Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review

The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G promised to deliver an all-around performance at an accessible price point just shy of Php14K. Hence, despite some criticism online regarding its chipset, we were eager to put this smartphone through its paces in real-world scenarios.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Design

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is available in two distinct variants: Vintage Green, featuring a luxurious vegan leather finish, and Obsidian Black, sporting a glossy surface. We received the Vintage Green model, and we were pleasantly surprised by its premium look and feel. The vegan leather not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides a secure grip, making us feel comfortable skipping a protective case. Conversely, the Obsidian Black variant’s glossy finish tends to attract fingerprints, prompting us to recommend a clear case for added protection.

With an IP53 rating, the phone offers limited ingress and splash resistance, suitable for accidental splashes and dirt, though it should not be submerged in water.

The phone’s weight and curved design make one-handed use somewhat challenging, but its ergonomic build ensures a comfortable grip. The punch-hole selfie camera is discreetly at the top of the curved screen, maintaining a sleek appearance. On the rear, the Infinix 5G logo is positioned at the lower left, while the camera module occupies a prominent space with the main sensor located in the top left corner. Additional lenses for ultrawide and macro photography are strategically placed in the upper right and lower left, respectively.

A unique feature of the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is its LED flash (outer ring) and Infinix’s Active Halo Lighting (inner ring) located at the bottom right of the rear panel. The LED flash provides supplementary lighting for portrait shots and night videos, while the Active Halo Lighting could serve as a notification indicator for incoming calls and other alerts.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Multimedia

The phone boasts a spacious 6.78-inch AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, offering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1300 nits. We also experienced an immersive viewing experience, thanks to its impressive 93.69% screen-to-body ratio and FHD+ resolution of 2436 x 1080 pixels. Colors are vibrant, and details are sharp, too.

However, the curved edges of the screen occasionally led to unintended touches during intense gaming sessions, which required some adjustment on our part.

Audio quality is commendable, courtesy of JBL-tuned speakers. During our review, the unit delivered exceptional audio quality with clear highs and deep lows. Even at higher volumes, the sound remained crisp and distortion-free, exceeding our expectations for a smartphone in this price range.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Software, UI, Biometrics, Features

Operating on XOS 14 based on Android 14, the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G offers a user-friendly interface with ample customization options. The Personalization tab under settings allows users to choose from multiple themes, wallpapers, and Always-On Display widgets, catering to diverse preferences. Adaptive brightness ensures optimal visibility in varying lighting conditions, although it may impact battery performance marginally.

Additional software enhancements include MemFusion for RAM management, ensuring smooth multitasking capabilities without noticeable lag.

Meanwhile, in terms of security, the NOTE 40 Pro+ offers standard biometric security options, including both fingerprint and face unlock features, both of which are responsive and fast.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Performance

Powered by the Dimensity 7020 processor, 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G delivers reliable performance across a range of tasks.

We tested its gaming capabilities with popular titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Pokémon Unite, and we had smooth gameplay experience. However, extended gaming sessions did result in noticeable heating, although this did not affect performance significantly.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Camera

The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G retains the impressive camera setup of its predecessor, featuring a 108MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for enhanced photo and video stability. While digital zoom capabilities are somewhat limited, the addition of OIS improves overall image sharpness, particularly in low-light conditions.

Sample Photos:

We also appreciated the camera’s ability to capture natural-looking photos with accurate color reproduction, both with the rear and selfie cameras. Though its Night Mode tends to produce overexposed images.

Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review: Battery Life

Equipped with a 4,600mAh battery, the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G supports 100W All-Round FastCharge technology, promising to charge the unit from empty to full in just 30 minutes. In actual usage, our battery lasted nearly 14 hours with moderate to heavy use, including social media browsing, video streaming, and occasional gaming.

Intensive gaming sessions did lead to faster battery drain, requiring more frequent recharges. For reference, during intense gaming sessions, the battery lasted just over 4 hours before dropping to 20% from a full charge.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to run it on PCMark Battery Life Test, as we couldn’t download it.

Moving on to its fast-charging feature, we noticed that within just 15 minutes, it could charge the phone from 20% to 70%. This fast charging capability is particularly impressive for users who frequently use their phone for gaming or social media.

Verdict

Priced competitively at Php13,999, the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G emerges as one of the standout choices in the mid-range smartphone market. It excels in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. These make it a compelling option for users seeking a feature-rich device without breaking the bank.

Overall, the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G left us impressed with its overall performance and value proposition. This smartphone offers a blend of style and functionality that meets expectations.