An international smartphone line that may not catch the eye of Western consumers is Infinix, a manufacturer known for creating high-quality devices targeted at emerging markets. At TalkAndroid, we've had the pleasure of trying out a few of Infinix's new designs, and now we've had the chance to experience one of its recent releases – the Note 40 Pro+. This model is equipped with top-of-the-line features like a 108MP primary camera, a 100W wired charger, and a 120Hz OLED screen available for a mere $300. It also supports 5G technology and features numerous AI capabilities.
The Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G kicks off with a good thank you for its charming rear panel, sporting a Vintage Green hue. Together with the gold plastic frame, the phone exudes a trendy vibe and distinguishes itself from pricier competitors. The curved sides of the display might bother people who like things flat, but they really enhance the overall look.
On the other side, you'll find a volume switch and a power switch on the right, a SIM card slot, a USB-C connection, and a speaker compartment at the base. The upper part is marked with "Sound by JBL" branding alongside another speaker compartment and an IR blaster.
Equipped with MediaTek's moderately priced Dimensity 7020 chip, the Note 40 Pro+ 5G features a memory capacity of 12GB and comes with 256GB of in-built storage. Although it may not be considered the top-of-the-line processor by MediaTek, its features are more than enough, especially when you look at how they stack up against the price. Switching between apps and tackling different jobs is effortless. Enjoying games and viewing videos are also great, though you might have to adjust the graphics to a medium level for a more seamless experience. Altogether, it's a phone priced at $300.
The AMOLED screen is sufficiently luminous for outdoor use, featuring vivid hues and profound blacks typical of this kind of display technology. The integrated fingerprint scanner is usually exact, though it occasionally produces false positives.
The sound quality is sufficient for casual listening sessions, but unlike many, if not all, smartphones, you shouldn't anticipate it rivaling that of a purpose-built speaker.
This battery might have a capacity of 4,600mAh, which is just a mere 100mAh more than the Motorola Edge 50 Pro's model, yet it manages to power through the day with everyday activities. What counts as everyday activities? That includes playing in my city in Age of Origins, checking and responding to emails, tweaking articles, watching a few YouTube clips, and, naturally, using WhatsApp and snapping photos of my cat. By the time the day's over, there's typically about 20% of the battery remaining.
Once you've reached the point of no return, the Note 40 Pro+ 5G's advanced 100W AllRound FastCharge 2.0 technology shines brightly. Supported by Infinix's Cheetah X1 power management chip, the device can be fully charged in a mere 29 minutes with the provided charger. Indeed, in contrast to Samsung or Google, Infinix includes a 100W wall charger as part of the package.
However, there are other features. The Note 40 Pro+ 5G also can support a 20W Wireless MagCharge. To use this, you'll need the MagKit, which is once more provided in the package. The MagKit includes the MagCharge Case, which is designed for wireless charging. This case is not your average TPU case; it's made from the same material as the phone's rear panel and offers a comfortable grip. Once connected, the case supports wireless charging at 20W and the option to reverse charge at 5W (10W Wired).
Utilizing XOS 14, which is derived from Android 14, the Note 40 Pro+ 5G is expected to get two significant enhancements and three years of security updates. While it falls short of the Samsung software support criteria, it significantly surpasses the security features of some Motorola-priced devices that are comparable in terms of price.
The XOS 14 boasts a wide array of features, which is entirely unexpected given its price point. Key highlights include the Active Halo, a feature Infinix boasts will "ignite captivating discussions with stunning lighting effects from Folax AI." In reality, it's just an excellent LED light that also serves as a variable flash. It's definitely intriguing, and it's even possible to personalize it to flash in specific colors to indicate a message, call, or other notifications.
Regarding the Folax AI chatbot that's pre-installed, it's grounded in GPT-3.5, limiting its ability to use data to July 2021. Inquiring about more recent happenings or data might lead to inaccurate results. It's wiser to deactivate it and opt for CoPilot or Gemini instead.
Beyond the unnecessary software that can be deleted, XOS 14 is highly functional and provides numerous personalization options, allowing you to tailor the Note 40 Pro+ 5G to your preferences. The Ring Portal (Infinix's version of Apple's Dynamic Island) is handy for displaying alerts and the current song playing.
The 108MP back camera is only a part of the whole back camera setup; we should also overlook the somewhat insignificant 2MP close-up and depth sensors. Instead, let's focus on the primary camera, which is equipped with PDAF and OIS. Be careful not to get overly excited; sadly, this is the edge Infinix sacrificed to incorporate all the top-notch features.
Photos often appear slightly blurry and dull. The Note 40 Pro+ 5G's camera configuration could be better for low-light situations, but it manages to capture video in 2K quality without much trouble in bright conditions. In general, the primary camera is sufficient for its intended purpose, which is all it needs to do.
Given that the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G is available at a price below $400, it provides excellent value for money. It features a high-quality AMOLED screen, speedy charging, 20W wireless charging with the MagCharge case, and a stylish vegan leather back case. The phone excels in various areas. Although the rear camera could improve, it still delivers satisfactory photos and supports 2K video for sharing on social media.
At this level of cost, you'll be compelled to seek out a competitor that can rival the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G; the sole exception is that it's not currently available for purchase in Western regions through authorized outlets. However, if you're looking for a fresh, budget-friendly device packed with high-end features and manage to secure one, you'll discover numerous appealing aspects of the Note 40 Pro+ 5G from Infinix.