Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Infinix Hot 12 Play
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Infinix Hot 12 Play | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2022-05-30 | Infinix Hot 12 Play is newer (approx. 1.5 years) - might have better long-term software support |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm | Infinix is taller and wider, may be less comfortable for small hands, both have same thickness |
| Weight | 205g | 209g | Both are similar in weight, neither significantly lighter |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.82" | Infinix has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Both have similar resolution, pixel density is almost same; sharpness is comparable |
| PPI | 270 | 259 | Very similar pixel density, both displays will appear equally sharp |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS is superior to PLS LCD, typically having better color reproduction and viewing angles |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Infinix display will feel smoother due to higher refresh rate, especially for animations and scrolling |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown for both. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Infinix has a slightly more powerful processor, better for overall performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 168,500 | Infinix has significantly higher benchmark score, better for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 (ARM Mali-G52 MP2) | Infinix has a slightly more powerful GPU, leading to better gaming performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Infinix has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 10W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Samsung charges faster, though actual times will depend on battery level and usage |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 13MP | Samsung captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | Infinix has a wider aperture, potentially better in low light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | Unknown | Sensor size is an important factor for image quality. Samsung's sensor is a bit bigger but Infinix's sensor model is unknown. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.12µm | Infinix has larger pixels, which can capture more light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 8MP | Comparable selfie cameras |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | None | Samsung offers a telephoto lens for zooming without losing quality |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | None | Samsung offers a wide angle lens to capture wider scenes |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | 2MP | Both have depth sensors for portrait shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer standard video quality |
| Camera Features | Quad Camera, PDAF | Triple Camera | Samsung offers a better set of cameras. Infinix offers a faster focus with PDAF. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 11 | Infinix has a newer OS out of the box, but Samsung can be updated to Android 12 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Infinix supports 5GHz Wi-Fi (ac) which is faster and less congested |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung supports more Bluetooth profiles |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS | Samsung offers greater location accuracy with more satellite systems |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both are available with 128GB as maximum storage. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB | Samsung has configurations with higher RAM, enabling a smoother multitasking experience, while Infinix is limited to 4GB. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both offer similar basic audio quality |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | rear-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint sensors are generally easier to use |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither phone's screen protection is mentioned |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Infinix has more sensors including a compass |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 48MP sensor allows for more detailed photos.
- Telephoto and Wide-Angle Lenses: Offers more flexibility in photography with telephoto zoom and wide-angle shots.
- Faster Charging: 15W charging is faster than the 10W offered by Infinix.
- Better Bluetooth Support: Offers a wider array of Bluetooth profiles, potentially enhancing connectivity with various accessories.
- More RAM Options: 6GB RAM option is better for multitasking.
- Better GPS: Supports GLONASS and Beidou for better location accuracy.
- Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more practical to use.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.82" screen is better for media consumption and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother visual experience.
- Better Processor: Helio G37 chipset and higher AnTuTu score provide significantly better overall performance for daily tasks and gaming.
- Better Main Camera: Wider aperture lens captures more light in low light situations.
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- Newer OS Out of the Box: Android 11 provides newer features and security enhancements.
- Better WiFi: Support for 5GHz WiFi
- Compass: Additional sensor for navigating maps
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A12 sacrifices performance for a more versatile camera system and faster charging.
- The Infinix Hot 12 Play prioritizes performance, a smoother display, and longer battery life over camera versatility and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Individuals who prioritize camera versatility and detailed images, enjoy photography, prefer faster charging, or need a phone for general use with moderate performance requirements.
- Use Cases: Casual photography, social media sharing, basic gaming, general daily use, users who may not require high-end performance for demanding tasks but want camera features like telephoto and wide-angle lenses, and people who do not mind slightly slower display refresh rates.
- Price-to-Value: While not the highest performing phone, it offers a well rounded package for the users looking for an all-round phone for daily use.
Infinix Hot 12 Play:
- Ideal User: Gamers, media consumers, users who prioritize a smooth experience, and individuals who need a long-lasting battery.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, watching videos, browsing, multitasking, people who need to have their phones last all day, and users who prefer performance and smoother visuals over a more versatile camera system.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better performance-per-dollar, especially for users looking for budget-friendly gaming and media consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or performance? (Samsung A12 for versatile camera, Infinix for performance)
- Is battery life or fast charging more important to you? (Infinix for battery life, Samsung for fast charging)
- Do you need smoother visuals or more camera features? (Infinix for 90Hz display, Samsung for telephoto and wide angle)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Gaming & Media Consumption: Choose the Infinix Hot 12 Play for its smoother display, better gaming performance, and longer battery life.
- Scenario 2: Casual Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 for its higher resolution camera, telephoto zoom, and wide-angle lens, though it will have slower charging and lower performance.
- Scenario 3: General Daily Use, all-round usage: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 for its well-rounded features and camera versatility, though keep in mind that it will perform slightly slower.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Infinix Hot 12 Play. My decision is primarily driven by the noticeably superior performance offered by the Helio G37 chipset and its higher AnTuTu benchmark score. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has advantages like a higher-resolution main camera and more versatile lenses, the Infinix offers a significantly better overall experience for daily usage, including smoother navigation due to the 90Hz display, longer battery life, and better gaming performance. For my personal use, these advantages outweigh the camera features that the Samsung offers, plus the Infinix offers a lower entry cost than the Samsung.
