Infinix Note 8i

Infinix Note 8i Review: A Perfect Blend of Power, Style, and Value for Money

When Infinix announced the Infinix Note 8 series, many smartphone enthusiasts were eager to see how the lineup would improve upon the success of the Note 7 generation. Interestingly, one of the standout models was not the main Note 8 itself but its slightly more affordable sibling, the Infinix Note 8i.

Released in 2020, the Note 8i targeted users who wanted big performance without stretching their budget. With its large display, improved camera system, refined processor, and excellent battery life, it quickly earned admiration among students, office workers, gamers, and regular smartphone lovers who wanted a reliable device at an accessible price.

In this review, we take an in-depth look at the Infinix Note 8i, covering everything from its design and performance to its camera features and real-world usage. If you’re considering a Note-series device that balances price and performance, then the Note 8i deserves your attention.

Design and Build Quality

The Infinix Note 8i comes with a design language that reflects the brand’s modern direction. It features a sleek, polished back with a rectangular camera module placed neatly at the top left. The textured gradient finish gives it a premium touch, making it feel more expensive than it actually is.

Although made from plastic, the phone’s build quality is sturdy and well-crafted. The edges are curved, offering a comfortable grip, and the overall weight distribution ensures the device doesn’t feel too heavy despite having a big battery.

Infinix also retained the side-mounted fingerprint sensor embedded within the power button, a feature users love due to its speed and convenience.

Display: Large, Clear, and Great for Entertainment

The Note 8i features a 6.78-inch HD+ IPS display, slightly smaller than the Note 8’s 6.95-inch panel but still large enough to deliver an immersive viewing experience. The screen is perfect for:

• Watching movies and videos
• Browsing social media
• Gaming
• Reading and multitasking

The punch-hole cutout at the top left houses the selfie camera, ensuring minimal distraction while maximizing screen space.

Even though the resolution is HD+ rather than Full HD, the display quality remains sharp enough for the average user, and its brightness level handles both indoor and moderate outdoor use reasonably well.

Performance: Helio G80 Brings Reliable Power

One of the strongest selling points of the Infinix Note 8i is its MediaTek Helio G80 processor. This gaming-centric chipset is built to handle multitasking, gaming, and daily usage with impressive efficiency.

Paired with 4GB or 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, the Note 8i runs smoothly across various applications. Whether you’re switching between apps, streaming content, or playing games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, the Note 8i delivers a reliable performance level typical of mid-range devices in its category.

The storage is expandable via microSD card, making it convenient for users who love keeping plenty of files, videos, and photos.

Camera: Quad Setup That Excels in Daylight

Infinix equipped the Note 8i with a respectable quad-camera setup that includes:

• 48MP main camera
• 2MP macro lens
• 2MP depth sensor
• AI lens

The 48MP lens captures vibrant photos with good detail and color reproduction, especially under well-lit conditions. Portrait mode works surprisingly well, thanks to the depth sensor, delivering nice background blur effects.

Night shots are improved over previous models due to enhanced software processing, although noise still appears in very low-light scenes—expected for a mid-range device.

On the front, a 8MP selfie camera handles social media-ready photos with natural tones and decent clarity. It also supports AI beautification and wide-angle capture, making it great for group selfies.

Battery Life: Built for Heavy Users

A powerful device like the Note 8i wouldn’t be complete without a solid battery, and Infinix ensured this with a 5200mAh battery. The phone easily lasts throughout the day even with heavy use such as:

• Watching videos
• Gaming
• Using 4G internet
• Social media scrolling

With moderate usage, you may even push the battery to last two days.

The device supports 18W fast charging, allowing you to top up the battery reasonably quickly when needed.

Software Experience: XOS 7 Based on Android 10

The Infinix Note 8i runs on XOS 7, built on Android 10. This interface brings a colorful, feature-filled experience. Users enjoy:

• Dark mode
• Smart gestures
• App drawer customization
• Social Turbo for WhatsApp features
• Game Mode for performance boosts

Although the UI comes with some pre-installed apps, most can be disabled or removed, allowing users to personalize their smartphone experience.

Gaming Experience

Thanks to the Helio G80 and the Mali-G52 GPU, the Note 8i offers surprisingly smooth gaming for its price range. Popular games perform well:

• Call of Duty Mobile: medium settings
• PUBG: balanced/medium settings
• Free Fire: excellent performance
• Asphalt 9: smooth gameplay

Thermal management is also commendable, long gaming sessions produce only slight warmth without overheating.

Audio Quality and Connectivity

The audio output on the Note 8i is decent, with a loudspeaker that performs well for videos and casual music listening. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which remains a favorite among many users.

Connectivity options include:

• 4G LTE
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• USB Type-C
• FM radio

Pricing at Release (2020)

When the Infinix Note 8i launched in 2020, its pricing was one of the major reasons people considered it a top value option.

Here are the release prices:

• Nigeria: ₦69,500 – ₦75,000
• United States: Approximately $160
• United Kingdom: Around £125
• India: About ₹11,800

These prices made the Note 8i one of the most affordable smartphones with such impressive hardware and camera features.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful Helio G80 processor suitable for gaming
• Excellent battery life with 5200mAh capacity
• Large and immersive 6.78-inch display
• 48MP camera performs well in daylight
• Premium-looking design
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Expandable storage

Cons

• HD+ resolution instead of Full HD
• Some pre-installed apps
• Average low-light camera performance
• Not the fastest fast-charging speed

Conclusion: Is the Infinix Note 8i Worth It?

The Infinix Note 8i remains one of the best mid-range devices of its release period. Its combination of a strong processor, big battery, large display, and solid camera performance makes it a great choice for budget-minded users who still want smooth performance and stylish design.

Whether you’re a student looking for an all-rounder phone, a gamer searching for affordable performance, or a general user who needs a reliable daily companion, the Note 8i delivers exceptional value for money.

With its competitive pricing and impressive feature set, the Infinix Note 8i stands tall as a worthy addition to the Infinix Note family.

Specs