Infinix Hot 40i Review: Affordable device for everyday needs

Smartphone manufacturer Infinix has been steadily gaining popularity in the affordable smartphone market. Infinix phones are known for offering a good balance between features and price. While competitors like Redmi, Lava, and Motorola also have offerings in this price range, Infinix stands out with its appealing design and wide range of specifications. The latest addition to the lineup is the Infinix Hot 40i, which was recently launched in India under the 10k price segment. This device boasts a slim and lightweight design, a 5000mAh battery, a 50MP camera, and more. The question remains: does it meet all the requirements of budget-conscious consumers? Can it be considered the best budget smartphone currently available? We spent some time with the Infinix Hot 40i, and here is our review.

Infinix Hot 40i: Design & Build

Upon first glance, one cannot help but notice the striking resemblance between the design of the Infinix Hot 40i and the Infinix Smart 8, which was launched in 2023. Both devices sport a square camera module at the back, housing two sensors. However, upon closer inspection, one can discern the subtle differences. The back panel of the Infinix Hot 40i boasts a unique glow line design and a matte finish, providing it with a distinct appearance compared to other devices in its segment. Despite being made of plastic, the back panel does not give off a cheap impression nor does it easily accumulate smudges. On the other hand, the shiny side frame tends to attract dirt and fingerprints, but it can be effortlessly cleaned. The overall build of the device is sleek and lightweight, ensuring a comfortable grip.

Infinix offers a variety of four colors to choose from, catering to different preferences. Whether you prefer a classic black, a vibrant green, a bold gold, or a calming blue (with official names that may differ), you have the freedom to select the color that suits you best. I received the Palm Blue shade of the Hot 40i, and it appeared quite decent. When exposed to outdoor lighting conditions, the backside of the device reflects light, giving it a shiny appearance. At the front, there is a punch-hole camera specifically designed for capturing selfies.

Moving on to the rear panel, it showcases a square camera module adorned with three circular rings. Two of these rings house the sensors, while the third one houses the LED flash, and the Infinix branding can be found at the bottom. The right edge of the device is home to the volume rockers and power button, while the left edge houses the SIM tray. The bottom edge encompasses the USB Type-C port, speaker grille, and headphone jack, whereas the top edge remains unoccupied.

Considering its price point of under 10,000, the Infinix Hot 40i undeniably boasts an impressive design.

Infinix Hot 40i Review: Display

The Infinix Hot 40i features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD that delivers clear and colorful visuals, although not as vibrant as an AMOLED panel. With a 90Hz refresh rate, the scrolling and gaming experience is satisfactory, and the touch responsiveness is also good. However, the display struggles with a peak brightness of 480 nits during daylight hours. Thick bezels surround the display, particularly noticeable at the bottom, which is typical for a device in this price range. Content consumption is decent, and the Magic Ring at the top of the panel provides convenient access to battery percentage, charge reminders, call duration, and more.

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Infinix Hot 40i Review: Performance

The Infinix Hot 40i is equipped with the Octa-core Unisoc T606 chipset which is complemented by Xboost Gaming Engine, enhancing its casual gaming performance. It smoothly handles everyday tasks such as light gaming, social media browsing, internet scrolling, music playback, calling, and messaging without any lag. However, when attempting to multitask on this budget smartphone, it does experience some stuttering, which is not uncommon.

Unfortunately, intensive gaming is not feasible on this device. I tested playing BGMI Mobile on it, and after a few minutes, the frame rates started dropping, causing the visuals to stutter. This made it quite challenging to continue playing. Therefore, the Infinix Hot 40i is not suitable for avid gamers, although it can handle light gaming. Additionally, during benchmarking and gaming sessions, the device tends to heat up significantly, indicating subpar thermal performance.

With 8GB of RAM, daily tasks run smoothly, and the 256GB storage capacity allows you to store whatever you desire on the device.

In terms of software, the Infinix Hot 40i runs on XOS 13, which is user-friendly and customizable. However, it does come with a significant amount of bloatware. Pre-loaded apps like Spotify, Snapchat, and Visha Player can be uninstalled if they are not needed. The operating system now includes a gesture navigation feature that was absent in Smart 8, and it also supports features like Xclone, which enables you to create a private space.

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Infinix Hot 40i REVIEW: CAMERA

The Infinix Hot 40i boasts a dual camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50MP main camera and an AI lens. In well-lit conditions, the primary camera captures good-quality images with accurate colors and fine details. Even when zooming in, the images remain clear with visible details. While the resolution may not be very high and colors can sometimes appear faded, the camera’s AI capability recognizes the scene and adjusts settings accordingly. It can differentiate between capturing a plant, a human, or an object.

On the other hand, the AI lens lacks autofocus and clarity. Edge detection is not very impressive, and close-up shots may appear blurry at times. This sensor is not very useful, so it’s best to rely on the main camera for better results.

Night Mode performs well, enhancing brightness and sharpness in low-light conditions. The difference between Night Mode and Normal Mode is noticeable, with Night Mode improving the quality of low-light images.

For selfies, there is a 32MP front camera that delivers vibrant and color-accurate shots. Skin tones look natural, and the background is slightly blurred in both outdoor and indoor selfies. The Beautify feature can be used for flawless selfies by hiding imperfections on the face and enhancing social media presence.

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Infinix Hot 40i Review: Battery Life and Charging

The Hot 40i from Infinix packs a large 5000mAh battery under the hood. The battery easily lasts all day on a single charge. I used it on a regular office day and it dropped to around 15% in the evening. Bundled with it is an 18W adapter that takes more than two hours to charge from 0 to 100%. Although charging time does feel long, considering the price it isn’t a surprise.

Review Verdict: Should you buy the Infinix Hot 40i?

The Infinix Hot 40i offers a decent package considering phones price point. It boasts a 32MP selfie camera, four attractive color choices, the Magic Ring, and Xclone, and an impressive 5000mAh battery. While the Phone’s performance is suitable for everyday use, it may not be the best choice for gaming enthusiasts. It does have a few drawbacks, including an underwhelming AI camera, low brightness levels, and slow charging speed. However, considering its price point, it’s understandable that not everything can be included. If you’re in the market for a budget smartphone for everyday tasks, the Infinix Hot 40i could be a suitable option. However, if you prioritize performance, it may be worth exploring other alternatives.