Infinix is heating up the entry-level smartphone market with the HOT 50 5G. This new smartphone offers a compelling combination of performance, design, and features. However, its best asset is the price point below RM600.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G processor, the HOT 50 5G is built to deliver impressive performance for a device in this price range. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the processor should handle tasks with ease. The phone also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and a 240Hz touch sampling rate for responsive touch.
The HOT 50 5G boasts a stylish and modern design, with a 6.7-inch Punch-Hole Display that offers vibrant visuals and a high screen-to-body ratio. The device is also remarkably thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and use. It also comes with IP54 dust and splash resistance, ensuring it can withstand everyday wear and tear.
The HOT 50 5G is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that provides ample power for extended usage. With 18W fast charging, you can quickly top up the battery when needed. Additionally, the battery is designed to maintain over 80% of its health even after four years, ensuring long-lasting performance
Infinix is also going ham with AI on the HOT 50 5G. The new smartphone comes with Infinix’s AI assistant, Folax, which is always ready to assist with tasks like music, calls, and travel. The AI Creation feature allows you to design cartoon-style wallpapers with a single tap, adding a personal touch to your device.
The HOT 50 5G features a 48MP main camera with the advanced Sony IMX 582 sensor, capturing stunning photos even in low-light conditions. AI Super Night Mode ensures vibrant and detailed night shots, while the Portrait Master Mode offers customizable beauty and makeup features for professional-looking portraits.
The HOT 50 connectivity is boosted by features like Super WiFi, which automatically switches between 2.4G and 5G networks for uninterrupted performance. Gamers will appreciate the device’s smooth gameplay, stunning graphics, and rapid response times, thanks to its powerful hardware and optimized software.
Pricing and Availability
The Infinix HOT 50 5G is available in Sleek Black, Vibrant Blue, Sage Green, and Dreamy Purple colour options. The device is priced at RM599 and will be available for purchase on Shopee starting from October 7th, 2024. After the exclusive Shopee sale, the HOT 50 5G will be available on Infinix Official Stores on Lazada, TikTok Shop, and offline through Infinix Malaysia Authorized Dealers.
Infinix has unveiled its brand new 720° SphereTech Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. This cutting-edge advancement aims to revolutionize the way we interact with our smartphones by significantly enhancing the reliability and versatility of NFC applications.
Conventional NFC technology is plagued by a bevvy of limitations. One of its largest is that it often requires precise alignment for successful transactions. This can be frustrating, especially in crowded or fast-paced environments. Infinix’s 720° SphereTech NFC addresses these issues by expanding the NFC signal coverage to a full 360 degrees, ensuring seamless interactions from virtually any angle.
This breakthrough technology is the result of extensive research and development, involving improvements in spatial layout, signal compatibility, and material type configuration. The expanded card reading area, increased signal range, and ability to read and tap cards from three sides of the device set the 720° SphereTech NFC apart from its predecessors.
Beyond convenience, Infinix is prioritizing security. The technology includes features to remotely disable NFC functions on lost or stolen devices, providing an added layer of protection for users’ personal and financial information.
While specific details about the integration of this technology into Infinix smartphones remain undisclosed, the company’s announcement bodes well for NFC applications. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on contactless transactions, Infinix’s 720° SphereTech NFC technology has the potential to drive adoption and redefine how we interact with our devices and the world around us.
Tech enthusiasts and budget-conscious smartphone users might be familiar with brands like Tecno, Infinix, and iTel. These popular names belong to Transsion Holdings, a major smartphone manufacturer based in China. However, Transsion is currently facing a legal challenge from a tech giant – Qualcomm – over alleged patent infringement.
According to reports, Qualcomm has filed lawsuits against Transsion Holdings in India, China, and Europe. The lawsuit claims that Transsion’s smartphones utilize patented technologies developed by Qualcomm without acquiring the necessary licenses. While the specific patents in question haven’t been publicly disclosed, the lawsuit likely centres on essential mobile phone technologies protected by Qualcomm’s vast patent portfolio.
Qualcomm is a leading designer of semiconductors, particularly the Snapdragon processors that power countless smartphones. The company also holds a significant number of patents related to cellular communication and other mobile technologies. Traditionally, Qualcomm has generated revenue not only by selling its chips but also by licensing these patents to other phone makers.
The twist in this legal battle is that Transsion smartphones primarily use processors from MediaTek and Unisoc, Qualcomm’s competitors in the chip market. This raises the question: how exactly could Transsion be infringing upon Qualcomm’s patents if they aren’t using Qualcomm chips?
Source: Qualcomm
Experts suggest the lawsuit might target patents that extend beyond the physical chips themselves. These could be patents related to software functionalities, cellular communication protocols, or other aspects of smartphone operation that might be implemented in various chipsets, including those from MediaTek and Unisoc.
The outcome of this lawsuit remains to be seen. If Qualcomm prevails, Transsion might be forced to either obtain licenses for the infringed patents, potentially leading to increased production costs or modify their smartphone designs to avoid the infringing technologies. This, in turn, could impact the pricing or features of future Tecno, Infinix, and iTel devices.
While Qualcomm is a dominant player in the mobile chip market, Transsion is no small fry. The company is the world’s fourth-largest smartphone manufacturer, known for offering affordable and feature-packed devices in emerging markets. This lawsuit pits a tech giant against a budget smartphone leader, raising questions about the accessibility and affordability of future mobile technology.
As this legal battle unfolds, it’s important to stay informed about the details of the case and its potential impact on the smartphone landscape. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
BMW Designworks seems to be seriously considering the mobile makret with the company’s many partnerships. Hot off its partnership with Vivo’s iQOO 12, the company is now collaborating with up and coming mobile brand – Infinix. The new collaboration sees the Infinix’s midrange hero – the Infinix Note 40 5G series – get a design refresh befitting the snappy, zippy charging that it champions.
The refreshed Infinix Note 40 5G Racing Edition and Note 40 Pro 5G Racing Edition come in BMW’s signature Rodonite Silver with streaks that integrate the BMW Designworks logo subtly into the smartphone’s design. The sheen of the silver finish elevates the Infinix Note 40 5G and Note 40 Pro 5G in terms of design outlook. The tricolor logo of Designworks sublty highlights the triple camera setups in the smartphones; both featuring a 108-megapixel main sensor. Of course, the package isn’t complete without a matching interface. BMW Designworks has also leveraged the customizability of Infinix’s XOS and designed icons, a wallpaper and customised the interface to infuse a more refined feel to the smartphones.
Specc’d for Speed
The Infinix Note 40 series was launched earlier this year. The racing edition builds on the foundations of Infinix’s MagSafe touting series. The Note 40 Series Racing edition comes with a supped up Mediatek Dimensity 7020 5G processor. This is complemented by 8GB of RAM on the Note 40 Pro Racing Edition while the Note 40 comes with a larger 12GB of RAM. Both support RAM expansion for that extra boost when needed. The regular Note 40 also comes with 512GB of internal storage while the Pro comes with 256GB onboard storage.
Both smartphone come with a 108-megapixel main camera with a an f/1.8 aperture with phase detection autofocus. The Pro has the added advantage of OIS. The sensor is complemented with dual 2-megapixel sensors for depth and and bokeh. The setup is capable of shooting 1440p (4K) at 30fps and 1080p video at 30fps and 60fps. Upfront is a 32-megapixel sensor. Both sport 1080p AMOLED displays. However, the Pro 5G has a dual curved design while the vanilla Note 40 comes with a flat panel design. Of course, the audio on the smartphone is still tuned by JBL.
However, the Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G and Infinix Note 40 5G are more impressive when it comes to charging speed. Both boast 5,000mAh batteries which are capable of fast charging at 45W for the Pro and 33W on the Note 40 5G. Both of them are able to charge to 50% in about 30 minutes. If you want to be more specific it’s 26 minutes on the Pro and 31 minutes on the regular Note 40 5G. Both also support Infinix’s MagCharge.
Pricing & Availability
The Infinix Note 40 5G Racing Edition and the Infinix Note 40 Pro 5G Racing Edition will be available starting 19th June 2024. Purchases of the smartphones will come with a Free Magpower Racing Edition kit while stocks last. The smartphones will be available on the Infinix official online stores on Shopee, Lazada and TikTok.
The vanilla 40 5G Racing edition will be priced at RM1,299. There is only spec announced at the time of writing – 512GB of onboard storage and 12GB of RAM.
The40 Pro 5G Racing edition will be priced at RM1,098 and will only be available with 256GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM.
Infinix’s GT 10 Pro boldly steps into the realm of smartphone design with its striking Cyber-Mecha aesthetics which comes in two variants: Cyber Black (black with orange stripes) and Mirage Sliver (silver with white strips on its back). With its futuristic design, the phone has the perfect aesthetic for any hardcore or casual gamer. The variant that we received was the Mirage Silver variant.
Design and Aesthetics
Regarding design, Infinix’s GT 10 Pro is a bold departure from the essential standard phone back covers as it draws inspiration from a futuristic, cyberpunk aesthetic. One of its most fantastic features is the LED indicator positioned alongside the camera, creating an illusion of elements embedded in a transparent plastic back. The LED has a captivating 3D effect with multiple effects: Blinking, Breathing and Meteor, Flowing Light, GT Racing, and Helium Flash. The phone’s flat back houses a camera island accommodating three cameras and a LED indicator. Notably, the LED indicator lights up during gaming, notifications, calls, and charging.
Despite the glossy surface, fingerprint smudges are not overly problematic, and the silver variant offers better resistance to such smudges and surprisingly cleans easily. The Infinix GT 10 Pro was very light and easy to hold as it was not as bulky nor heavy as your usual standard gaming phones. This makes the phone a big plus for those who want a gaming phone that won’t feel like a small brick in hand or something so bulky it has difficulties fitting in tight pockets.
But there is some downfall to this slim and sleek design. While everyone’s experience may vary, I found that I didn’t always have a good proper grip. I had to be constantly conscious of my grip when using the phone for daily tasks like calls or scrolling social media. Only the familiar landscape manner when playing games felt comfortable to me. I felt like it could easily slip through my grips when I am on the move while using the phone.
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has two side buttons on the right of the phone for power and volume. These are considerably thin and flat and may be easily mistaken for each other due to their proximity. Pressing the volume button instead of the power button was constant issue until muscle memory kicked in.
Material and Feature
The materials used for the GT 10 Pro primarily made from plastics, which initially felt fragile and not long lasting. I feel it I were to drop it by accident, it would most certainly chip. The plastic frame has a glossy texture which is quite notable. The phone’s right side houses the power and volume buttons, while the left side features a triple card tray that allows you to simultaneously use two SIM cards and a microSD card. The bottom of the device is home to the USB-C connector, one speaker grille, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Handling the GT 10 Pro is overall a reasonably comfortable experience despite the use of plastic. The shape of the phone makes it well-suited for gaming in landscape orientation. However, it can get annoying when your fingers curl around the camera island. It is slightly irritating to feel that slight texture and the eventual smudging of holding onto the camera subconsciously while playing. To have to consciously have to adjust to prevent camera smudging is not a fun experience.
Display
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has a 6.67-inch OLED panel with a centrally placed 32MP selfie camera. Thin side bezels contribute to the phone’s modern look, while the top and bottom bezels are slightly thicker. The display has a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a responsive and smooth user experience which is also great for gaming. While it falls somewhat short of the advertised 900 nits of brightness, it still delivers a good viewing experience, whether in the dark or outdoors.
Battery and Charging
The Infinix GT 10 Pro has a 5,000 mAh battery that performs great in gaming and all-day use when tested. It lasted from 100% from 8 am to 18% by 11 pm, and the device supports rapid charging with the included 45W charger. To charge fully from 1% to 100% will roughly take an hour. However, overall, the battery is long-lasting and performs dependably.
Audio Quality
The Infinix GT 10 Pro features a hybrid dual speaker setup, with the bottom speaker louder than the earpiece. Together, these speakers provide decent audio quality. However, when equipped with Bluetooth earbuds, the sound quality seems to diminish and sounds slightly off, but overall, it was pleasing to use and listen to.
Interface, Special Features and Customization
The device runs on Pure XOS 13, which is based on Android 13. Infinix’s software customisation features include the Magazine service on the lock screen, theming options, and extensive home screen customisation. However, the software does comes with pre-installed apps and customised UI elements, which may not be to everyone’s liking.
On the home screen, while there is the standard home screen, there is also an alphabetised app drawer with a search bar when you scroll from bottom to top, giving phone users more access to search for apps even if it’s not on the main screen. Like most smartphones, the notification and control centre can be accessed separately through the standard top-down swipe on either the left or the right to pull down the notification screen or the control centre. Besides that, it also comes with lighting multi-window, a floating app feature so you can have more than one screen at a time, and an intelligent panel, a side panel feature that pulls out when you long pull from either side of the phone. There are also multiple more features like Social Turbo, Game Mode, and even its gaming app, XArena, which will store/place your games automatically in one convenient location for easy access and can customise certain buttons to suit specific game mechanics or boost and optimise a game functions.
Gaming
A MediaTek Dimensity 8050 processor powers the Infinix GT 10 Pro. It delivers reasonably good performance but may experience throttling under sustained loads. The device supports a high refresh rate control with multiple modes, including 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz, along with an Auto Switch mode. It also comes with ample Storage of 256GB and 16 GB of RAM9( 8+8 RAM), ensuring this phone can withstand any games with ample storage needed and runs smoothly while playing. In contrast, the device does heat up when gaming or when recording. It wasn’t so hot that it had to be set down but is noticeable. The phone also has settings to ensure it does not overheat during gaming.
Camera
The Infinix GT 10 Pro’s camera system includes a 108MP primary camera, a macro shooter, and a depth sensor. The 108MP primary camera captures detail, boasting a large sensor with an f/1.8 aperture. The camera app provides various shooting modes and customisation options.
The camera performs admirably in well-lit conditions, delivering good detail and a wide dynamic range. Activating the AI mode enhances colour saturation, resulting in visually pleasing photos. However, the 2x zoom mode may fall short in low-light scenes.
The device supports 4K@30fps video recording, with the option for a Super Steady mode for stabilisation. In 4K video recording, the Infinix GT 10 Pro delivers good detail and colour quality. However, the Super Steady mode sacrifices resolution for stabilisation. These are some of the images taken with it.
Conclusion
The Infinix GT 10 Pro is impressive with its eye-catching Cyber-Mecha design and many appealing features, all at a decent price of RM999. While its performance may not meet the demands of the heavy real hardcore gaming, the device works wonderfully with its display, battery life, and camera system. While there are some drawbacks to the camera being slightly on the lower end compared to other cameras, the device and its other features make up for it. Overall, the phone is solid in all functions and great for most people who are not camera aficionados and are gamers.
Infinix took centre stage at the Venice Film Festival with a new smartphone focused on content creation and storytelling. Infinix collaborated with the Italian Pavilion to explore the synergy between smartphone technology and modern storytelling centred around Infinix’s new smartphone the Infinix ZERO.
Infinix’s ZERO 30 Series focuses on the selfie camera looking to empower self-expression to a whole new level with a 50-megapixel sensor. This sensor is capable of recording 4K video. This is bolstered by the 108-megapixel main camera on the back that is complemented by a 13-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
The new smartphone comes with the Mediatek Dimensity 8020 chipset. A flagship chipset from Mediatek with features built to take on flagship phones. The octa-core CPU is complemented by either 8GB or 12GB of TAM and 256GB of storage. Display-wise, it comes with a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. All of this is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 68W fast charging.
Pricing & Availability
The Infinix ZERO 30 will be available in three colour options: “Golden Hour,” “Rome Green,” and “Fantasy Purple.”
Source: Infinix
In India, the 8GB/128GB model is priced at INR 23,999 (MYR1,350.76/USD$290.17/EUR€268.80), and the 12GB/256GB version costs INR 24,999 (MYR/1,407.09/USD$302.28/EUR€279.98), both available for pre-orders through Flipkart.
No official pricing has been announced for Malaysia just yet. But the company looks poised to bring the smartphone to global markets in the near future.
