Finding a budget smartphone without compromise is tough. Enter the Infinix Note 40: flagship-like specs, striking design, and features you’d expect for twice the price. But does it deliver in real life? Let’s see if this is the all-rounder you’ve been waiting for.
Table of Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions: It’s Not Just A Phone
Designed right out of the box, you’re bound to notice the Infinix Note 40. You are met not just with the handset but with a full kit that acknowledges its priorities. Right out of the box, which also includes a 70W fast charger and a protective case, Infinix lets you know this is going to be all about the user experience.
The phone, then, has that luxury feel — the smooth feel in your hand and the big circular camera module. Our review unit — in the Titan Gold color we tested — caught the light beautifully, proving that you don’t need to make a phone look boring just because it’s budget. The flat sides add grip, and the overall build quality is firm for what you are spending.
Things that are really good about the Infinix Note 40: Highlights and Features
The Game-Changer: 70W All-Round Fast Charge
This is perhaps the Infinix Note 40’s killer feature. In a segment where “fast charging” often means 20W or 30W, a 70W charger in the box is an enormous leap.
Speed Demon: We’re talking a 0-50% charge in about 15 minutes, and a full fill-up in less than 45. This is a new way to use your phone. A short plug-in while you’re in the shower and eating breakfast is good for hours of use.
No More Wired: The invention goes further with magnetic charging. With an optional accessory (the X-Booster kit), the Note 40 offers a wireless-like magnetic charging experience, virtually unheard of in this category. This makes it a great choice for your desk or bedside.
Bypass Charging: A favorite among pro-gamers and power-users alike, Bypass Charging lets you plug your phone in to charge directly from the charger while bypassing the battery for a faster gaming experience, lower temperatures, and reduced battery stress.
Charging Speed Comparison Table:
Activity Duration
Estimated Charge Gained
10 minutes
~40%
15 minutes
~50%
30 minutes
~85%
Full Charge
~45 minutes
Visual Feast: The Becoming 6.78-inch AMOLED Screen
This isn’t the era of lackluster LCDs on budget phones. The Note 40 features a gorgeous 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Butter Smooth Scrolling: A 120Hz display (which refreshes the screen 120 times per second) offers much smoother visuals than 60Hz-90Hz displays (which refresh at 60-90 times per second). This higher refresh rate also reduces onscreen flicker, providing a more comfortable viewing experience.
Bright and Punchy: thanks to AMOLED, you get actual black, saturated colors, and great contrast. For watching videos, looking at photos, or gaming, it’s a delight.
Bright Enough: When turned all the way up, it’s still usable even in direct sunlight, a frequent complaint among cheaper models.
Reliable Performance: Helio G99 Ultimate
The performance is driven by the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate SoC, a system-on-chip made on a power-efficient 6nm process (meaning more power in a smaller, more efficient chip). Supported by up to 8GB of RAM, expandable via virtual memory from storage, this combination is designed to deliver reliable, day-to-day performance.
Everyday Driver: It’s effective for social media, messages, streaming , and browsing. This means app switching is snappy, and there’s no perceivable lag in the interface.
Gaming Capable: Rather than maxing out Gentian Impact at 60fps, hot titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile run well at medium to high settings. The efficient chip also means less heat when you’re playing for longer periods.
Clean Software: Coming with Android 14 on top of Infinix’s XOS 14, the good news is that it is cleaner than previous iterations, with newer customizations and less bloatware.
Versatile Camera System: Capture the Moment
The circular camera island houses a 108MP main sensor, supported by additional lenses. The results are impressive for the price.
Detail in Daylight: The 108MP sensor captures a wealth of detail in good lighting. You can crop in significantly without the image falling apart.
Surprising Low-Light: The Super Night Mode does a commendable job of brightening scenes and controlling noise, making evening snaps shareable.
Fun with Video: Features like Dual-View Video let you record with the front and back cameras simultaneously—perfect for vloggers or capturing your reaction to an event.
How Does It Stack Up? The Real-World Usage Test
The Infinix Note 10 continued to impress during my two weeks of daily use. The 5000mAh battery reliably lasted a day and a half with moderate use, and 70W charging was invaluable on heavy days.
The display was enjoyable, even when I looked up from the road, and performance remained consistently smooth during daily tasks. This phone gets the essentials right and adds flash charging as a distinct advantage.
FAQs
Q1: Who makes Infinix phones? A: Infinix is a smartphone brand owned by Transsion Holdings, a large Chinese electronics manufacturer with a major focus on emerging markets.
Q2: Is Infinix better than Samsung? A: It depends. Samsung offers a stronger brand reputation, wider software support, and broader global availability. Infinix provides exceptional value for money, often packing higher-wattage charging and newer features at a much lower price point than equivalent Samsung models.
Q3: Is Infinix Note 40 4G or 5G? A: The standard Infinix Note 40 is a 4G/LTE device. It does not support 5G connectivity. Infinix has a separate model, the Note 40 Pro 5G, for users who require 5G speeds.
Q4: How old is the Infinix Note 40? A: The Infinix Note 40 series was announced and first released in April 2024, making it a very recent and current-generation smartphone as of this writing.
Q5: Who is the owner of Infinix Mobile? A: Infinix Mobile is owned by Transsion Holdings, the same parent company that owns other popular brands like TECNO and itel.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Infinix Note 40?
The Infinix Note 40 is not just a budget phone; it’s an outright statement. It solves the single most universal smartphone pain point — battery stress — and eradicates it with awesome charging technology. But it doesn’t stop there. It pairs that with a stunning display, solid performance, and a capable camera - all in a design that looks and feels fantastic.
