Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G REVIEW: A real bang-for-your-buck phone at under P15,000
This device has to be the most premium-looking phone under P15,000.
While budget smartphones vary and are unique in their own ways aesthetics-wise, there's a certain look to them that you come to expect like a colorful plastic back and an ample-sized screen. Enter the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G—which on paper, sounds like a device that might come with a hefty price tag given its name, but it's actually more affordable than you may think.
PhilSTAR L!fe got to take this new smartphone out for a spin and see if it's really worth its price.
Design and specs
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ oozes premium vibes with its look. It has a big 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a minimal hole-punch cutout for the front camera.
At the back of the device is a leather texture finish which gives the phone a luxurious look. Our review unit came in Vintage Green—a more stylish choice than the more muted Obsidian Black. The camera system is quite big, taking up about a third of the back but they look quite chich as it came in gold.
You'll find the volume rocker and power button on the right side of the phone and the USB-C port and sim tray at the bottom. JBL-designed speakers are also fitted on the device.
Powering the device is a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chip with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
User experience
Playing games and watching videos are enjoyable on the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ thanks to its big, immersive screen. The speakers at the top and bottom parts of the phone add to the fun viewing experience.
Out of the box, the phone runs on Android 14 and comes preinstalled with Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, Maps, Meet, and Drive so you don't have to install them one by one.
This phone is also built for casual (and maybe even hardcore) gaming as popular mobile titles like Wild Rift run smoothly and the phone has a reliable 4,600mAh battery life for hours of play.
I was kind of disappointed, however, when I found out there were certain games that the phone couldn't play like the new Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.
Camera
This budget phone has a triple camera array consisting of a 108MP main shooter, a 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor. These shooters capture decent photos but pictures look better when under natural light.
One thing Gen Z users may miss in this phone is an ultrawide camera—sadly, you can't shoot your fave 0.5 selfies.
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
Sample shots with the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+
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Charging
One of the main highlights of this phone is its All-Round FastCharge 2.0 technology, which promises up to 50% in 12 minutes.
The phone also has its own "MagCharge" system, which works similarly to Apple's MagSafe on the iPhone wherein the charger sticks to the back of your phone with magnets.
There's a pro and con to this—the downside being that the MagCharge accessory doesn't stick to your phone on its own. It can wirelessly charge your phone but you'll be fumbling to find the right spot to juice up your device. The upside is every phone comes with a case with magnets so the accessory easily clings to charge your phone.
The 20W wireless charging took a bit to juice up the phone as it took about 1 hour and 18 minutes to get it from 19% to 50%. Powering up with the wired cable (100W fast charging) is faster as it took 32 minutes to charge from 50% to full. However, the heat in my area could have been a factor in charging.
Verdict
With the features that you get and the premium look, the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G is a bang for your buck. Where else will you find a phone under P15,000 with a leather back or a 6.78-inch curved display?
Its camera may not be the best but it's enough for taking photos and videos for social media. And if you're someone who plays games casually, this phone has enough power for it.
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at P13,999 (SRP) and is available via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.