8 Pros and Cons of Infinix Note 40
The Infinix Note 40 and Infinix Note 40 Pro officially entered the market on March, 2024. Similar to their predecessors, the Infinix Note 40 is priced starting from $150, while the 40 Pro is set starting from $250.
Infinix is a brand that frequently focuses on battery features. For instance, the Infinix Note 12 VIP was the first phone in the middle price range to offer 120-watt fast charging.
The Infinix Note 30 Pro also introduced wireless charging, despite being a budget-friendly phone. Now, the Infinix Note 40 comes packed with even more charging options, including the MagCharge feature, which is a notable innovation for Android devices.
For those looking for a $150 phone, the Infinix Note 40 is an interesting choice, especially if you're looking for the latest charging features. Check out the full list of pros and cons of the Infinix Note 40 below.
Pros of Infinix Note 40
The Infinix Note 40 offers several advantages, particularly in performance, display, design, and camera quality. Curious about its other strengths? Read on for a detailed explanation.
1. Powerful Performance with Helio G99 Ultimate
Helio G99 Ultimate is a 4G chipset that has high performance. Even among other 4G chips, Helio G99 has stand out performance and can rival Dimensity chips.
The naming “Ultimate” on this chipset indicates that there is an improvement over the regular Helio G99. However, in fact, Ultimate and the regular variant have exactly the same specifications.
If you look at the Helio G99 Ultra version on the POCO M6 Pro, the only addition provided is the in-sensor zoom feature up to 2x, the rest is unchanged. It could be that Ultimate here also refers to the camera capability sector.
The Helio G99 Ultimate on the Infinix Note 40 features a 6 nm fabrication. Its performance relies on Cortex A76 and Cortex A55 processors in a 2+6 formation, 2.2 GHz and 2.0 GHz clusters respectively. Exactly the same as the regular Helio G99.
In graphics processing (GPU), the chipset is equipped with Mali G57 MC2 running at a frequency of 1,100 MHz. The chipset has support for LPDDR4x RAM at a frequency of 2,133 MHz up to 12 GB, as well as UFS 2.2 storage.
The Infinix Note 40 is also packed with a combination of 8 GB LPDDR4x RAM and 256 GB UFS 2.2 storage. Reporting from Tdevelops on YouTube, the Inifnix Note 40 achieved Geekbench 6 scores worth 731 points (single-core) and 2,008 points (multi-core).
The benchmark results mentioned above align with those reported by Oscarmini on YouTube, showing 736 points for single-core and 1,982 points for multi-core performance. On AnTuTu v10, the device achieved a score of 317,242 points.
The Infinix Note 40 also scored 1,341 points in the Wild Life 3D test, with an average frame rate of 8.04 FPS.
According to test results shared by Eugoson Quorch on YouTube, the Infinix Note 40 can handle all your favorite games smoothly without overheating. Multitasking was also smooth and seamless.
Phones powered by the Helio G99, like the Infinix Note 40, can generally run heavy games with ease. For instance, Genshin Impact can maintain a stable 30 FPS even on the lowest graphics settings.
2. Attractive Design, Impressive “Active Halo” Feature
The Infinix Note 40 looks stunning with its plain back body and rectangular camera bump. The sharp corners on the camera module give a bold and futuristic impression.
Adding to its aesthetic appeal is the ring-shaped Active Halo light, which not only enhances the phone's design but also serves a functional purpose. This light illuminates when the phone receives notifications, charges, plays music, runs games, or receives calls.
The body of the Infinix Note 40 is made with the Skyscraper Metalline Finish concept to display the sensation of a skyscraper. One look at the phone's rear body and you can immediately see the metropolitan aura emanating.
The smartphone also sports a flat frame design called Unibody Skyline Framing, revealing firm and tight sides to emphasize top-notch build quality.
Available in two colors—Obsidian Black (deep black) and Titan Gold (golden yellow)—the device is not only visually appealing but also comfortable to hold.
Weighing 190 grams and measuring just 7.8 mm thick, with dimensions of 164.1 mm in length and 74.5 mm in width, the phone is slim enough to remain comfortable during extended use, even if it's not the lightest on the market.
3. AMOLED Display with Slim Bezels and High Brightness
The Infinix Note 40 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 10-bit color depth, Full HD+ 1080p resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a 1,500 Hz touch sampling rate. The screen offers an immersive viewing experience with its slim 2.1 mm bezels and a high body-to-screen ratio of up to 94 percent.
This phone includes an in-display fingerprint sensor for instant screen unlocking. The display can reach a peak brightness of 1,300 nits and has a contrast ratio of 10 million to 1.
To minimize eye strain from blue light, the screen is TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light certified. Additionally, it features 2,160 Hz PWM Dimming to reduce flicker in low-light conditions.
According to MobileTechGist on YouTube, the Infinix Note 40 provides a pleasant visual experience, particularly for watching YouTube and using social media. The screen is also durable against scratches, thanks to a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass, though the specific version is not specified.
4. 108 MP Camera
The Infinix Note 40 features a rear camera setup with three lenses: a 108 MP f/1.9 main sensor with PDAF, a 2 MP depth sensor, and a third camera of unspecified function and resolution.
With its high-resolution main sensor, the device supports the Lossless 3X SuperZoom feature, allowing for detailed images even when zoomed in.
The Infinix Note 40 offers a range of photography features, including Vlog Clipper for turning photos into vlog content with templates, Dual Video for recording from both the front and rear cameras simultaneously, Sky Shop for modifying the sky, portrait mode, and Super Night for low-light photography.
While the camera supports up to 60 FPS recording at 1080p, it's advisable to use the 30 FPS mode for video recording to take advantage of the stabilization feature. According to the Eugoson Quorch channel, this mode provides extremely stable video with accurate colors, even during panning or while walking.
Additionally, the rear camera can record 1440p (2K) video at 30 FPS. The front camera features a 32 MP wide-angle sensor with a 1/3.1 inch size and f/2.2 aperture. Here are some sample photos.
Source: YouTube/Eugoson Quorch
Source: YouTube/MobileTechGist
Source: YouTube/MobileTechGistThe portrait selfie mode looks good with a creamy bokeh effect. The dynamic range looks quite wide, the sky really shows its true texture without looking washed out.
Details are well preserved and noise levels are well controlled. Skin tones are accurate and natural. The photo quality on this phone puts it among the best in the low price class.
5. Multipurpose NFC Capabilities
In contrast to its predecessor series, the Infinix Note 40 now features a fingerprint sensor on the screen instead of the side. The device also has a multipurpose NFC feature that can not only check and top up eMoney balances, but can also store office and apartment door access card data.
The phone is also equipped with other sensors, such as compass, gyroscope, proximity, and accelerometer sensors. The Infinix Note 40 comes with an on-the-go USB-C 2.0 charging port, which can be used to charge other devices via reverse wired charging.
Unfortunately, while the Pro version offers an infrared port, this Infinix Note 40 does not. So the device cannot be used as a TV remote and air conditioner universally.
6. Long-lasting Battery with Versatile Charging Features
The Infinix Note 40 is equipped with an independent power management chip in the form of the Infinix Cheetah X1. This chip incorporates three core modules aimed at offering the fastest, smartest, and safest charging duration in the low price segment.
The phone's battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh. Infinix claims that a battery charged from empty for 5 minutes can support 1.6 hours of gaming, 6.5 hours of calling, 3.8 hours of video playback, and 1.8 hours of map navigation.
The Infinix Note 40 supports 45W Multi-Speed FastCharge, one of the fastest in the budget category, comparable to the charging power of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Users can choose from three charging modes:
- Low Temperature Mode: Reduces the temperature to 7°C.
- Smart Mode: Charges the battery to 50% in 26 minutes, focusing on safety. Infinix claims that the battery will last a full day even after 1,600 charging cycles.
- Hyper Mode: Achieves 50% charge in just 19 minutes, offering faster charging speeds.
Under light to medium usage, the Infinix Note 40 can last an entire day. According to Eugoson Quorch on YouTube, the phone can last up to 10 hours when continuously watching YouTube.
Additionally, the phone features bypass charging, which directs power directly to the motherboard instead of the battery. This reduces battery degradation over time and helps lower the device's temperature during use.
7. Compatible with MagCharge Accessories and Comes with a Comprehensive Sales Package
In addition to its impressive charging features, the Infinix Note 40 introduces a unique feature called MagCharge, which is similar to Apple's MagSafe. MagCharge allows for wireless charging through magnetic attachment, offering convenience and functionality.
MagCharge is part of the Infinix MagKit ecosystem, which includes a magnetic case, wireless charging pad, and wireless power bank—all of which come included in the sales package. It's quite remarkable to get this kind of value with a $150 phone, giving users a lot for their money.
Along with these accessories, the Infinix Note 40's box also includes tempered glass and a 45W original charger, so there's no need to buy a charger separately, as required by some other brands.
8. JBL Stereo Speakers for Outstanding Sound Quality
JBL is a renowned leader in the speaker industry, known for its exceptional quality. The Infinix Note 40 is equipped with dual stereo speakers made by JBL, ensuring loud, balanced sound with clear bass.
Infinix has also highlighted that the speakers feature high-resilience silicone diaphragm technology, which enhances bass by up to 58%. Additionally, the speakers provide 360-degree spatial sound, delivering a symmetrical and immersive audio experience.
Cons of Infinix Note 40
Despite its unique innovations, the Infinix Note 40 has a number of things to note. Namely, the following.
1. No Ultrawide Camera
While the 108 MP camera on the Infinix Note 40 delivers excellent quality, it lacks an ultrawide camera. Phones in the budget price range typically include this feature, but due to the global chipset shortage, many budget-friendly devices have omitted it.
For those unfamiliar, an ultrawide camera offers a much wider field of view, making it ideal for capturing landscapes or group photos at events like weddings. You can usually identify the presence of an ultrawide camera by the availability of 0.5x or 0.6x zoom options.
2. No 3.5 mm Audio Port
For me, who prefers wired earphones to TWS, the absence of the 3.5mm feature is a big deal. In my experience, the 3.5 mm feature is only removed on flagship or mid-to-high-end phones.
This is one of the few cases where a budget phone has to do cost cutting by removing the audio port. In addition, the microSD slot is also eliminated. Users cannot expand storage in any way, except via the cloud.
Conclusions
Released in late March 2024, the Infinix Note 40 is priced starting from $150. Given its impressive feature set, I believe this phone is an exceptional value for its price. It's rare to find a phone in the $150 range that offers wireless charging. The display is crisp, sharp, and bright, making it ideal for outdoor use.
The phone's design exudes a modern, big-city vibe, and the AI Light (Active Halo) feature adds both functionality and a stylish touch.
What truly stands out is Infinix's generosity in including all the necessary accessories in the box. Not only do you get a charger, but also a wireless charger, magnetic case, and magnetic power bank—all adding incredible value to the purchase.