Infinix Note 12 G96

Infinix Note 12 G96 Full Review: Power, Style, and Speed in One Affordable Package

When Infinix announced the Infinix Note 12 G96, it immediately caught the attention of smartphone enthusiasts looking for a device that blends strong performance, sleek design, and affordability. Positioned as an upgrade to the standard Note 12 model, the G96 edition brings a more powerful processor and an enhanced multimedia experience that makes it stand out in the midrange lineup of its release year.

In a smartphone market saturated with options, the Note 12 G96 sets itself apart by offering premium-like performance at a price point accessible to everyday users. Whether you’re a gamer, a content creator, a student, or someone who simply wants a reliable smartphone that feels responsive and modern, the Note 12 G96 arrives as a compelling choice.

This review breaks down everything you need to know, from design and display to camera performance, gaming capabilities, battery life, and real-world usage, so you can truly understand what the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers.

Design and Build Quality

Right out of the box, the Infinix Note 12 G96 gives off a premium aesthetic many wouldn’t expect at its price point. The phone features a slim body with flat edges, a glossy yet refined rear panel, and well-curved corners for a comfortable grip. Despite packing a large battery and a sizable display, the device remains surprisingly lightweight and easy to handle.

The camera module sits neatly on the top left corner, providing a modern, polished look without being overly bulky. Infinix also paid attention to the button placement, ensuring that the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button is not only responsive but also conveniently accessible.

Available in colors like Force Black, Snowfall Blue, and Champagne Gold, the Note 12 G96 gives users options that align with both professional and youthful vibes.

Display: A Truly Immersive AMOLED Experience

One of the standout features of the Infinix Note 12 G96 is its vibrant 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. This screen delivers punchy colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast levels, instantly elevating the multimedia and gaming experience.

Whether you are watching movies, scrolling through social media, browsing the web, or reading e-books, the AMOLED panel offers crisp visuals with great clarity. Sunlight visibility is respectable thanks to improved brightness levels, making it easier to use outdoors.

Even though the display stays at a standard 60Hz refresh rate, the smooth UI optimization ensures everyday tasks feel fluid and responsive.

Performance: Helio G96 A Significant Upgrade

Under the hood, the Note 12 G96 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G96 processor, which is designed for gaming and heavy multitasking. Compared to the regular Note 12’s Helio G88, the G96 chipset offers noticeable improvements in speed, stability, and graphics handling.

Paired with 8GB of RAM (with Infinix’s virtual RAM expansion feature boosting it up to 13GB), the device performs exceptionally well under heavy use. Switching between apps is seamless, animations feel smooth, and even demanding games like PUBG Mobile, Free Fire, and Call of Duty Mobile run well at medium-to-high settings.

For a midrange device during its release year, the gaming performance is one of the biggest selling points.

Camera Performance

The Infinix Note 12 G96 packs a triple-camera system:

• 50MP main sensor
• 2MP depth sensor
• AI lens

In daylight conditions, the 50MP sensor produces sharp, detailed, and color-accurate photos. The dynamic range is significantly improved compared to its predecessors, making outdoor photos vibrant and rich.

Portrait mode performs well, delivering good edge detection, while low-light shots are acceptable thanks to Infinix’s night mode enhancements. Although there’s no dedicated ultra-wide lens, the primary camera’s clarity compensates for basic photography needs.

On the front, the 16MP selfie camera handles skin tones nicely and includes AI features for beauty enhancement, perfect for social media content or video calls.

Video recording is capped at 1080p, but stabilization features help reduce shakiness for everyday recording.

Battery Life and Charging

Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the Infinix Note 12 G96 easily lasts a full day under moderate to heavy usage. From streaming to gaming to browsing, the battery optimization is efficient, ensuring users don’t constantly worry about frequent charging.

When you do need a recharge, the 33W fast charging technology gets you from 0% to around 70% in about 30 minutes, quite impressive for a midrange device of its release era.

Software and Features

Running on XOS, Infinix’s custom skin, the software offers a colorful interface packed with useful tools like:

• Social Turbo
• XArena gaming mode
• Smart panel
• Peak Proof
• Lightning Multi-window

The deep customization options allow users to personalize their device to suit their lifestyle.

XOS also brings better RAM management and power efficiency, improving the overall performance of the Note 12 G96.

Audio, Connectivity, and Additional Features

The dual-speaker setup delivers loud and crisp audio, making movie watching and gaming more immersive. For its price, the sound quality is surprisingly rich and balanced.

Connectivity options include:

• 4G LTE
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 5.0
• NFC (market-dependent)
• USB-C port
• 3.5mm headphone jack

The inclusion of a headphone jack remains a fan-favorite feature, especially for gamers and audiophiles.

Storage and Expandability

The Note 12 G96 comes with 128GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for most users. However, if you are a heavy content creator, the dedicated microSD card slot supports expansion up to 512GB.

This means you can store more videos, apps, photos, and games without worrying about running out of space.

Real-World Usage Experience

In real-life scenarios, the Infinix Note 12 G96 proves to be reliable, fast, and comfortable to use. From its smooth app performance to its sharp display and strong battery life, the device fits perfectly into the daily routine of students, workers, and creatives.

Multitasking feels effortless, and gaming performance is far better than many competing smartphones in a similar price category during its release year.

If you’re someone who values performance and style without breaking the bank, the Infinix Note 12 G96 stands as a strong contender.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful Helio G96 processor
• Stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED display
• Light and premium design
• Excellent battery life with 33W fast charging
• Good camera performance, especially in daylight
• Dual speakers for enhanced multimedia experience
• Expandable storage and virtual RAM support

Cons

• No high refresh rate display
• No ultra-wide camera
• Some bloatware in XOS
• 1080p video recording limit

Release-Year Price of Infinix Note 12 G96

At launch, the Infinix Note 12 G96 was priced affordably across different markets:

• Nigeria (Naira): ₦150,000 – ₦165,000
• United States (Dollar): $250 – $270
• United Kingdom (Pounds): £190 – £210
• India (Rupee): ₹18,000 – ₹20,000

These prices made the device one of the best value-for-money smartphones in its segment during its release year.

Conclusion

The Infinix Note 12 G96 proves to be more than just a midrange smartphone, it delivers a premium experience at a price that remains accessible to a wide range of users. From its powerful processor and AMOLED display to its impressive battery life and overall aesthetic appeal, the device meets the demands of modern smartphone users.

If you needed a reliable device in its release year for gaming, content creation, photography, or everyday productivity, the Infinix Note 12 G96 certainly delivered on all fronts.

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