For a budget phone under PHP10,000, there’s a lot to expect from the Infinix Note 12, and its game is strong, putting the spotlight on its storage and performance.
Design: 4/5
This is the first time I’m reviewing an Infinix device, and I was very stoked to use it. Taking it out of the box revealed a sleek smartphone in Sapphire Blue. The front is made with pre-applied tempered glass. The back has a wavy textured finish, and the camera is mounted on a midnight blue glass panel for a classy look. The package does not include the usual earphones and ejector pin. The warranty guide, user manual, silicon case, and a USB-C flash charger are in the box. The sim and microSD card tray are located on the left. Under the volume keys on the right is the power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner. I found this placement awkward because I’d always land my thumb on the volume keys. In front is the selfie camera; the charging port and 3.55mm jack are at the bottom, alongside stereo speakers.
The Infinix Note12 features a 6.7” FHD+ True Color AMOLED Display, which is excellent for watching videos and playing games since it delivers true blacks and vibrant colors.
Hardware: 4/5
This smartphone is powered by a Mediatek Helio G96 processor and runs on XOS 10.6 over Android 12. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate. It has 8GB of RAM expandable up to 13GB and 128GB of internal storage expandable via a dedicated SD card slot. The Note 12’s battery is a massive 5000mAh that can last the phone for up to over 10 hours, depending on usage. It comes with a 33W flash charger that can charge to 100% in about an hour. Its front camera is 16MP with dual Flash Light that captures 1440p videos at 30fps, and the rear is a triple camera with 50MP + 2MP + QGVA that also captures 1440p videos at 30fps with quad Flash Light.
User Experience: 4/5
I always test review units based on their camera and performance, so when I received the Infinix Note 12, I immediately set it up and installed my favorite apps, including fast-paced games that require massive storage and, of course, a couple of slow-paced games to see the phone’s performance in different game settings. Performance in fast-paced games was up to par, and the graphics were quite surprising, even in medium settings. The colors were still vibrant and not pixelated compared to other smartphones in the same price range. What I also liked about the gaming experience was the audio quality. When cranked up to 70 to 80% volume, the SFX isn’t compromised at all, plus the acoustics from the audio vibrates on the back of the smartphone, which I think is interesting.
The camera did not meet my expectations. The AI processing was too visible, although it did produce some good-quality pictures and videos in proper lighting, and the colors were pretty accurate. Taking photos in low-light settings was a bit of a struggle, especially if you’re only using the default camera mode. Using the Super Night mode made a lot of difference, enhancing the images to be sharper, for decent photo and video output.
Switching in-between apps wasn’t a problem. Even with a 60Hz refresh rate, it still did the job. Battery and charging are impressive. However, the USB-C charger means you will need an adaptor to use it with your usual Type-A outlets.
Overall, the Infinix Note 12 didn’t disappoint, performance-wise.
Value: 4.5/5
The Infinix Note 12 is worth the buy if you’re looking for an affordable smartphone. Camera performance may not be the best, but with decent phone performance and massive storage for just PHP8,499, Note 12 is possibly one of the best budget phones in the market.
Specifications:
- CHIPSET: MediaTek Helio G96
- OS: Android 12, XOS 10.6
- STORAGE: 8GB RAM, 128GB internal storage
- DISPLAY: AMOLED
- DIMENSIONS: 164.6 x 76.8 x 8mm
- FRONT/BACK: Glass front/plastic back
- BATTERY: 5000mAh, USB-C 33W charger
- CAMERA: Triple (Main) 50MP wide, 2MP depth, QVGA / Front 16MP
- FINGERPRINT: Side-mounted
- COLORS: Sapphire Blue, Force Black, Snow Fall
- PACKAGE INCLUDES: USB-C cable, 33W charger, protective case, user manual and warranty, pre-applied screen protector
What’s Hot:
- Massive internal storage (also available in 256GB)
- Gaming experience is satisfactory even in medium settings
- Great processor
What’s Not:
- Bloatware, most can’t be uninstalled
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Type-C charger plug
Bottomline:
Possibly one of the best budget phones available.
Reviewed by Franceska Aguila
Also published in Gadgets Magazine September 2022 Issue