Infinix Hot 40i: Prioritizing Essentials at an Affordable Price
When it comes to budget smartphones, especially 4G phones in the Rs 15,000 price range, I have two main expectations for any review period. First of all, the phone should get the basics right – it has good battery life, a sharp enough screen, bloated software and the like. Second, I want the phone to feel good in the hand, even if it’s made of cheaper materials like plastic (remember the Nexus 5?).
As you might have guessed from the title, the Infinix Hot 40i does many of these things while costing under Rs 10,000. Here, in this review, we understand how the Infinix Hot 40i stacks up, what’s against it, and ultimately, whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.
Display and design: a mix of old and new
Starting with the screen, you get a 6.56-inch IPS HD+ screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz. Compared to the brand’s cheaper Smart 8, there’s hardly any difference, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad panel. It is a good looking display for the price and fits nicely in the sub-Rs 10,000 price range. The frames are minimal for the price, which gives the phone a modern look. In fact, the hole for the front camera is not big at all either. You also have no complaints about color reproduction, but remember that it’s not an OLED panel, so keep your expectations in check.
When it comes to design, Infinix has stuck to the ‘what ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ formula. It has the same design language as the Smart 8 HD and Smart 8 counterparts. This means you get the same boxy, square design with a matte plastic panel on the back. The rear panel does a good job of avoiding finger oils and smudges, but the same cannot be said for the edges of the device, which are glossy instead of matte like the Smart 8. I think Infinix should have stuck to matte finishes. for both aesthetic and functional reasons.
However, I have the Palm Blue with me and it takes on a unique look when the light reflects off its back. This is where the device stands out and is likely to appeal to many people, especially with its large and shiny camera module.
Performance: Reasonable for the price you pay
When it comes to day-to-day use – be it browsing the web on Chrome, browsing X and Instagram, playing light games like Stardew Valley and Clash Royale – the Infinix Hot 40i’s performance is no problem. . It just does the job but don’t expect to play heavy while doing it as after some time you will face frame drops.
Another big advantage for power users is the 256 GB built-in memory, which can be expanded up to 2 TB with a microSD card. This can be a big boon for people who tend to store a lot of data on their phones and also install a lot of apps. In my opinion, the RAM memory management is also done properly. It reloads apps from time to time, but switching between Instagram, X, Gmail and WhatsApp was easy.
When it comes to heating and general smoothness, the octa-core Unisoc T606 chipset performs reasonably well, but don’t expect buttery performance every time. I used the device while navigating to Pushkar on my weekend motorbike trip, and here I encountered some stutters, but I’d say that was an isolated issue.
Camera: A 50-megapixel sensor can be competent in good hands
As far as optics are concerned, the Infinix Hot 40i gets a 50-megapixel primary camera capable of capturing images in 50-megapixel mode. It also includes a secondary depth sensor and a quad-LED flash. For selfies, there is a 32-megapixel front-facing camera capable of recording 1080P 30 FPS videos.
When it comes to the resulting images, the device can often blow out the highlights, which is to be expected in this price range, but this can be mitigated with a slight drop in exposure. You also need to expose for the highlights because I noticed you can bring out detail in the shadows in post. However, for the average consumer, it would do the job; you get decent pictures for the price.
One gripe I have though is that you have a hard time turning on portrait mode. Out of several attempts, I only got it to work a few times. And while I’m not much of a selfie-taker, the device produces images with enough detail that I feel the dedicated beauty mode will appeal to certain buyers. In addition, you also have a front flash to illuminate them in the dark. A rare sight, indeed. However, for example, I can live without it.
Overall, the camera experience is not bad at all. For Rs 9,499 you get decent optics, but one piece of feedback I have for all budget device makers is: try to integrate secondary AI/bokeh sensors. They hardly add value, and while I don’t see how it adds to the bill of materials (BOM), I’m sure the money could be spent on including a better primary sensor.
Here are more camera samples:
Battery life: two day phone for me
In my Infinix Smart 8 HD review, I said it wasn’t a two-day phone, despite having a modest amount of intervals and a substantial 5,000mAh battery cell. Here the Infinix Hot 40i is a different story. I could easily use it for two days, about 6-7 hours of screen time. These are good numbers, and even if you’re having a heavy day, you’ll definitely be able to make it through the end of the day without charging anxiety per se. However, keep in mind that it comes with an 18W charger, and considering the size of the battery, it will easily take around two hours to fully charge. If you are often in a hurry and want to charge your device quickly, you should look elsewhere.
Verdict: XOS 13 will make or break it for you
I left the software bit for a reason. Even though you’re getting a pretty powerful piece of hardware, the XOS 13 software experience with Hot 40i might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Software support is also still a difficulty in Infinix’s offering. In addition, there are also a bunch of pre-installed apps and bloatware that could have been avoided.
However, there are a number of features that come in handy with XOS, including the iPhone’s Dynamic Island-style “Magic Ring” feature that activates when you use Face Unlock, and others like Xboost and Xclone.
In addition, attention is paid to small things that I appreciate. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast, and the overall fit and finish is also decent for what you want.
Overall, if your budget is below Rs 10,000 and if XOS 13 is right for you, the Infinix Hot 40i can be a good option, especially with decent internals and a balanced overall experience.
