Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Infinix Note 12 G96 and the Xiaomi Poco F4. I've got my engineering hat on and I'm ready to break down what these specs really mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of each phone's key specifications, with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | 163.2 x 76 x 7.7 mm | Infinix is slightly taller and thicker, but both are similar in hand. |
| Weight | 185g | 195g | Infinix is slightly lighter, which might be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Very similar screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Sharp, detailed visuals on both. |
| PPI | 393 | 395 | Very similar pixel density; equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 will feel significantly smoother during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 650 nits | 1300 nits | Poco F4 is dramatically better for outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | Poco F4's Snapdragon is a much more powerful chip for gaming, heavy apps, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 307,000 | 861,200 | Poco F4 offers significantly faster performance in benchmarks, roughly 2.8x faster. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 650 | Poco F4's GPU is superior for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76" | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2" | Poco F4 captures more detail and has a larger sensor but Infinix has wider aperture that gathers more light. |
| Selfie (Front) | 16MP, f/2.0 | 20MP, f/2.4 | Poco F4 has a higher resolution front camera, but Infinix has a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Poco F4 offers an additional wide-angle lens, which is beneficial for group photos or landscape photography. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | Poco F4 has a dedicated Macro lens, for close up shots of objects. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Infinix includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode, while Poco F4 lacks it. |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, No stabilization | 4K@60fps, OIS | Poco F4 is capable of much higher video quality with better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Enhanced, OIS | Poco F4 has additional features like OIS which is very useful for video recordings, RAW and has a more advanced setup. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Infinix has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 67W | Poco F4 charges significantly faster; very convenient if you need to top up quickly. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Poco F4 has an advantage with future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Poco F4 has a more advanced WiFi for a faster and more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Poco F4 has a newer Bluetooth for better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F4 offers much more precise navigation via a greater number of supported satellites. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Poco F4 provides a minimum of 128GB with a 256GB option for more storage. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco F4 offers more RAM, which is better for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage so consider that. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | DTS / DTS X | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Poco F4 offers more advanced features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F4 offers much better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco F4 offers additional sensor support with Compass and Ultrasonic proximity virtual for more functionalities and applications. |
2. Key Insights
Infinix Note 12 G96:
Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery is a clear advantage for users needing extended battery life.
- Wider Camera Aperture (Main and Selfie): The wider aperture (f/1.6) on the main camera and (f/2.0) on the front camera can gather more light, which is beneficial for low-light photography.
- Lower Weight: Slightly lighter design may feel more comfortable in hand for longer periods.
- Portrait Mode Depth Sensor: Dedicated sensor for enhanced portrait mode.
Limitations:
- Performance: Its Mediatek Helio G96 chipset is significantly less powerful than the Snapdragon 870, impacting gaming and heavy app performance.
- Display: Lacks a high refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel less smooth.
- Camera: Limited to 1440p video recording with basic stabilization. No wide-angle or macro lenses.
- Software: Does not have an expandable storage option and has no clear future software updates.
Xiaomi Poco F4:
Strengths:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 870 chip provides excellent performance, making it great for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- 120Hz Display: Offers a smoother visual experience with a high refresh rate.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility with its 1300-nit display.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers 4K video, optical image stabilization (OIS), an ultrawide lens and macro lens.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging is much more convenient than the Infinix's 33W.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Offers newer WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity.
- Future Proof Software: Has clear Android software update to Android 13.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
Limitations:
- Smaller Battery: 4500mAh battery may require more frequent charging for heavy users.
- Heavier: Slightly heavier build may be noticeable during extended use.
- Portrait Mode Depth Sensor: Does not have a dedicated sensor for enhanced portrait mode.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Best for: Users who prioritize battery life and basic photography with a preference for lighter weight phones.
- Use Cases: Ideal for general smartphone usage, media consumption, and users who don't need a lot of heavy processing power for gaming or complex applications.
Xiaomi Poco F4:
- Best for: Tech enthusiasts, gamers, and users who want a fast and feature-rich experience.
- Use Cases: Perfect for high-end mobile gaming, multitasking, advanced photography, videography, and enjoying multimedia content.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
Performance vs. Battery Life?
- If you need maximum performance for gaming and heavy app usage, the Poco F4 is the clear choice. If long battery life is your primary concern, the Infinix may be more appealing.
Do you want smoother visuals or better battery life?
- If you prefer smooth scrolling and animations from a high refresh rate display, go for the Poco F4. Otherwise, if a higher refresh rate is not needed then the Infinix is suitable.
Photography/Videography requirements?
- If your primary aim is content creation, vlogging, or recording high-quality videos, the Poco F4's 4K recording and OIS are invaluable. For casual photography, both are competent, but Poco's additional lenses may be preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
The Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for browsing, social media, and basic tasks, the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a larger battery and a competent camera at a potentially lower price point.
The Power User: If you're a gamer, heavy multitasker, or someone who needs fast processing power and high video/photo quality, the Xiaomi Poco F4 is the superior option, offering far better performance and features.
The Photography Enthusiast: The Poco F4 stands out with its comprehensive camera setup including a wide-angle lens, macro lens, Optical image stabilization, 4K recording and a higher resolution camera.
My Choice
If I were to pick between the two, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4. Even though the Infinix has the better battery life on paper, the massive performance gain and the higher quality screen make up for that in my opinion. The Poco F4 provides a much better overall experience with its advanced camera system, smoother display, and significantly better processing power. The 67W charging is also a big plus, as is the software support and future proofing for software updates. These features outweigh the slightly larger battery of the Infinix, which is only a negligible difference in my personal use case, and I believe the Poco F4 is a much better phone overall with its additional features.
