Infinix Note 40S

Infinix Note 40S Review: A 2024 Mid-Range Powerhouse That Punches Above Its Price

“Infinix finally proves that the mid-range can feel premium — without asking for flagship money.”

Introduction: A New Chapter for Infinix

It’s 2024, and the smartphone market is more competitive than ever. Every brand, from Samsung to Xiaomi to Tecno, is fighting to dominate the mid-range space. Amid this chaos, Infinix has quietly but confidently carved a niche for itself, focusing on offering premium-feeling devices at shockingly affordable prices.

Enter the Infinix Note 40S, the latest entry in the company’s beloved Note lineup. Designed for those who crave a flagship-like experience without paying flagship prices, the Note 40S is a statement of intent. It’s a smartphone that doesn’t just look good on paper; it feels good in the hand, performs smoothly in daily life, and offers little luxuries you wouldn’t expect at this price point.

Launch and Pricing: The Sweet Spot of Affordability

The Infinix Note 40S officially launched in September 2024, hitting store shelves across Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East shortly after.

Here’s how the pricing looked at launch:

• Nigeria: ₦140,000
• India (approx.): ₹17,000
• Global equivalent: ~$200

At this price, the Note 40S positioned itself squarely in the upper-mid-budget segment, that sweet spot where you get a little bit of everything: solid performance, good design, strong battery life, and a camera that actually impresses.

It’s worth remembering that Infinix has always targeted value-hunters, people who want the most features for the least money. And with the Note 40S, they seem to have nailed that formula.

Design & Build: A Touch of Premium in Your Palm

The first time you pick up the Note 40S, it’s hard to believe it’s a sub-$200 phone.

At just 7.8 mm thick and 176 g in weight, it’s both slim and lightweight, fitting comfortably in one hand. The rear panel has a silky matte texture that resists fingerprints beautifully, and the camera module, bold, circular, and slightly raised, gives the phone a futuristic edge.

The phone comes in two color variants that ooze sophistication:

• Vintage Green, an elegant, forest-green tone that catches light beautifully
• Obsidian Black, a deep matte black with subtle shimmer under sunlight

The edges are softly curved, and the AMOLED display subtly bends at the sides, giving the illusion of a premium flagship. Even the side buttons, tactile, metallic, and well-positioned, reinforce that attention to detail.

And yes, Infinix gave it an IP54 rating for splash and dust resistance. That’s rare in this price range.

The design language feels more mature, more deliberate, less “budget,” more “refined.”

Display: 120 Hz of Smooth Brilliance

One of the biggest surprises here is the 6.78-inch AMOLED display.

Let’s be honest, AMOLED panels are still not guaranteed in budget phones, and when they do appear, they often come with compromises like low refresh rates or dim brightness. Not here.

The Note 40S packs a Full HD+ (1080 × 2436) panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and peak brightness up to 1300 nits. That’s impressive by any standard.

Scrolling through menus feels buttery smooth, animations are fluid, and watching videos,  especially HDR-style content, is pure joy. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and the brightness ensures visibility outdoors under the harsh Lagos or Dhaka sun.

Infinix even slimmed down the bezels this year, pushing the screen-to-body ratio to nearly 90%, giving a more immersive visual experience.

Whether you’re watching Netflix, gaming, or just doom-scrolling TikTok, this display never feels cheap.

Performance: Reliable Power from the Helio G99 Ultimate

Under the hood, the Note 40S runs on the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate, a refined version of the popular G99 chip built on a 6 nm process.

It’s paired with:

• 8 GB of RAM (expandable virtually up to 16 GB)
• 256 GB of internal storage (UFS 2.2)
• Mali-G57 MC2 GPU

For daily users, this means one thing: smooth performance. Apps open quickly, switching between social media and messaging is lag-free, and even games like Call of Duty: Mobile or PUBG run comfortably at medium to high settings.

Of course, this isn’t a gaming monster like the Dimensity 810 or Snapdragon 778G, but at this price, it’s remarkably capable. Heat management is decent too; Infinix added a vapor cooling chamber, which helps sustain performance during long gaming sessions.

Battery & Charging: The All-Day Powerhouse

Battery life is one of the biggest reasons people love the Infinix Note series, and the 40S proudly continues that legacy.

It packs a 5000 mAh battery, optimized by Infinix’s Power Marathon Tech, which extends longevity when you’re low on juice.

But here’s the fun part: 33 W fast charging and even wireless charging support in some regions, a huge surprise for a mid-range device.

Infinix also introduced its MagCharge technology, similar in spirit to Apple’s MagSafe. It allows for 20 W wireless charging using magnetic accessories. It’s not the fastest, but it’s incredibly convenient, especially at this price level.

In real-world use, the Note 40S easily lasts a full day and a half on moderate use. Stream, browse, game a bit, and it’ll still have power left when you go to bed.

Cameras: A Serious Leap for Infinix

The camera system on the Note 40S is another area where Infinix clearly paid attention.

Rear Camera

• 108 MP main sensor (f/1.9, PDAF)
• 2 MP macro sensor
• AI lens / depth sensor

Front Camera

• 32 MP selfie shooter with dual LED flash

The 108 MP sensor captures stunning daylight photos. Detail retention is excellent, and color accuracy has improved compared to older Infinix phones. HDR works reliably, pulling out highlights and shadows without overprocessing.

At night, the AI Night Mode brightens scenes without introducing too much noise, something earlier Infinix models struggled with.

Video recording goes up to 1440p at 30 fps, and stabilization, while not gimbal-grade, does a decent job keeping footage smooth.

Selfies from the 32 MP front camera look crisp and flattering, with balanced skin tones and good sharpness. Infinix’s dual LED front flash, a fan favorite, helps a lot in low-light selfies, making it a content-creator-friendly device.

Audio & Connectivity: JBL Tuning Makes a Difference

Audio is often overlooked in this price range, but not here.
The Note 40S features dual stereo speakers tuned by JBL, producing loud, clear, and surprisingly balanced sound. Vocals are clean, bass is present, and overall it delivers a much richer listening experience,  whether watching movies or playing music.

Connectivity-wise, you get:

• Dual 4G SIM (no 5G, but excellent LTE speeds)
• Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth 5.2
• NFC (region-dependent)
• USB-C port
• Under-display fingerprint sensor

The under-display sensor is another premium touch, performing quickly and accurately.

No 5G might disappoint some, but considering many of Infinix’s key markets (Africa, South Asia) still rely heavily on 4G, it’s not a dealbreaker.

Software: XOS 14 on Android 14 — Cleaner and Smarter

Running Android 14 with XOS 14, the Note 40S feels smoother and more refined than older Infinix software versions. The UI design is cleaner, bloatware is reduced, and animations are more cohesive.

Infinix has also introduced a few smart new features:

• AI Wallpaper Generator — changes wallpapers dynamically
• Smart Panel — for quick access to favorite apps
• Game Mode 3.0 — blocks notifications, boosts performance during gaming
• Battery Guardian — learns your charging habits to preserve battery health

Infinix promises two years of major updates and three years of security patches, a welcome commitment for users who plan to keep their phones for several years.

Pros & Cons Recap

What We Loved

• Vibrant 120 Hz AMOLED display
• 108 MP high-resolution main camera
• Smooth Helio G99 Ultimate performance
• Wireless & reverse charging support
• Sleek, lightweight design with IP54 rating
• Great stereo speakers tuned by JBL
• Under-display fingerprint sensor
• Excellent battery life

What Could Be Better

• No 5G connectivity
• Only 33 W wired charging (competitors like Realme offer 67 W+)
• No ultra-wide camera lens
• Software updates still not as fast as Pixel or Samsung

Real-World Impressions: Living with the Note 40S

Using the Infinix Note 40S day-to-day feels refreshing. It’s one of those devices that doesn’t constantly remind you it’s a “budget phone.” Everything, from the silky smooth display to the fluid software, feels just right.

Whether you’re taking quick photos at a concert, watching YouTube on full brightness, or charging it wirelessly at night, the experience feels seamless and reliable.

The Note 40S gives you confidence, nd in this segment, that’s what matters most.

Verdict: Mid-Range Magic, 2024 Edition

At launch, for around ₦140,000 / $200 /  the Infinix Note 40S was one of the most well-rounded phones of 2024. It doesn’t break new records, but it redefines expectations for what a mid-range device can offer.

If you want a beautiful display, dependable performance, long battery life, and premium design, all without spending a fortune, the Note 40S is an easy recommendation.

It’s proof that Infinix isn’t just playing catch-up anymore, it’s setting trends in the mid-range world.

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