Infinix Hot 50 5G Review: Efficient Performer Accessible to All

Infinix has introduced the latest addition to its Hot Series in the market. The company has officially unveiled the Infinix Hot 50 5G, a highly affordable smartphone designed to enhance accessibility for all users. This model succeeds the Infinix Hot 40, which was released in 2023, and includes several enhancements such as the Dimensity 6300 chipset, Android 14, and additional features. On paper, the Infinix Hot 50 5G boasts a sleek and modern design, a 48MP camera, a 5000mAh battery, and various AI capabilities. However, the question remains: do these specifications deliver in terms of actual performance? Let’s explore.

Infinix Hot 50 5G Review – Design & Build

Upon unboxing the Infinix Hot 50 5G, the first aspect that caught my attention was its elegant design and attractive rear panel. Infinix has introduced the Hot 50 in four distinct colors: Sleek Black, Vibrant Blue, and Sage Green, all featuring a plastic finish, while the Dreamy Purple variant boasts a vegan leather exterior. I received the Sage Green model for my review, which showcases a matte back. The green hue is reminiscent of foliage, offering a subtle yet sophisticated appearance, and the device feels quite premium when held.

The rear panel features a cuboid-shaped camera module that houses three slightly protruding camera cutouts. An LED flash is adjacent to the camera setup, while the Infinix branding is positioned at the bottom of the back panel. The front showcases a curved-edge display characterized by slightly thicker bezels surrounding it.

Regarding functionality, the right edge houses the volume rockers and power button, while the left edge has a SIM tray. The bottom edge includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port, and speaker grille, while the top edge is vacant. The smartphone feels light (188 grams) and slim (7.8mm) in hand and comes with an IP54 rating for protection against splashes, which is a rarity in this segment.

The best part is that the back panel doesn’t easily attract smudges or fingerprints, so it doesn’t look messy at all.

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Infinix Hot 50 5G Review – Display

The Infinix Hot 50 5G features a 6.7-inch HD+ Punch Hole display with a dynamic refresh rate of 120Hz. While expecting an AMOLED screen in a smartphone priced below 10,000 is unrealistic, the HD+ IPS display still performs admirably. It delivers colorful visuals, making watching videos on platforms like YouTube and other OTT services enjoyable. The refresh rate can be adjusted to 60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, or Auto Switch.

I primarily utilized the Auto Switch mode, which adjusted the refresh rate as needed. However, when I manually set it to 120Hz, it consistently maintained that rate during video playback on YouTube and similar applications. The 120Hz refresh rate provided a notably smooth scrolling and streaming experience, and the difference became apparent when reverting to 60Hz or 90Hz settings.

The Infinix Hot 50 5G features a maximum brightness of 500 nits, which is adequate for indoor use. However, I found that using the device outdoors in direct sunlight made the screen challenging to read. I often had to shield it with my hand or seek a shaded area to use it effectively, which posed a significant inconvenience. The device is equipped with a single bottom-firing speaker that performs satisfactorily.

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Infinix Hot 50 5G Review - Software

Now, let’s discuss another crucial element: the software. The Hot 50 5G operates on Android 14, utilizing XOS 14 right out of the box. The user interface is streamlined and user-friendly, with minimal bloatware, which is commendable.

It includes several AI functionalities, such as an AI Wallpaper Generator, AI Camera, and AI Battery Optimization to enhance device efficiency. Additionally, it features a Dynamic Island that displays notifications for face unlock, background calls, charging, and other activities.

The biggest downside is that no further OS update has been confirmed. Though Infinix has confirmed two years of security patches, having a confirmed OS update is very important for any user who spends 10k on a device.

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Infinix Hot 50 5G Review – Performance

The Infinix Hot 50 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, offering configurations of up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. After using the device for a week, I found it efficiently managed everyday tasks. These tasks included browsing social media, making calls, sending texts, watching videos, listening to music, gaming, and more.

The RAM can be virtually expanded by an additional 8GB, allowing for a total of 16GB, which enhances multitasking capabilities. While there were occasional lags when switching between applications, the performance was generally smooth. The 128GB storage provides sufficient space for documents, videos, and photos. Benchmarking results are provided below.

The gaming performance of the smartphone is adequate but not exceptional. It manages to run lighter games without issues; however, users may encounter performance limitations when attempting to play more demanding titles such as BGMI or Asphalt 9.

During my experience with BGMI, the game performed well for approximately 12-15 minutes before the frame rates began to decline and the graphics quality diminished. Additionally, the device began to overheat with extended gameplay. The Infinix Hot 50 5G is not designed for serious gamers.

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Infinix Hot 50 5G Review – Cameras

The Infinix Hot 50 5G sports a dual camera setup at the back. It includes a 48MP primary camera and an unspecified depth sensor. At the front is an 8MP selfie sensor. Considering the device’s pricing, a 48MP sensor at the back and an 8MP one at the front seems decent enough. However, do these two perform well? Let’s find out.

The 48MP primary sensor offers two modes: 1x and 2x. It produces good-quality images in daylight conditions. Photos taken in both modes are decent with good color balance. This same Sony IMX582 sensor has previously been utilized in devices such as the Poco F3, Samsung Galaxy A34, and Redmi Note 10, demonstrating its reliable performance in earlier models.

Images have less noise in low-light environments compared to other phones in this segment. While there may be a slight reduction in detail, the resulting photos are still of acceptable quality and suitable for social media sharing. The AI Camera offers various modes, including Film Mode and Pro Mode, providing additional photography options.

The portrait mode can capture images in both 1x and 2x zoom settings, effectively focusing on the subject while maintaining it within the frame. However, it lacks stabilization, so keeping your hands steady when taking photos is important.

The device features an impressive night mode, which I tested in a completely dark setting. While the images were not perfectly clear, they were still acceptable. There was some noise present in the photos, but the subjects within the frame remained discernible.

The 8MP front-facing selfie camera is equipped with an LED flash and performs admirably. It captures clear and detailed selfies in both natural and low-light environments. The skin tones appear authentic, and low-light images have minimal noise. The most impressive aspect was the super night mode; even in very low light conditions, the selfies turned out surprisingly well, which is commendable for a device priced under 10,000.

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Infinix Hot 50 5G Review – Battery Life and Charging

The smartphone packs a large 5000mAh battery that easily lasts all day, even with heavy usage. This can include streaming, browsing, texting, calling, and more. Even at the end of the day, there was 14% battery remaining.

For charging, Infinix offers an 18W adapter inside the box. It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%, which feels too much in today’s times. However, a slow charging speed can be accepted, considering that the Infinix Hot 50 costs Rs. 9999 and packs a 5000mAh battery.

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Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Infinix Hot 50 5G?

Smartprix Rating: 7.7/10

Design and Build: 8/10

Display and Speakers: 8/10

Software and Haptics: 7.5/10

Performance: 7.5/10

Camera: 7.5/10

Battery Life and Charging: 7.5/10

The Infinix Hot 50 5G is a budget-friendly entry-level smartphone that combines style, functionality, and essential features. It boasts a modern, lightweight design, a robust 5000mAh battery, a user-friendly interface, and a respectable 48MP primary camera.

Additionally, it includes AI capabilities and a 120Hz HD+ display. While the charging speed may be slower and not designed for gaming, it is a suitable option for users seeking a smartphone for daily tasks within a budget of 10,000. Competing models in this price range include the Redmi 13C, Poco M6, Samsung Galaxy M14, and Moto G04s.

First reviewed in September 2024.

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