Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Infinix Note 12 G96
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm | 164.6 x 76.8 x 8 mm | Infinix is slightly taller and wider, OnePlus is a bit thicker. May affect one-handed use and pocket comfort. |
| Weight | 197g | 185g | Infinix is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use and makes it more comfortable. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 5 front | Unknown front | OnePlus 9 Pro has better screen protection. Infinix's screen protection is unknown which might make it vulnerable to scratches. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1080 x 2400 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a sharper display with noticeably more detail, beneficial for media consumption and reading. |
| Pixel Density | 525 ppi | 393 ppi | OnePlus 9 Pro provides a much clearer, crisper image. |
| Technology | Unknown | AMOLED | Infinix Note 12 G96 has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. AMOLED is more energy-efficient for dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | OnePlus 9 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations making it better for gaming and overall fluidity. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 650 nits | OnePlus 9 Pro provides significantly better visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Helio G96 (12 nm) | OnePlus 9 Pro offers significantly faster processing speeds, better for demanding apps and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 877,600 | 307,000 | OnePlus 9 Pro shows much higher performance suitable for demanding gaming and faster app loading, this indicates significant performance difference. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G57 MC2 | OnePlus 9 Pro has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43" sensor | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2.76" sensor | Infinix has slightly higher resolution, OnePlus has significantly larger sensor, generally better low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13" sensor | 16MP, f/2.0 | Infinix Note 12 G96 has a wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. No sensor size data for Infinix |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers optical zoom for better close-up shots of distant objects |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56" sensor | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers wide-angle capture for more scenic images |
| Portrait (Depth) Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Infinix provides dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers dedicated black and white lens for stylistic photography |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 1440p@30fps | OnePlus 9 Pro has much higher video resolution and has HDR support, beneficial for professional-grade video. |
| DXOMark Score | 122 | Not Tested | OnePlus 9 Pro has proven camera quality, while Infinix is not tested. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh | Infinix Note 12 G96 has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 33W fast charging, Li-Ion | OnePlus 9 Pro charges much faster. |
| Features | 50W Wireless charging, Reverse Charging | None | OnePlus 9 Pro offers wireless and reverse charging capabilities, adding convenience. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, upgradable to 14 | Android 12 | Infinix has a slightly newer base version, both offer Android. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), MIMO | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | OnePlus 9 Pro has a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.1 LE | OnePlus 9 Pro has a slightly more advanced version with more audio codec support. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Basic GPS | OnePlus 9 Pro offers better location accuracy and reliability. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 64/128GB | OnePlus has more storage options. Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 4/6/8GB | OnePlus 9 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and running more demanding apps. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | OnePlus offers better audio with features like Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Infinix Note 12 G96 has a more convenient and faster fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | OnePlus has an additional compass sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher refresh rate, much higher brightness, makes for a sharper and smoother user experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Better Cameras: Superior main sensor size, telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, higher video recording quality and DXO mark score and better overall photo and video quality.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired and wireless charging, reverse wireless charging.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, more advanced Bluetooth, more precise GPS.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic for better audio experience.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Advantages:
- Lower Cost: Generally more affordable
- AMOLED Display: Better contrast, more vibrant colors.
- Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
- Slightly Lighter: Easier to carry for extended time.
- Newer OS out of the box: Newer OS out of the box than the OnePlus.
- Side-mounted fingerprint: Convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner
- Portrait Mode: Offers a dedicated portrait mode.
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro: More expensive, heavier, less battery capacity, basic fingerprint sensor.
- Infinix Note 12 G96: Significantly lower performance, lower-resolution display, no telephoto or wide angle lens, slower charging, lacks premium features and is generally a budget phone compared to the OnePlus
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Pro is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Gamers, multitaskers, and anyone needing a fast, responsive phone.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality display, cameras, and audio, great for content creation or consumption
- Travelers: Benefit from the excellent camera system, and location accuracy.
- Professional photographers and video editors who value more control over the picture taking process and the high video quality of the phone.
Infinix Note 12 G96 is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a good display and battery at a lower price.
- Casual Users: Those who need a phone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and streaming.
- Users who prefer a larger battery and a lightweight phone.
- Users who prefer AMOLED screens over other types.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? OnePlus 9 Pro is premium, while Infinix is budget-friendly.
- How important is performance? Do you need a phone for demanding tasks, or just casual use?
- How important is the camera? Do you need the best possible quality with optical zoom and video recording capabilities?
- How important is charging speed? Do you need to be able to charge your phone as quickly as possible?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You want the best performance, display quality, and camera; budget is not a primary concern. Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro.
- Scenario 2: You need a good phone for daily tasks and streaming with long battery, and want to save money. Recommendation: Infinix Note 12 G96
- Scenario 3: You want good performance and a better camera; you're willing to compromise on battery life. Recommendation: OnePlus 9 Pro is still the clear choice in this case due to its superior camera.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus 9 Pro. Although it's older, it offers a far superior experience in terms of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The significantly higher processing power ensures smooth multitasking and handling of demanding games, while the higher resolution and refresh rate display provide a much more enjoyable viewing experience. The camera system is also vastly superior for both photography and video recording, with a significantly higher DXOMark score, additional lenses and more features. While the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a larger battery and AMOLED display, these are not enough to compensate for its overall lack of performance. For me, the enhanced camera experience, faster charging, superior display quality, and better performance of the OnePlus 9 Pro are worth the extra cost. I would prefer to spend more for a much better and longer-lasting user experience. I also highly value fast charging, which is a significant advantage for the OnePlus 9 Pro. Although the Infinix may be ideal for budget-conscious users, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers a premium experience that the Infinix cannot match.
