Infinix Hot 40i Review: The sub-Rs 10,000 price segment in India’s smartphone market has been a dynamic space with its share of fluctuations over the years. In the past, this segment witnessed a flurry of smartphone launches, offering consumers a wide array of choices. However, as we fast forward to 2024, the scenario seems to have shifted. Finding a smartphone that not only fits within this budget but also meets the desired specifications and features has become increasingly challenging.
With advancements in technology and rising consumer expectations, smartphone manufacturers are faced with the task of balancing affordability with performance and features. As a result, consumers in the sub-Rs 10,000 price range are now seeking devices that offer value for money without compromising on essential functionalities.
Infinix Hot 40i Review 2024
In this competitive landscape, brands are striving to differentiate themselves by offering unique selling points such as superior camera capabilities, extended battery life, enhanced processing power, and sleek design aesthetics. As a consumer navigating the market in search of the ideal smartphone within this budget bracket, it becomes imperative to carefully evaluate each option based on individual preferences and requirements. Despite the evolving dynamics of the sub-Rs 10,000 price segment, consumers can still find smartphones that deliver a satisfactory user experience and cater to their diverse needs.
Whether prioritizing camera quality for photography enthusiasts or battery longevity for heavy users, there are options available that strike a balance between affordability and performance. By staying informed about the latest offerings and conducting thorough research, consumers can make informed decisions when selecting a smartphone in this competitive price range. Infinix, excelling in the budget and mid-range price categories, has launched the new Hot 40i priced under Rs 10,000, aiming to provide exceptional value. Curious if its promises are met? Check out my review for insights.
Infinix Hot 40i Review Details
| Article Name | Hot 40i Review |
| Category | Tech Reviews |
| Official Website | Click Here |
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Design And Display
The Hot 40i showcases a striking aesthetic known as the “Glow Line” design by the company. This design includes vibrant and shimmering colors with a soft finish. While the Starfall Green is the standout color variant, we received the Palm Blue option, closely resembling the Rainbow Blue variant of the Smart 8 HD. The back of the phone features a smooth matte finish for a comfortable feel, along with a large triple camera housing that includes two camera sensors and a ring light.
The phone features a reflective finish on its sides, providing a comfortable grip without feeling slippery. The power button, which includes a fingerprint sensor, is conveniently positioned on the right side for easy access with the thumb. Accessing the volume rocker, located above the power button, was also effortless with the thumb. In terms of ergonomics, the phone boasts a practical design that enhances the user experience. Additionally, the phone includes a 3.5mm jack at the bottom, a feature often absent in higher-priced modern phones.
Transitioning to the screen, the device is equipped with a 6.56-inch IPS LCD screen featuring HD+ resolution (1,612 x 720 pixels) and a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Within the display settings, users have the flexibility to select either a 60Hz refresh rate to conserve battery life. A 90Hz refresh rate for a seamless visual experience, or opt for the Auto-switch function to automatically adjust the refresh rate based on the content being view. Sporting slim borders and a hole-punch front camera. The device achieves an impressive 89.70 percent screen-to-body ratio. While I was impress with the display quality. The only area that could be enhanced is the peak brightness, currently set at 480 nits. A figure that is quite standard for this market segment.
Cameras
The Hot 40i comes equipped with a 50MP main camera, along with an AI sensor and a ring flash on the rear. Before delving into the camera’s capabilities, let’s discuss the available modes. When taking photos, you can select from the standard Photo, Beauty, Portrait, and Super Night modes on the default camera app’s home screen. For video recording, you have the choice between video and short video options.
The beauty mode allows you to choose between AI smart beauty effects and manually adjusting filters like skin smoothening, skin tone adjustment, facial slimming, and eye enlargement. The camera app includes Panorama, Documents (for document scanning), Ultra HD, AR Shot (for animal-themed filters), Time-Lapse, and Slow Motion modes. In Pro mode, you can fine-tune settings such as EV, ISO, White Balance, and AF for personalized photo capturing. Besides Portrait Mode, all modes support 2x digital zoom. Users can customize the display of camera modes on the home screen of the default camera app.
Based on my experience, the Infinix Hot 40i perform well in capturing satisfactory photos during the day, particularly when using the 50MP mode, although the images tend to have a slightly warm hue. Pictures taken in low-light conditions may display some graininess, but utilizing the ring flash allows for decent photo quality. To better understand the phone’s camera capabilities, you can refer to the sample images provided below.
To provide a clearer view of the camera capabilities, I took photographs using both the Itel P55+ and Infinix Hot 40i to assess and compare their respective camera qualities. I found the color accuracy of the P55+ to be superior. Additionally, you can observe a warm tone in the camera sample taken with the Hot 40i here.
Located at the front of the phone is a top-of-the-line 32MP selfie camera, accompanied by a flash. Additionally, the inclusion of a 90-degree wide-angle lens allows for capturing more individuals in your selfies. In a price range where many brands prioritize basic functionality, having this set of features proves to be advantageous. The high-quality front camera captures intricate details, with the front flash assisting in low-light conditions. Although there may be instances of overexposure with the flash, the overall output remains superior compared to flash-less phones in the same price category.
When it comes to videos, you have the choice to film in 1080p resolution at 30fps. You can opt for ‘Fingerprint Shooting’ to commence video recording using the power button. Additionally, the phone enables you to capture slow-motion videos at 120fps for a creative touch. In my experience, the video quality was satisfactory, and I appreciated the availability of slow-motion and time-lapse features.
A captivating feature available is the ‘Short Video’ mode, offering pre-designed templates for creating and sharing videos on social media. Ideal for content creators and individuals looking to enhance their profiles, this mode is a valuable tool. With the possibility of adding more modes through future updates, I believe this feature should be standard on all contemporary phones, regardless of their price range.
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Performance and Software
The Infinix Hot 40i runs on a UNISOC T606 SoC, featuring an octa-core chipset comprising two A75 cores at 1.6GHz and six A55 cores at the same clock speed. It is equipped with a Mali-G57 MC1 GPU for graphics performance. The device offers 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 16GB using the RAM expansion feature, and comes with a 256GB storage option in India. Which can be expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card. While the 8GB+256GB configuration is impressive in its price range. It’s worth noting that the UNISOC T606 chipset is not exceptional compare to alternatives like the MediaTek Dimensity 6080 in the iTel P55. The UNISOC T612 in the Realme C53, both of which outperform the T606 in benchmarks.
Despite this, the Hot 40i did not exhibit significant lag or stutter issues during usage, even when running demanding games such as Battlegrounds Mobile India, Asphalt 9: Legends, and NBA 2K Mobile. Heat management also did not pose any notable concerns during my experience with the device. During the AnTuTu benchmark evaluation, the phone achieved a score of 2,66,030. In the Geekbench benchmark, it obtained 376 in the single-core test and 1389 in the multi-core test. Additionally, the phone displayed efficient multitasking capabilities with apps in the background reloading instantly when switched back to.
The device comes preloaded with XOS skin, which is built on Android 13, offering various useful features.
The standout feature is the Magic Ring, similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island on the iPhone. Which forms a bubble around the front camera to present information uniquely. Users can personalize the Magic Ring’s functions through toggles for Face Unlock, Background Call, Charging Animation. Charge Completion Reminder, and Low Battery Reminder, enhancing the user interface with a fresh touch. In addition, you can access other features on Infinix such as MemFusion for expanding RAM space. Smart Panel for quick access to common functions, Social Turbo offering useful tools like voice recorder and video editing for WhatsApp, XClone for dual app accounts. Game mode for improved gaming performance, Video Assistant to prevent interruptions while watching videos. Kids Mode to promote healthy digital habits for children. Xboost, an in-house gaming engine, offers one-tap optimization during gameplay for a consistent performance.
The phone is equipped with “intelligent features“ designed to simplify your life by adapting to your habits. These features offer service suggestions based on your phone activity. Accelerate app opening by recognizing your frequently use apps and predicting the next one you will use. As well as offering real-time payment alerts, bedtime reminders, and additional functions.
The device is equipped with the ‘Folax’ virtual assistant, enabling users to place calls, capture images, enjoy music. Schedule alarms without requiring an Internet connection. Additionally, it offers a 200 percent Super Volume Booster function for enhancing audio output. Particularly beneficial for watching videos amidst noisy surroundings. Regarding connectivity options, NFC support, 4G, a dual Nano SIM + microSD card slot. A USB Type-C port for charging are available.
Battery And Charging Speed
The Infinix Hot 40i is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W charging. Which is consider standard in the sub-Rs 10,000 price range. It may seem slow compare to models like the Realme C53 and Moto G24 Power, which offer 30W+ fast charging. Charging the phone from 0 to 100 percent took me 2 hours and 21 minutes.
The phone’s battery capacity allows for over a day of usage with regular use and up to two days with light use. In our PCMark Battery test, the phone ran for an impressive 18 hours and 52 minutes. According to the brand’s assertions, the Ultra Power Saving mode offers 24 hours of standby backup and 2 hours of calling at 5 percent battery levels, making it very useful in emergencies.
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Conclusion
In the competitive landscape of smartphones in this price segment, several models offer distinct features catering to different needs. The POCO M6 shines for its exceptional performance, making it a compelling option for those seeking top-notch speed and efficiency. For users prioritizing 5G connectivity, the Itel P55 5G presents itself as a viable choice with its advanced network support. Notably, the Infinix Hot 40i distinguishes itself with its impressive front camera capabilities.
In a market where smartphones renowned for their selfie cameras often belong to higher price categories. The Hot 40i breaks this trend by delivering quality selfies at an accessible price point of Rs 9,299. This makes it an attractive option for photography enthusiasts who value affordability without compromising on camera quality. Moreover, the Infinix Hot 40i boasts a range of user-friendly software features that enhance the overall user experience. Its combination of standout camera performance and value-added software functionalities positions. It as a strong contender in the sub-10k smartphone segment.
Reasons to buy
- Display quality is pretty good for the price
- 32MP selfie camera is capable of taking detailed shots
- The battery life is good
- Magic Ring adds a novelty factor
Reasons not to buy
- Slow charging speed
- Performance could be better
Infinix Hot 40i Review FAQ’S
Is Infinix Hot 40i a good phone?
Infinix Hot 40i is a no-nonsense device that gets the basics right and delivers on some key fronts.
Is hot 40i water resistant?
The device is dustproof and water-resistant.
Is Hot 40i fast charging?
18W Fast Charging
Is the Infinix phone good or bad?
They often provide good performance, decent cameras, and long-lasting batteries.
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