infinix hot 12

 

Infinix Hot 12: The Ultimate Budget Phone in 2025?

In a world where flagship phones are touching price tags that can empty your bank account faster than a Black Friday sale, the Infinix Hot 12 shows up like a budget-friendly superhero. It’s affordable, stylish, and surprisingly powerful for its price. But does it actually deliver what it promises, or is it just another entry-level phone trying to ride the budget hype train?

If you’ve been considering the Infinix Hot 12, whether to buy it, recommend it, or just stay informed, let’s dive deep. No fluff. No gimmicks. Just straight talk.

What is the Infinix Hot 12?

Launched as part of Infinix’s Hot series, the Hot 12 is targeted at the budget-conscious market. It tries to strike a balance between affordability, design, performance, and usability. It’s designed to offer a smooth smartphone experience without costing a fortune.

It doesn’t claim to compete with flagship devices like the Galaxy S series or iPhones — and it shouldn’t. But in its price range, it’s gunning for the top spot. So let’s break down what you’re actually getting for your money.

Infinix Hot 12: Key Specifications

Here’s a quick look at the spec sheet that the Infinix Hot 12 comes with:

• Display: 6.82-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1612), 90Hz refresh rate
  
  

• Processor: MediaTek Helio G85
  
  

• RAM & Storage: 4GB/6GB RAM with 128GB internal storage
  
  

• Rear Camera: Triple - 13 MP (main) + 2 MP + AI lens
  
  

• Front Camera: 8 MP
  
  

• Battery: 5000 mAh with 18W fast charging
  
  

• Operating System: Android 11 with XOS 10.6
  
  

• Fingerprint Sensor: Rear-mounted
  
  

• Face Unlock: Yes
  
  

• Price: Varies, generally under PKR 35,000 (around $125)
  
  

Design and Display: Big Screen Energy

The 6.82-inch screen is one of the most noticeable features. If you love watching videos, scrolling through TikTok, or gaming on a large screen, this phone’s size will not disappoint.

The 90Hz refresh rate? That’s a big W for this price range. Most phones in this category are still stuck at 60Hz. So having that smoother UI and scrolling experience is rare and genuinely impressive.

But let’s be real—it’s an LCD panel and only HD+ resolution. So don’t expect colors to pop or blacks to be inky deep. However, for day-to-day use, watching YouTube, playing games, and checking socials, it does the job quite well.

Performance: Surprisingly Smooth

Here’s where things get interesting. The MediaTek Helio G85 isn’t a flagship chip, but it punches above its weight in the budget market. Combined with 4GB or 6GB of RAM (plus Infinix’s memory fusion tech to add virtual RAM), the phone runs fairly smooth.

Apps open quickly. Navigation is responsive. Casual games like PUBG Mobile Lite, Free Fire, and even Asphalt 9 run decently well on low to medium settings.

You won’t be doing high-end video editing or hardcore gaming here, but for everyday tasks — browsing, calling, texting, light gaming, watching videos — the performance is solid.

Multitasking? It handles 4–5 apps without breaking a sweat.

Software: XOS — Love It or Hate It

The phone ships with Android 11, skinned with Infinix’s custom UI called XOS 10.6. It’s functional but... let’s call it “busy.”

There are quite a few pre-installed apps (read: bloatware). Some can be uninstalled, but not all. There’s a lot going on in the interface — themes, gestures, smart panel, magic ring — which can be overwhelming.

But here’s the deal: once you get used to it or customize it your way, it works. And it offers features like a game mode, social turbo for WhatsApp enhancements, and one-handed mode.

Just don’t expect lightning-fast OS updates. Infinix isn’t known for timely Android upgrades, and Android 11 in 2025 feels outdated.

Camera: Basic, But Gets the Job Done

Let’s not pretend the Hot 12 has a pro camera setup. It doesn’t. The 13 MP main sensor takes decent photos in good lighting. Colors are okay, details are decent, and the camera app is simple.

The 2 MP depth sensor and AI lens are more for show than functionality. Low light photos? Pretty noisy. Night mode? It exists, but it’s more of a “nightmare” mode if you expect too much.

Selfies with the 8 MP front camera are fine for social media but don’t expect pixel-perfect detail.

Is this a content creator’s dream phone? No. But for casual Instagram posts, TikTok videos, and WhatsApp selfies — it’s totally usable.

Battery Life: The Real MVP

The 5000 mAh battery is a beast. With average use, you’re looking at a full day and a half easily. Even with heavy usage — gaming, data, and video watching — you’ll comfortably get through the day.

It comes with 18W fast charging, which isn’t blazing fast, but better than the 10W bricks many phones still come with. It charges from 0 to 100% in around two hours.

If you’re always on the go, this battery won’t leave you stranded.

Connectivity and Extras

The Infinix Hot 12 includes dual SIM slots, a dedicated microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack — things we love to see sticking around.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS — all the essentials are here. Fingerprint scanner is at the back, and while not the fastest, it's reliable. Face unlock is decent too.

One thing to note: no 5G support. But at this price, expecting 5G is just dreaming too hard.

Who Should Buy the Infinix Hot 12?

This phone is clearly made for a specific crowd:

• Students who want a solid daily driver without overspending
  
  

• Casual users who care more about functionality than flagship features
  
  

• Secondary phone seekers — perfect as a backup or work device
  
  

• Gamers on a budget who want to play but don’t care about ultra settings
  
  

• Social media scrollers — perfect for YouTube, Insta, TikTok, etc.
  
  

If you're expecting a DSLR camera or Snapdragon 8-series performance, you're gonna be disappointed. But if you're just tired of overpriced phones and want something that works and lasts — the Hot 12 is a smart pick.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Pros

• Big display with 90Hz refresh rate
  
  

• Solid battery life
  
  

• Decent performance for the price
  
  

• Clean design and build quality
  
  

• Expandable storage + headphone jack
  
  

• Affordable
  
  

Cons

• Cameras are average at best
  
  

• Still on Android 11
  
  

• Some bloatware in the UI
  
  

• No 5G support
  
  

• Not the sharpest display
  
  

Final Verdict: Worth It in 2025?

If you want a solid phone without blowing your wallet to pieces, the Infinix Hot 12 is still a competitive option in 2025. Sure, it doesn’t bring crazy new features, but it nails the essentials: smooth performance, a big screen, reliable battery life, and an affordable price.

It’s not revolutionary, but it’s real. And in a world of fake hype and overpriced gimmicks, that kind of honesty matters.

Would I recommend it over a used flagship? Depends on your needs. But for someone who wants new, warranty-backed, no-fuss daily performance, the Hot 12 makes a strong case for itself.