Okay, let's dive deep into the Realme C35 and Infinix Hot 12 Play, putting on my tech journalist hat and breaking down what these phones offer in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key specifications of the Realme C35 and the Infinix Hot 12 Play, with a focus on their real-world implications:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Infinix Hot 12 Play | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm | The Infinix is noticeably larger, which might feel less comfortable in smaller hands, while the Realme is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | The Realme C35 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.82" | The Infinix has a slightly bigger screen, which might be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 720 x 1612 | The Realme has a much sharper display, providing clearer text and images. This matters significantly for reading, browsing and watching videos. |
| PPI | 401 | 259 | The Realme's higher pixel density results in a crisper and more detailed display compared to the Infinix which will have a fuzzier or less sharp image. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Infinix has a smoother feel when scrolling and gaming due to a higher refresh rate. While not the biggest difference, it is noticeable. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both offer similar display quality based on the technology. IPS LCD offers generally good viewing angles. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | MediaTek Helio G37 (12 nm) - X6816 | The Unisoc chip in the Realme is measurably faster in benchmarks and should offer better performance for everyday tasks like app launching and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 168,500 | The Realme C35 offers notably better performance compared to the Infinix, making it faster and more responsive. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Mali GPU in the Realme provides a better graphics experience for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 13MP, f/1.8 | The Realme C35 offers significantly higher resolution photos, leading to more detailed images with better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 (Sony Exmor Sensor) | 8MP | Both phones have capable selfie cameras, with the Realme having a better sensor which might improve the image quality. |
| Depth Camera | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Infinix includes a depth camera which enhances the quality of portrait mode photos, providing a nice background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Realme allows for close up photography via a macro lens. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | N/A | The Realme has a black and white lens which would create some interesting pictures. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both are similar in video capturing quality. |
| Camera Features | Wide array, incl. Digital Image stabilization, CDAF | Wide array | The Realme offers additional image enhancement features like digital image stabilization and CDAF. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The Infinix boasts a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life between charges. However, this depends on power management and software optimization. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | The Realme charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones run on the same version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac, Dual Band, Direct, Display | The Infinix has some additional Wifi features which provide slightly better connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, LE, EDR | 5.0, LE | The Realme has EDR which can provide better audio connections with certain headphones. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS | The Realme has additional satellite support for better GPS location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64GB / 128GB | 64GB / 128GB | Both phones offer similar storage configurations with different variants available. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | Both devices share a similar RAM configuration. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD storage expansion. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Rear-mounted | The Realme uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which some users may find more convenient. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | The Realme has a gyroscope which allows for more advanced motion sensing. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths: Superior display resolution (1080p) and PPI, significantly better processing power according to benchmark scores, better main camera resolution, faster charging, and extra satellite support for GPS location accuracy.
- Competitive Advantages: Its sharper display and faster performance give it an edge for daily use and moderate gaming. The 50MP camera provides more detailed images.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery, no expandable storage.
- Limitations: The lack of expandable storage might be a concern for heavy users.
Infinix Hot 12 Play:
- Strengths: Larger battery capacity, higher display refresh rate (90Hz), and a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos, and additional Wifi features.
- Competitive Advantages: Excellent for users who prioritize long battery life and a slightly smoother display experience.
- Trade-offs: Lower display resolution, lower benchmark scores, slower charging.
- Limitations: Weaker overall performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a sharp and clear display, better performance for daily use, and higher resolution photos.
- Use Cases: Ideal for users who enjoy social media, reading, light gaming, and capture high-resolution photos.
- Value Proposition: A strong contender for users who want a higher resolution display and better overall performance.
Infinix Hot 12 Play:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize extended battery life and a smoother display, as well as an enhanced portrait mode photo experience.
- Use Cases: Good for users who need a phone to last all day without needing to charge, casual mobile gamers, and fans of portrait mode photos.
- Value Proposition: A reliable device for those whose biggest concern is battery life and an slightly improved display when it comes to smoothness.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Do you prioritize display sharpness and performance? If yes, the Realme C35 is your better bet. Its significantly higher resolution and better benchmark scores make it a clear winner for a superior visual experience and speed.
- Is battery life the most critical factor for you? If so, the Infinix Hot 12 Play’s larger 6000mAh battery might be more appealing.
- Do you value having a dedicated depth camera for better portrait mode pictures? If so, the Infinix Hot 12 Play is the only option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Social Media Enthusiast: If you’re constantly on social media and like to scroll endlessly, the smoother scrolling experience from the Infinix with a higher refresh rate will be beneficial; however, for picture quality the Realme will be a better choice.
- The Mobile Gamer: If you’re looking to do some moderate gaming, the better GPU and processor of the Realme C35 is the obvious choice and will give a better experience.
- The On-the-Go User: If battery life is critical due to long hours away from a charger, then the Infinix's larger battery is the better choice. However, the Realme's faster charging would be better if you only need a quick boost throughout the day.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Realme C35. While the Infinix has a larger battery and a slightly higher refresh rate, the superior display resolution and processing power of the Realme is a better fit for my needs, as I value those specifications more. As well as this, I find that the Realme has additional benefits such as a macro and black and white lens that I would use more. For someone like me, the crisp display, snappier performance, and higher resolution camera are more important for my daily use, as it aligns better with my mobile habits and needs. The only area that could be a concern is the lack of expandable storage, but in the end I think I could work around that issue.
