Ever since its inception in 2013, Infinix has always had its focus on one thing – budget killer devices. The company has consistently launched devices under its various lines with its core aim of bringing aggressive value for money. They recently launched the Infinix Hot 12 Play on 30th May 2022 globally. The phone is now officially available in Bangladesh as well. Here is a detailed take on the device so that prospective buyers can decide whether to go for this device or not.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Key Specifications
Design and Build Quality
The first thing to note is that Infinix is a through and through budget device. One of the quirks with the budget devices is that they don’t tend to stick to a design language. High-end devices like iPhones or the S series from Samsung always go about making small incremental changes in the hardware to bring a seamless experience. However, that is not the case with budget devices and certainly not with the Hot series from Infinix.
The previous iteration had a vertical dual-tone back. This time, Infinix introduced a horizontal partition on the lower end of the device. The upper portion has a pronounced vertical shade whereas the bottom part exudes a faded brushed glow. The light refraction on both parts gives the device its rustic premium look.
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Moving on to ports and buttons and everything is as expected and utilitarian in a budget device. The phone sports all the usual bells and whistles like a dedicated microSD slot, 3.5 headphone jack, and a much-loved USB Type C charging port. The fingerprint sensor now got its dedicated place on the back right beside the camera module.
Overall, the build and design won’t blow away the users. But small increments come together to make a decent device considering the price.
Display
Infinix hasn’t jumped onto the AMOLED bandwagon yet. The choice of sticking with the IPS LCD is understandable considering the limited options. But that didn’t stop the company from trickling some high-end features into the Hot 12 Play.
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The display itself is a large 6.82-inch panel with HD+ resolution and 259 ppi. The modest specs are alleviated with the addition of the 90 Hz refresh rate. In addition to that, the panel has a touch sampling rate of 180 Hz so touches and browsing feel absolutely smooth. The phone’s brightness maxes out at 800 nits. Outdoor visibility isn’t much of an issue but users might see some glares under direct sunlight.
Camera
On the flip side of the device, the rectangular camera housing holds two large vertical camera sensors and an imitative small cutout at the bottom. While it might look like a sensor, it is just there for the aesthetics. Speaking of useless additions, one of the two lenses is a QVGA lens while the main sensor is a 13 MP wide-angle f/1.8 shooter.
It doesn’t make any sense as to why companies still include a QVGA lens with their devices. The choice can be attributed to cost cuts and better selling points with a dual camera.
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The main sensor itself performs on average. Then again, users will be wrong to expect premium performance out of a device that is priced under 15,000 BDT. The lens can take decent pictures in direct sunlight and well-lit environments. Just like its predecessor, the problem starts in low light. Images appear to be grainy and with a lot of noise. This isn’t a phone which will necessarily be known for its camera. Rather it’s a feature Infinix is still yet to perfect.
Processor and Performance
Speaking of perfecting, Infinix has brought a resounding improvement in the processor and performance department. Most of the competitors in this price range including the Hot 11 was powered by the entry-level MediaTek Helio G35. The G30 series from MediaTek does only the bare minimums and simply registers its presence as a processor.
Infinix has moved away from the partnership and opted for the UniSoc T610 processor built on the octa-core architecture. And this simple choice has made a world difference in performance. Even on paper, the UniSoc processor performs almost double that of the G30 series from MediaTek.
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The device blazes through every type of day-to-day task thrown at it. We tried gaming on the device and it didn’t let us down there as well. The device can run 3D games like PUBG in high settings without any visible stutter. But there are some frame drops here and there and the device does get slightly heated owing to the plastic build.
Overall, the performance of the Hot 12 Play is a huge upgrade from the previous generation. It is still a perfect device for everyday casual use. But users can now throw in some games here and there and play along as the name suggests.
The OS here is the same XOS based on Android 11. Given the budget constraints, we would suggest not to expect an update to the Android 12 anytime soon.
Read Infinix Hot 12 Review: Is it a good budget Smartphone?
Battery and Charge Time
The Infinix Hot 12 Play comes with a non-removable 6000 mAh battery. The high battery can easily power the device for 7 to 8 hours of continuous use. But the limiting 10W charger means topping this huge battery up will be a time-consuming process.
Price of Infinix Hot 12 Play
The Infinix Hot 12 Play is officially available in Bangladesh in 2 variants. The 4GB/64GB variant will cost 12,999 BDT and the 4GB/128GB will cost 13,999 BDT. The price is subject to change.
Verdict
The Infinix Hot 12 Play in all its glory is still a hit and a miss from the budget brand. While the design, performance, and overall usability have increased over the last iteration, there are still areas like the camera and the OS that require a major upgrade. Infinix should definitely look into these aspects in order to truly diversify its customer base. Or else they might get stuck in the loop that they themselves created – a niche of devices specifically catered for the low-budget client segment.