The Infinix Note 40X is the latest contender in India’s budget smartphone market, offering a compelling package of features at an attractive price point. Transsion, the company behind Infinix, has been actively pushing the boundaries with its Note series, and the Note 40X boasts impressive specs like 256GB of inbuilt storage, a feature that stands out among competitors. While its design is heavily inspired by Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Note 40X carves its own path with its compelling features, putting it head-to-head with popular options like the Samsung Galaxy M15, Lava Blaze X, Redmi 13C 5G, Vivo T3x, and the Realme P1 5G. With the base model priced at ₹14,999 and a 12GB + 256GB variant at ₹15,999, the Note 40X presents an intriguing proposition. This review dives deep into the device’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you determine if it’s the right pick for your needs.
Infinix Note 40X Design: A Familiar Feel
The Infinix Note 40X’s design is undeniably inspired by Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max. The familiar triple rear camera arrangement, nestled in a slightly raised island, along with the LED flash positioned identically to the flagship iPhone, is hard to miss. The rear panel, adorned with a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges, also displays a subtle color gradient. The only branding is a discreet Infinix logo in the bottom left corner. While the phone boasts a 120Hz refresh rate display, its thick bezels, particularly at the bottom, break the clean aesthetic.
Key Design Specs:
- Dimensions: 168.94×76.49×8.26mm
- Weight: 201g
- Colors: Lime Green, Palm Blue (in this review), and Starlit Black
Design Highlights:
- Triple rear camera arrangement: Echoes the iPhone 15 Pro Max design.
- Matte rear panel: Reduces fingerprint smudges.
- Color gradient: Adds visual interest.
- Flat edges: Shiny plastic with rounded corners.
- Thick bezels: Particularly noticeable at the bottom.
In the Box:
- Infinix Note 40X
- Transparent TPU cover
- Charging brick
- USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable
Infinix Note 40X Software: Packed with Features, Yet Some Bloatware
The Infinix Note 40X ships with Android 14 out of the box, overlaid with XOS 14. While the software experience is smooth and optimised, it does come with a few preloaded apps, including WPS Office, Aha Games, Hola Browser, Visha Player, and Wow FM. Luckily, these apps can be uninstalled or disabled, and I didn’t encounter any unwanted notifications during my time with the device.
Software Features:
- XOS 14: Infinix’s custom skin over Android 14.
- Floating windows: Multitask with apps in a floating window.
- Floating sidebar: Quick access to frequently used apps and features.
- Game mode: Enhance gaming performance and reduce distractions.
- App cloning: Use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone.
- Kids mode: Designed for a safer experience for children.
- Dynamic Bar: Mimics Apple’s Dynamic Island for notifications and calls.
- AI wallpaper generation: Create unique wallpapers based on your preferences.
- Smart Touch: Extract text from multiple apps.
Software Points to Note:
- Preloaded apps: Some bloatware can be uninstalled or disabled.
- Android version updates: Infinix has not committed to any.
- Security updates: Promised two years of security updates.
Infinix Note 40X Performance: Gets the Job Done
The Infinix Note 40X is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, a rebranded Dimensity 6080 SoC from 2023, itself a rebranded Dimensity 810 chip. While it’s not the most powerful chip available, the Note 40X handles most tasks smoothly. From casual browsing and social media to video editing apps like InShot and KineMaster, performance is reliable. The phone’s 256GB UFS 2.2 storage delivers fast loading times.
Key Performance Specs:
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
- Memory: Up to 12GB (LPDDR4X)
- Storage: Up to 256GB (UFS 2.2)
Performance Highlights:
- Smooth app performance: Handles daily tasks with ease.
- Fast storage: Provides quick loading and data transfer speeds.
- Gaming: Supports games like PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt Legends Unite at medium settings.
- Genshin Impact: Runs at the lowest settings, with some lag in certain areas.
- No throttling: sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
- Benchmark performance: While not the fastest in the price segment, it delivers decent overall performance.
Benchmark Scores:
| Benchmark | Infinix Note 40X | Realme P1 5G | Moto G64 | iQoo Z9x |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single Core | 768 | 956 | 1,012 | 940 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi Core | 2,050 | 2,369 | 2,403 | 2,838 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 393,680 | 570,926 | 494,364 | 559,900 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 9,151 | 13,319 | 13,920 | 9,904 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 1,373 | 4,126 | Failed | 2,373 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited | 1,356 | 4,205 | Failed | 2,396 |
| 3DMark Sling Shot | 3,724 | 6,654 | 3,379 | Failed |
| 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme | 2,747 | 5,766 | 2,590 | Failed |
| GFXBench Car Chase | 13 | 21 | 18 | 20 |
| GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 | 22 | 39 | 33 | 39 |
| GFXBench T-Rex | 52 | 60 | 70 | 92 |
Infinix Note 40X Display: A Bright and Responsive Screen
The Infinix Note 40X features a 6.78-inch Full-HD+ (1,080×2,460 pixels) IPS LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display offers vivid colors, sharp visuals, and a smooth scrolling experience.
The automatic brightness feature ensures comfortable visibility even outdoors under direct sunlight. Its large size and high refresh rate make it ideal for watching content on Netflix and Prime Video, enhanced by the loud and undistorted dual stereo speakers.
Key Display Specs:
- Size: 6.78 inches
- Resolution: Full-HD+ (1,080×2,460 pixels)
- Type: IPS LCD
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Speakers: Dual stereo speakers
Display Highlights:
- Bright and vibrant display: Offers good color accuracy and visual clarity.
- 120Hz refresh rate: Provides smooth scrolling and animation.
- Outdoor visibility: Automatic brightness ensures comfortable viewing even under direct sunlight.
- Loud stereo speakers: Enhance the content viewing experience.
Infinix Note 40X Cameras: Decent Daytime Shots
The Infinix Note 40X is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, comprising a 108-megapixel primary camera (f/1.8 aperture), a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The primary camera delivers decent daylight photos, particularly when capturing still objects. It also offers a 3x zoom mode that provides a good level of detail.
Camera Specs:
- Main camera: 108-megapixel (f/1.8 aperture), up to 2K/ 30fps video
- Macro camera: 2-megapixel
- Selfie camera: 8-megapixel, up to 2K/30fps video
Camera Highlights:
- 108-megapixel primary camera: Captures decent daylight photos.
- 3x zoom mode: Provides detail without significant loss of quality.
- Super Night Mode: Offers improved low-light photos with reduced noise and smoothening.
- 2-megapixel macro camera: Useful for capturing close-up shots of objects up to 4cm away.
- Wide Selfie Mode: Captures wider selfies for group photos.
- 2K/ 30fps video recording: Both the primary and selfie cameras support this resolution.
Camera Points to Note:
- Performance in low light: The Super Night Mode provides good results but can sometimes produce slightly reddish skin tones.
- Macro camera limitations: Useful only during the day due to noticeable noise and smoothening in low light.
Infinix Note 40X Battery: Quite Reliable
The Infinix Note 40X packs a 5,000mAh battery that delivers reliable battery life. My usage involved heavy usage of Instagram, Threads, and X, occasional texting on WhatsApp, and I managed to get around a day and a half of battery life, with about five and a half hours of screen time. The overnight drain was minimal, with only a 2 percent drop over 8 hours.
Battery Specs:
- Capacity: 5,000mAh
- Wired charging: 18W
- Charger: 18W (included)
Battery Highlights:
- Reliable battery life: Delivers a day and a half of mixed usage.
- Long screen time: Offers around five and a half hours of screen on time.
- Minimal overnight drain: Only a 2 percent battery drop overnight.
- Video loop test: Lasted for 22 hours and 10 minutes.
- Charging time: Takes 2 hours and 17 minutes to fully charge.
Infinix Note 40X Review: Verdict
The Infinix Note 40X is a compelling option in the budget smartphone market. It offers a solid balance of features, including a large display, a decent camera experience, and reliable battery life. Its 256GB of inbuilt storage makes it an attractive option for users who want ample space for apps, photos, and videos.
However, it faces stiff competition from other smartphones in the same price segment that offer better performance and faster charging speeds. If you prioritize raw performance over other features, the Realme P1 5G, Moto G64, and iQoo Z9x might be better choices.
Ultimately, the Infinix Note 40X is a worthy consideration if you’re seeking a well-rounded smartphone with a focus on storage capacity and battery life. It’s a great budget-friendly option that might prove to be the right pick for various users.
