The Infinix Note 40 5G is a new entrant in the mid-range smartphone segment, offering a compelling blend of impressive features and an attractive price point. However, it enters a crowded market with several competitors. After spending some time with the device, here’s what it brings to the table.
1. Design and Display
The Infinix Note 40 5G features a polycarbonate body available in two shades: Titan Gold and Obsidian Black. It offers IP54-rated splash resistance, has a slim profile of 7.9mm, and weighs 185 grams. The retail package of the device includes the Note 40 5G, a Mag Case, 33W charger, and some documents.
On the front, the Note 40 5G has a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that’s a joy to use. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, enhancing both everyday tasks and gaming experiences. The screen’s brightness and color reproduction is excellent, even in direct sunlight. The screen offers a peak brightness of 1300 nits.
With slim bezels, the Note 40 5G provides an impressive screen-to-body ratio. The dual stereo speakers, enhanced by JBL, deliver decent sound quality for multimedia consumption.
2. Performance and Software
The Infinix Note 40 5G is powered by the same Dimensity 7020, which powers the Note 50 Pro 5G and the Note 40 Pro+ 5G. The said chip, which is said to be a rebranded Dimensity 930, is good enough for casual gaming. The SoC is coupled with 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and ample 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The phone features a dedicated slot for adding a microSD card.
The phone runs on XOS 14, Infinix’s custom Android skin based on Android 14, promising two years of Android updates and 36 months of security patches. Infinix has done a commendable job in cutting down the number of preinstalled apps. As usual, the XOS 14 offers several customization options to personalize your experience.
The primary 108-megapixel rear camera and the 32-megapixel front-facing camera capture impressive shots with vibrant colors. The dedicated macro and depth sensors also enhance the photography experience. Here are some camera samples shot using the phone.
The 5,000mAh battery of the Note 40 5G easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use, thanks to Infinix’s intelligent power-saving optimizations. The included 33W charger can fully charge the phone in about an hour. The phone supports up to 15W magnetic wireless charging. However, you need to place the phone in the provided Mag Case to enable magnetic wireless charging.
Using the MagPad wireless charging pad, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach a 50 percent charge. The magnetic wireless charging feature ensures the phone stays securely in place in the charging area. This setup keeps your desk tidy and your phone within easy reach, allowing you to use the phone without removing it from the pad. Additionally, the Note 40 5G supports reverse charging, enabling you to charge other devices both wired and wirelessly.
For those unfamiliar, wireless charging support remains uncommon among phones in India. A few options include the Note 40 Pro 5G, Note 40 Pro+ 5G, Motorola Edge 50, and Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, all of which support 15W wireless charging. The midrange standout is the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, offering 50W wireless charging but priced higher at Rs 34,999 (~$420).
3. Camera and Additional Features
As the name suggests, the Note 40 5G supports 5G networks. It also offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for seamless connectivity. An IR remote control is a nice addition to the device, which is not commonly found on most competing phones. The phone’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. While I prefer a phone without a 3.5mm audio jack, many others will appreciate that the phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a plus for audiophiles.
The Active Halo Light feature on the Infinix Note 10 5G enhances user interaction by dynamically adjusting the phone’s backlight in response to different activities. It illuminates when notifications arrive from apps like Facebook, Chrome, Gmail, and Meet, ensuring users promptly notice incoming messages. When the phone is charging, the backlight activates, providing visual feedback that the device is powering up. Opening games trigger the backlight to enhance the gaming experience, while playing music, particularly from apps like YouTube Music, synchronizes with the backlight for added immersion. Additionally, using the Voice Assistant prompts the backlight to activate, aligning with user interactions, thereby enriching the overall usability and interaction dynamics of the device.
4. Final Thoughts
The Infinix Note 40 5G offers a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers looking for a phone between Rs 15,000 (~$180) to Rs 20,000 (~$240). It is the only phone in its price segment to support wireless charging. Another standout feature is the Halo Active LED light. Its strengths lie in its vibrant display, ample storage space, battery and charging capabilities, and decent camera performance. Some of the competing phones in its price segment that have launched in the past six months in India include the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, Vivo T3 5G, iQOO Z9 5G, Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G, Realme P1 Pro 5G, and Poco X6 5G.
Infinix Note 40 5G price in India
The Infinix Note 40 5G is available in the following options in India:
- 8GB+256GB: Rs 19,999 (~$180)
- Colors: Obsidian Black and Titan Gold
Disclaimer: All of the opinions in this Infinix Note 40 5G hands-on are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Infinix.
