and more reliable, better performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | Sony's Bluetooth is newer, more efficient, and has better codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Sony has more precise positioning due to support of multiple satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Sony has e-sim support for easy carrier switching. Infinix has dual physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | Sony offers vastly more built-in storage, especially useful for 4K videos and high-resolution photos. |
| RAM | 4/6/8GB | 12GB | Sony has more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | DTS / DTS X | Dolby Atmos | Both are excellent for audio playback with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensor technologies. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Sony has excellent screen protection with a leading industry standard. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Sony has more sensors for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Strengths: This phone is all about value. It offers a large AMOLED display, decent battery life, and relatively fast charging at a price point that won't break the bank. Its brighter screen makes it great for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, and it also has the benefit of a larger screen than the Xperia, which some may prefer.
- Competitive Advantages: Very affordable, good display, better brightness and bigger screen.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful chipset, basic camera system with limited features, no advanced connectivity options.
- Limitations: Less RAM, outdated Android version, no future proofing, no screen protection, limited camera features, no expandable storage.
Sony Xperia 1 V:
- Strengths: This is a premium powerhouse. It boasts an exceptional display, unmatched performance, a top-tier camera system with advanced features, and robust build quality.
- Competitive Advantages: Superior performance, excellent camera with optical zoom, advanced features, 4K video capabilities, 120Hz refresh rate, excellent screen protection and a wealth of connectivity options
- Trade-offs: Likely pricier and screen is slightly smaller.
- Limitations: Missing nits for display brightness.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users, students, or anyone needing a reliable device for everyday tasks, media consumption, and social media.
- Use Cases: Browsing, social media, streaming video, casual gaming, basic photography.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for the price, good for entry-level or light users.
Sony Xperia 1 V:
- Best Suited For: Tech enthusiasts, content creators, photographers, gamers, or anyone demanding top-tier performance and features.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and videography, gaming, content creation, graphic-intensive tasks, multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: Very high price point, but delivers industry leading specifications and performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's your primary use case?
- If it's basic everyday tasks and media consumption on a budget, the Infinix is fine.
- If you need a high-performance device with professional-grade camera capabilities, the Sony is the only choice.
- How much are you willing to spend?
- If you are on a strict budget, the Infinix is the clear choice due to its low price point.
- If budget is not a major consideration and want the best specifications and experience, the Sony is a strong contender.
- What are your most important features?
- If you need a large screen and good outdoor visibility on a budget, the Infinix is a solid option.
- If you want the best display, top-tier performance, and an advanced camera system, the Sony is the way to go.
Scenario Based Recommendations
- The Casual User: If you just need a phone for social media, emails, and watching videos, and are on a tight budget, the Infinix will do fine.
- The Photographer/Videographer: If you need a powerful camera system with zoom, OIS and 4K recording capabilities, and don't mind spending extra, the Sony is the only choice here.
- The Power User/Gamer: If you need top-tier performance, the best possible graphics, and excellent smoothness, the Sony is the phone for you.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Sony Xperia 1 V. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers great value, the Sony provides a premium experience that is just in a different league. The superior performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the incredible camera system, and the high-quality display are all things that are very important to me. I value the advanced features for connectivity, video, and photos that the Sony has to offer. Although the price point is significantly higher, the overall experience, build quality, and potential of the phone are hard to ignore.
It is also important to note that if you are on a tight budget the Infinix might be the best pick for you, since the Sony Xperia is a high end, premium phone, the price difference might be extreme.
