Infinix, a brand that’s been gradually making its mark in the budget and mid-range smartphone markets, has launched the Infinix Note 40 5G. This device promises a blend of affordability, performance, and 5G connectivity, making it a compelling choice for those looking for a future-proof smartphone without breaking the bank. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into every aspect of the Infinix Note 40 5G to see if it lives up to the hype.
Design and Build Quality
The Infinix Note 40 5G features a modern design that aligns with current smartphone trends. The device boasts a sleek and slim profile with dimensions of 165.5 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use. The back panel has a glossy finish with a subtle gradient that shifts under different lighting conditions, giving it a premium look. The camera module is positioned in the top left corner, and the Infinix branding is subtly placed towards the bottom.
The build quality is impressive for a budget device. The phone’s frame is made of durable plastic, which helps keep the weight down to a manageable 190 grams. While it doesn’t have the heft of a metal or glass phone, it doesn’t feel cheap either. The front is dominated by a large 6.8-inch display with minimal bezels and a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera, giving it a modern, edge-to-edge look.
Display
The Infinix Note 40 5G sports a 6.8-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels. This results in a pixel density of around 395 PPI, ensuring sharp and detailed visuals. The display supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations feel smoother compared to traditional 60Hz screens.
Color reproduction is vibrant and the display is capable of producing deep blacks and bright whites, although it lacks the punchiness of an AMOLED panel. Viewing angles are decent, and the screen remains readable under direct sunlight, thanks to its peak brightness of 500 nits. The large screen size makes it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.
Performance
Under the hood, the Infinix Note 40 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset, a mid-range processor designed to balance performance and power efficiency. The octa-core CPU comprises two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. This is paired with the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, which handles graphics-intensive tasks.
The device comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and offers 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot. In everyday use, the Infinix Note 40 5G handles multitasking with ease. Apps open quickly, and switching between them is smooth, thanks in part to the 90Hz refresh rate. Gaming performance is respectable for its class, with titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile running smoothly at medium to high settings.
Software
The Infinix Note 40 5G runs on XOS 10.6, which is based on Android 12. XOS is a custom skin that offers a range of features and customization options. It includes a variety of pre-installed apps and utilities, some of which can be considered bloatware, but most can be uninstalled if not needed.
XOS 10.6 brings a refreshed user interface with a clean and modern design. It includes features like a system-wide dark mode, customizable themes, and gesture-based navigation. The notification shade and quick settings menu have been revamped for easier access to frequently used settings. Infinix has also included its own set of security features, such as a smart scanner and app lock, to enhance privacy.
While XOS is feature-rich, it may not appeal to everyone due to its heavy customization compared to stock Android. However, those who enjoy tweaking their device will find plenty to like.
Camera
The camera setup on the Infinix Note 40 5G is versatile, featuring a triple-camera configuration on the rear. The primary sensor is a 48MP lens with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro lens. On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera housed in the punch-hole cutout.
Rear Camera
The 48MP main sensor captures detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. Colors are well-reproduced, and dynamic range is decent. Infinix’s AI enhancements help to optimize scenes automatically, although it can sometimes result in slightly over-processed images. The depth sensor aids in portrait shots, providing a pleasing background blur effect, though edge detection can occasionally be hit-or-miss.
The macro lens allows for close-up shots, but its 2MP resolution limits the detail and quality of these images. It’s a fun addition, but not something you’ll use frequently. Low-light performance is average; the camera struggles to capture enough light, resulting in noisy and less detailed photos. There’s a dedicated night mode, but it doesn’t drastically improve the results.
Front Camera
The 16MP front camera produces sharp and detailed selfies in good lighting. The AI beauty mode can be adjusted to enhance facial features, but it can sometimes over-smooth skin, making photos look unnatural. In low-light conditions, the front camera also struggles, but the screen flash feature helps to some extent.
Battery Life
Battery life is a strong suit for the Infinix Note 40 5G. It comes equipped with a massive 5000mAh battery, which easily provides a full day of use on a single charge, even with heavy usage. With moderate use, you can stretch it to two days. The device supports 18W fast charging, which is a bit on the slower side compared to some competitors, but it’s still a welcome feature at this price point.
In our testing, the phone took about 2 hours to go from 0% to 100% using the included charger. There’s no support for wireless charging, which is expected in this price range.
Connectivity and Extras
The Infinix Note 40 5G, as the name suggests, supports 5G connectivity, ensuring you’re ready for the next generation of mobile networks. It also includes dual SIM support, which is great for those who need to manage multiple numbers or travel frequently.
Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. The phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is increasingly rare in modern smartphones, but appreciated by many users.
Audio
The audio performance of the Infinix Note 40 5G is decent for a mid-range device. The bottom-firing speaker produces loud and clear sound, but it lacks bass and can sound tinny at higher volumes. For a better audio experience, it’s recommended to use headphones or external speakers. The inclusion of DTS audio processing helps to enhance sound quality when using headphones.
Security
For security, the Infinix Note 40 5G offers both a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and facial recognition. The fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable, positioned conveniently for natural use. Face unlock works well in good lighting conditions but can struggle in low-light environments.
Verdict
The Infinix Note 40 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a lot of value for its price. It combines a modern design, a large and vibrant display, solid performance, and excellent battery life, all while supporting 5G connectivity. The camera performance is decent for casual photography, though it’s not the best in low-light conditions.
The software experience is feature-rich but may not appeal to everyone due to its heavy customization. However, the ability to uninstall most pre-installed apps helps mitigate this issue. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly 5G smartphone with a large display and good overall performance, the Infinix Note 40 5G is worth considering.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable 5G Connectivity: One of the most budget-friendly 5G smartphones available.
- Large, High-Quality Display: 6.8-inch Full HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate.
- Good Performance: MediaTek Dimensity 810 chipset handles most tasks with ease.
- Excellent Battery Life: 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage.
- Feature-Rich Software: XOS 10.6 offers a range of customization options.
Cons:
- Average Camera Performance: Struggles in low-light conditions and with the macro lens.
- Slow Charging: 18W fast charging is slower compared to some competitors.
- Heavy Customization: XOS may not appeal to those who prefer a stock Android experience.
In conclusion,
the Infinix Note 40 5G stands out as a strong contender in the budget 5G smartphone segment. It delivers on essential aspects such as design, display, performance, and battery life, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to upgrade to a 5G device without spending a fortune.