What is inside the sleek and portable Infinix Hot 40i?

The Hot 40 series, launched about 5 months ago, is part of Infinix's successful push into the affordable smartphone market. The brand is gaining popularity by offering phones with a strong balance of features and price. While competitors like Itel, Tecno, and Redmi also target this budget-conscious segment, Infinix distinguishes itself with eye-catching designs and impressive specifications for the price.

The latest addition to the lineup is the Infinix Hot 40i, recently launched in Nigeria and Africa under the ₦150,000 price segment. This device boasts a slim and lightweight design, a 5000mAh battery, a 50MP camera, and more. But does it tick all the boxes for budget-conscious consumers? And is it amongst the best budget smartphones currently available? We took a quick dive into features of the Hot 40i in this review, to see if it's the perfect fit for your needs.

Infinix Hot 40i Specs: At a Glance

• Display: 6.6-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate
• Processor: Unisoc T606 
• Cameras: 50MP main rear camera, 32MP front camera
• Battery: Long-lasting 5,000mAh battery 
• Waterproof: Splash resistance (IP53 rating)
• Memory: 256GB storage (expandable up to 2TB), 8GB RAM
• Extras: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor

What we like about the Infinix Hot 40i

• Design That Pops: Infinix calls it the "Glow Line" design, and it's easy to see why. The Hot 40i's back panel shimmers with vibrant colours – especially that eye-catching Starfall Green! But it doesn’t end with the looks – the matte finish feels great in your hand and resists fingerprints, while thoughtful touches like the ring light around the camera add practicality. This design strikes a balance between distinctive style and everyday usability.
  
• Display & Smoothness: The 6.56-inch IPS LCD is a treat. HD+ resolution keeps things crisp, and the 90Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to media consumption feel satisfyingly smooth. The option to switch to 60Hz or let the phone optimise its refresh rate is a smart touch for those seeking the best battery life.
  
• Battery for Days: The Infinix Hot 40i packs a massive 5,000mAh battery, promising all-day power and even beyond for most users. In Antutu benchmark tests, a benchmarking tool for Android smartphones and tablets, it clocked an impressive 18 hours and 52 minutes of endurance.
• Enhanced Connectivity: Users have reported that the connectivity of the Infinix Hot 40i is very smooth. It boasts support for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), enabling the device to leverage dual-band Wi-Fi ensuring quicker and more stable internet connections.
• Little Extras: Infinix adds fun and useful features with its XOS software. The "Magic Ring" (mimicking Apple's Dynamic Island), "Smart Panel" for quick access, and the Folax voice assistant enhance the general experience.

What we don’t like about the phone

• Slow Charging: While other phones in this price range might offer slightly faster charging speeds, the included 18W charger still gets the job done. Just be prepared for a recharge time of over two hours to go from empty to full.
  
• Average Low-Light Camera Performance: This is a common challenge among budget smartphones, where the camera sensors and processing capabilities are not always optimised for challenging lighting conditions. The Infinix Hot 40i's 50MP main camera delivers decent results in daylight, but colours lean warm and low-light performance suffers. Users might notice noise and a lack of detail in photos taken in such settings.
  
• Performance for Everyday Use The UNISOC T606 processor handles basic tasks and casual gaming well, but might struggle with demanding apps or heavy multitasking. For power users, a slightly faster chipset would be ideal. 
• Lack of Guaranteed Updates: The Infinix Hot 40i comes with a caveat regarding software updates. The device has an inconsistent update track record, which means that the frequency and regularity of new software updates are not assured. This could impact the user experience over time, as consistent updates are crucial for security patches, new features, and overall system improvements.

Note that: The Hot 40i boasts a 50MP camera and the Unisoc T606 processor is not designed to fully support such a high resolution. This doesn't mean your photos will be unusable, but you may notice some limitations in detail and quality, especially compared to phones with chipsets that natively support 50MP cameras.

Our Verdict

Rounding things out, the Hot 40i is a compelling option for value-conscious buyers. If you prioritise a stylish design, a big display, long battery life, and fun software features, this phone delivers. However, those demanding top-tier photography or heavy multitasking might want to explore other options.

Pricing and Availability in Nigeria

Infinix Hot 40i is available in two storage configurations:

• 8GB RAM+128GB storage- ₦130,000
• 8GB RAM+256GB storage- ₦155,000

It comes in Horizon Gold, Palm Blue, Starlit Black, and Starfall Green, and can be purchased via Infinix retail outlets and the Konga e-shop.