Infinix Note 40 5G Review: A Value 5G Phone With Flagship Traits

Smartphones with wireless charging have gotten a lot more accessible over the years, however, one still needs to spend a huge chunk of money to get a phone with wireless charging capacity is the common assumption. With the latest Note 40 series, Infinix is challenging this notion, and the latest offering from the series is easily one of the most affordable phones with wireless charging in the country.

The Infinix Note 40 5G was launched a few days back with a price tag of Rs 19,999 for the 8GB/256GB model. I have got the Obsidian Black of the latest Note 40 5G, which is also available in the Titan Gold colour option. I have been using this smartphone for over two weeks and here's my detailed review.

PROS

• Wireless Charging
• 108MP Camera
• Large 120Hz Display

CONS

• No 4K Video Recording
• No Ultra-Wide Camera

Infinix Note 40 5G: Design

In line with the current trend of slim designs, the Infinix Note 40 follows the same. At just 7.91mm thick and weighing 185 grams, it is an ideal choice for those looking for a lightweight phone with wireless charging.

Besides wireless charging capability, Infinix includes a translucent case which adds MagSafe wireless charging capability to the device, which can also be used to attach MagSafe capable power banks and accessories like smartphone wallets, similar to an iPhone 15. In fact, the MagSafe-compatible accessories are also compatible with the Infinix Note 40.

The device boasts a flat punch-hole display and a matte back panel, where a rectangular protruding camera setup houses three sensors and an 'Active Halo' circular light with an LED right around it.

Design-wise, the Infinix Note 40 stands out with its attractive appearance including its camera module and flat display. However, I found the glossy rear panel less appealing and the IP53 rating which is quite basic.

Infinix Note 40 5G: Display

The Infinix Note 40 5G has slim bezels and a large AMOLED display, measuring 6.78 inches. It supports a 1080 x 2436 pixels resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, making it quite bright both indoors and in sunlight.

While playing BGMI on the Note 40, the gameplay was smooth, thanks to the high refresh rate. The inclusion of JBL stereo speakers enhances the sound quality when watching videos or listening to music.

Infinix Note 40 5G: Performance and Software

The Infinix Note 40 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 SoC paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The RAM can be expanded by up to another 8GB using the MemFusion feature. This can significantly enhance performance for more demanding applications and multitasking scenarios.

Interestingly, the same MediaTek Dimensity 7020 processor powers the OPPO F27 Pro+ (Review), which is priced higher than the Infinix Note 40. The processor is capable of handling multitasking including games. I ran BGMI on the Note 40, which was smooth and didn't face any lag.

On the software front, the Infinix Note 40 runs on Android 14-based XOS 14 and is confirmed to get two years of Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates. Though it's very common to offer two-year OS updates in the mid-range segment, the recently launched Galaxy M35 5G comes with four major Android updates and five years of security updates.

Infinix Note 40 5G: Camera

The Infinix Note 40 5G features a 108MP main camera, complemented by a 2MP lens and an additional tertiary camera. This primary camera performs well, offering decent photos in both outdoor and indoor settings. During the day, it captures detailed shots, and the 32MP front camera also takes natural-looking selfies. Here are some sample photos taken with the Infinix Note 40.

Although the device does not support 4K video recording, it can record videos at up to 2K resolution at 30 frames per second. The rear camera delivers good video quality during daylight; however, its performance in low-light conditions is less impressive.

Infinix Note 40 5G: Battery

The Infinix Note 40 5G packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging and 15W MagCharge wireless charging support. With the 33W charger, the phone reaches full battery in one hour and 20 minutes. The wireless charging option, however, requires around two hours to go from 15 per cent to 90 per cent.

During moderate use, which included browsing social media and watching short videos, the phone's battery lasted an entire day. This makes it a reliable choice for our parents who need their device to perform throughout the day without frequent recharging.

It's also worth mentioning Wireless charging is slower than wired charging due to the way energy is transferred. However, not all wireless chargers are the same, lower-wattage chargers will charge slower than higher-wattage ones.

Verdict

If you want to experience wireless charging without spending too much, the Infinix Note 40 5G is worth considering. The phone delivers solid performance for both content consumption and gaming. Although the secondary and tertiary cameras don't offer many advantages, the primary camera performs well.

It also lacks 4K video recording capabilities and an ultra-wide camera, which might be a drawback for some users. For those looking for a phone for long-term use, the Infinix Note 40 might not be the best option.

The software updates may not hold up well over extended periods compared to the recently launched Samsung Galaxy M35. If you prefer wireless charging and a good display under Rs 20,000, it can be a good pick in the segment.