Infinix Note 12 G96 Review: Big but Bloated

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Infinix has introduced a brand new model of the Note 12 and, because the identify hints, the handset revolves round a MediaTek Helio G96 processor.  

This extra tough fashion would possibly now not be offering 5G but with different specifications together with a big AMOLED display, 8GB of RAM as same old, a 50Mp major digicam and the newest Android 12 device, it’s were given some critical chops to tackle the most efficient of the price range marketplace. 

And it does so at a tempting beginning worth of US$199, but can it outpace opponents just like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, Realme 9i and Oppo A54 5G? 

Design & Build 

  • 7.8mm 
  • 185g 
  • Fingerprint scanner in energy button 

Shiny, shiny, to your face phone design has been all-the-rage for the remaining couple of years. Particularly in relation to less expensive telephones from Chinese producers and it’s the similar tale for the Note 12 G96. 

This has a square-sided body paying homage to fresh iPhones which steps inwards to the entrance and rear sections. The entrance is as simple as any phone whilst the again has a frosted end to be had in 3 colourways: Force Black, Snowfall and Sapphire Blue. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 design

The phone feels well-made and odd for the cheap phone, the again, in addition to the entrance, is glass. The body seems like steel but is in fact fabricated from plastic. 

As standard, the digicam module stands out somewhat bit and the 2 lenses additional nonetheless, but I’ve noticed a lot bulkier and clunkier preparations, so Infinix has saved this fairly neat. What I don’t perceive is the polished shiny floor to the proper which simply feels pointless. 

Despite its footprint, the phone stays lighter than in a similar fashion sized telephones at 185g and is simplest 7.8mm making it effectively balanced. On the certain facet, there’s a headphone jack but no authentic water resistant ranking. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 fingerprint scanner

Infinix does provide a transparent silicone case within the field, but it doesn’t are compatible in particular nicely and is somewhat free. 

It’s additionally price declaring that the fingerprint scanner lives throughout the energy button. I’m generally partial to this and despite the fact that the Note 12 G96’s works nicely one of the crucial time, it’s now not at all times correct and is overly delicate resulting in plenty of humming from the haptic comments from the tiniest contact, or on some events, I’m certain after I didn’t even contact the phone. 

Screen & Speakers 

  • 6.7in AMOLED 
  • Full HD+ 
  • 60Hz 

One explanation why to shop for the Infinix Note 12 G96 is the massive display, as you may be expecting for a ‘Note’ branded units. It’s a good 6.7in providing you with quite a lot of genuine property to look at video, play video games or simply scroll via your picture gallery. 

Many price range telephones have elementary LCD panels but Infinix provides an AMOLED display right here with a Full HD+ answer. This will provide you with higher distinction and punchy colors in addition to higher brightness than many opponents. 

I measured it at a top brightness (with automated adjustment off) at an excellent 514 nits. However, the show wasn’t as simple to view open air in daylight as I anticipated. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 screen

The company calls it True Colour as it will probably mirror 100% of the P3 spectrum which is spectacular. It’s now not all just right information regardless that because the show has some cheap bezels – in particular above and beneath – and doesn’t be offering a prime refresh fee. 

Not many price range telephones do but 90Hz is achievable if you wish to have such things as smoother scrolling and gaming. The Redmi Note 11 is a first-rate instance. 

You get stereo audio system right here and so they sound strangely just right. There’s a good quantity of quantity to be had and the tonal reaction is remarkably balanced. To be fair, they sound higher than many telephones I’ve examined at two or thrice the fee. 

Specs & Performance 

  • Helio G96 octa-core processor
  • 8GB of RAM as same old 
  • Up to 256GB garage 
  • Limited to 4G

As discussed on the best, and referenced within the phone’s identify, this model of the Note 12 comes with a MediaTek Helio G96 processor making it a extra tough possibility than the common Note 12 with its G88. 

This octa-core chip with a clock velocity of as much as 2.05GHz is a rival to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 discovered throughout the Redmi Note 11. Infinix says it “complements the show and visible upgrades and complements its gaming features,” with “groundbreaking efficiency.” 

Helping out here’s 8GB of RAM regardless of which fashion you purchase when many price range telephones include 6GB at maximum. Furthermore, Infinix provides one thing turning into extra not unusual in Extended RAM the place you’ll be able to get an extra 5GB by means of ROM garage. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 specs

Since this isn’t a characteristic that may be switched off and on, I will be able to’t touch upon its effectiveness, but it does come throughout as one thing of a gimmick. 

The benchmark effects from the Note 12 G96 are just right but not anything particular, pipping the Redmi Note 11 in Geekbench 5 by means of only a few issues. It does win in comparison to in a similar fashion priced opponents such because the Realme 9i in graphics assessments, regardless that.

Spend somewhat extra at the Poco X4 Pro 5G and also you’ll get a good leap, in particular if you wish to play video games.

In real-world utilization, I’ve discovered the phone to be adequate but quite a lot of stuttering happens when opening apps and animations across the OS. It’s now not terrible but extra noticeable than opponents and the revel in can also be made significantly better by means of deciding on the sensitivity within the show settings beneath ‘Ultra Touch’. 

Changing the swipe velocity to ultra-fast and movement to rapid makes the phone really feel so much nicer to make use of and in large part removes the ones jerky animations. 

One factor to notice is that the G6 doesn’t get you 5G connectivity, so if having access to the newest cellular networks is a should, then you definately’ll want to glance in other places. The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G and Oppo A54 5G are two nice choices at this worth level and Infinix has the Zero 5G, too. 

The phone is Dual-SIM which might be to hand for some customers and the second one SIM slot does not even absorb the SD slot.

Cameras 

  • 50Mp major digicam 
  • 2Mp intensity 
  • Mystery 3rd sensor? 
  • 16Mp selfie 

It’s fairly refreshing to look that Infinix hasn’t fallen into the lure of including a 2Mp macro digicam simply to up the lens rely at the Note 12 G96. Instead, the company has centered at the efficiency of the primary digicam which is 50Mp and accompanied by means of a 2Mp intensity sensor. 

However, there’s a 3rd mysterious sensor at the again which is just indexed as ‘Q’ within the specifications and I will be able to’t in finding anything else within the digicam app that makes use of it and our Infinix press touch is but to verify what it’s.

An ultrawide could be a pleasing addition but, on the price range finish of the phone marketplace, an important factor is that you’ll be able to get first rate effects from the primary shooter. 

(*12*)

Let’s focal point at the major digicam since that’s the only you’ll use nearly all of the time. Luckily, it’s completely in a position to generating some pleasant effects with just right ranges of element, proper publicity and, for probably the most section, correct colors. 

There’s nonetheless the standard quantity of noise provide when you glance carefully to even out of doors pictures but for some extent and shoot digicam for sharing footage on social media and so on the Note 12 G96 does the process.

The caveat is that you just normally want just right lights. The pictures inside of a dingy café with the pink neon mild are just right but the tremendous night time mode didn’t lend a hand when taking an image of my bookshelf in low mild. 

As you’ll be able to see, the selfie digicam is first rate and provides just right element and color but the portrait mode hasn’t finished the most efficient process round my hair. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 camera test

Video high quality from the Note 12 G96 is okay. It’s capped at 2K and 30fps, despite the fact that shoots in 720p by means of default so you should definitely move and alter that for starters. Detail and color are just right on the upper answer but it doesn’t have optical symbol stabilisation to stay issues clean so simplest works nicely if the phone is saved very nonetheless. 

Battery Life & Charging 

  • 5000mAh 
  • 33W charging 
  • Adapter integrated 

Battery lifestyles is a sturdy level for this phone partially due to a big 5000mAh mobile in addition to the 60Hz AMOLED display. In real-world trying out, the phone confirmed sturdy longevity and with my slightly mild utilization (I don’t do any gaming) it will probably with ease remaining two days. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 charging

The PCMark Work 3.0 battery check didn’t fairly replicate this with a results of 9 hours and 50 mins but that’s decent. 

Charging is rated at 33W which is some distance off the quickest telephones presently but is first rate sufficient on the price range finish of the marketplace. In our standard 30-minute check from 0%, the Note 12 G96 charged to 51% which is just right but now we have noticed higher. 

Software & Apps 

  • Android 12 
  • XOS 10.6 
  • Bloatware in all places 

Coming with Android 12, the newest model of Google’s OS, is one-up on many opponents but Infinix provides its XOS 10.6 UI excessive making it nearly unrecognisable.  

Infinix Note 12 G96 software

As Jon discovered with the Zero 5G, it’s fairly grating in how it is going about numerous issues. Caught between imitating iOS from the iPhone and Android options, it takes some being used to – that is striking it with politeness. 

Everything could be very sq. taking a look and folders, for some extraordinary explanation why, absorb the gap of 4 app icons despite the fact that there are simply two apps inside of. I do like the way in which you’ll be able to swipe between them as soon as one is expanded, regardless that. 

Some customers may additionally just like the sensible bar which you’ll be able to summon by means of swiping in from the facet of the display. It’s customisable and displays you some to hand gear and app shortcuts.

Infinix Note 12 G96 smart bar

The display to the left of the primary homescreen isn’t Google Feed but a rather random combine of latest apps and widgets akin to RAM utilization and successfully a shortcut to the Health app. Needless to mention, I’d a lot relatively have the common Google Feed. 

Like iOS, XOS splits the notification panel and fast settings on each side of the central digicam with the previous providing up an demanding listing of apps (a few of which don’t seem to be even put in) and the latter has a vertical slider for display brightness that some customers might hate. 

Infinix Note 12 G96 quick settings

Perhaps worst of all is the sheer quantity of bloatware at the software. From replica apps akin to Hi Browser to Boomplay which provides loose downloads of musical artists I’ve by no means heard of. In general, I make the bloat rely a whopping 20 apps. 

Price & Availability 

Despite some spectacular specifications, the Infinix Note 12 G96 is available in nicely beneath our worth cap for price range telephones. The most cost-effective fashion is solely US$199 getting you 8GB of RAM and 128GB garage. 

You can double that garage to 256GB and nonetheless simplest spend US$219, perhaps a savvy improve for lots of customers despite the fact that you’ll be able to upload a microSD card as a substitute. 

As it stands, there’s no data on a UK or European release. 

Check our chart of the absolute best price range telephones to look what different choices there are presently.

Verdict 

There’s rather a lot to love in regards to the Infinix Note 12 G96 beginning with the truth you get first rate core specifications even on the most cost-effective worth. A good processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of garage at beneath $200 is no doubt greater than many opponents. 

A big AMOLED display, first rate (in just right lights) major digicam and imaginable two-day battery lifestyles additionally makes it a tempting phone. 

However, there are a variety of downsides and issues that opponents be offering which grasp the Note 12 G96 again from scoring upper. 

The show is simplest 60Hz, there’s no 5G enhance, no IP waterproofing, the fingerprint scanner is overly delicate and worst of all, the XOS device is tricky to get on with thank you to a few abnormal alternatives and extra bloatware than I’ve noticed in a very long time. 

Specs

Infinix Note 12 G96: Specs

  • Android 12, XOS 10.6
  • 6.7in, Full HD+, LCD, 60Hz, flat show
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
  • MediaTek Helio G96
  • 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
  • 128/256GB garage
  • microSD card slot
  • 50Mp, f/1.6 major digicam
  • 2Mp intensity sensor
  • 16Mp selfie digicam
  • Up to 2K @ 30fps video
  • Dual-SIM
  • 4G
  • Wi-Fi 5 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • Bluetooth 5.2
  • 5000mAh battery
  • 33W charging
  • USB-C
  • Headphone jack
  • 165 x 77 x 7.9mm
  • 185g
  • Launch colors: Force black, Snowfall, Sapphire blue



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