The Infinix Note 50 is here, and it’s making waves in the budget smartphone space. Last year, its predecessor, the Note 40, turned heads with features like wireless charging—something you rarely see in phones under $200. But this year, the Note 50 isn’t just resting on those laurels; it’s stepping things up in ways that make you rethink what a budget phone can be. For around $200, this device brings a combination of premium design, advanced AI features, and standout functionality that punches way above its price tag.
User experience
The Infinix Note 50 is a phone that grabs your attention right away, not just because of its price but also because it feels different in your hand. Most budget phones tend to feel plasticky and cheap, but this one breaks the mold. It’s got what Infinix calls an armor alloy frame, which is basically a fancy mix of Damascus steel and aerospace-grade aluminum alloy. That might sound like marketing jargon, but trust me, it makes a difference. The phone feels solid, durable, and premium—like something you’d expect from a flagship device, not a $200 phone. You can hold it, tap around, and immediately notice how it doesn’t flex or creak. It’s clear they put thought into making this phone stand out.
Let’s dig deeper into the design. The Note 50 comes in a few colors, and the green variant I got looks sharp. It has a sleek finish that adds to that premium vibe. The hyper-casting process Infinix uses isn’t just for show—it actually improves heat dissipation, which is crucial if you’re someone who games or streams on your phone for long periods. This means the phone stays cooler under heavy use, reducing thermal throttling and improving overall performance.
One final feature worth highlighting is the Active Halo lighting system on the back of the phone. It lights up in different patterns for notifications, calls, and even video recording. You can customize it in the settings, adding a touch of personalization to the device.
Around the phone, you’ll find stereo speakers tuned by JBL, an IR blaster for controlling appliances, and a USB-C port. Everything feels well-placed and functional, though the fingerprint sensor isn’t the fastest—it gets the job done without any major complaints. Speaking of sensors, the phone also has an ambient light sensor that adjusts brightness intelligently, ensuring you don’t get blinded indoors or struggle to see the screen outdoors.
But there’s a catch—no headphone jack or microSD card slot. These omissions aren’t new; they started with the Note 40, but seeing them on the Note 50 feels more permanent. Still, Infinix gives you 256GB of internal storage, which should be enough for most people.
Now, let’s talk about the display. It’s tall, vibrant, and incredibly smooth thanks to a 144Hz refresh rate. For context, many budget phones stick to 90Hz or even lower, so this is a big upgrade. Colors pop, text looks crisp, and scrolling feels buttery smooth. Brightness is also impressive, hitting up to 1,300 nits at its peak. That means using the phone outdoors won’t leave you squinting as much.
The bezels are thinner too, giving it a modern look. Sure, they’re not perfectly symmetrical, but it’s close enough that it doesn’t bother you during everyday use. Watching videos or playing games on this display is a treat—you’ll notice details you might have missed on other screens.
Where the Infinix Note 50 really starts to separate itself is in the software department. XOS 15 is packed with features, and AI plays a huge role here. Most budget phones throw in a couple of AI tricks, but this one goes all out with over 10 AI-powered tools. There’s circle-to-search, which lets you highlight anything on your screen and search for it instantly. The listening feature works similarly to Shazam, identifying songs playing nearby.
Then there’s the AI summary tool, which can condense long articles into bite-sized summaries—perfect for skimming through content quickly. Folax, the virtual assistant, is smarter now thanks to DeepSeek advanced learning processing. She can handle a variety of tasks, though she doesn’t have access to real-time info, so you’ll need to download something like Gemini for those queries.
There are also core-related AI features worth mentioning. CLA voice capture reduces background noise during calls, making conversations clearer even in noisy environments. Call summary and real-time call translator make communication easier, especially if you’re dealing with international clients or friends who speak different languages. These aren’t gimmicks—they actually work and can come in handy depending on your needs.
Even the gallery app gets an AI boost with tools like the AI eraser, which lets you remove unwanted objects or people from photos seamlessly. This kind of attention to detail shows Infinix isn’t just slapping features onto the phone—they’re thinking about how users interact with their devices daily.
Moving on to the cameras, the setup is decent but not groundbreaking. On paper, the specs seem like a downgrade compared to the Infinix Note 40—the main camera drops from 108MP to 50MP, and the selfie camera goes from 32MP to 13MP. Numbers aside, the main camera performs admirably in good lighting. Photos taken outdoors are sharp, colors are accurate, and skies often look stunning. Low-light performance is okay but nothing extraordinary.
The selfie camera relies heavily on software processing to enhance images, and while it does a decent job, saturation can sometimes look a bit off. Videos max out at 1080p with stabilization, which is fine for casual recording, but don’t expect flagship-level clarity. One neat addition is optical image stabilization (OIS), which helps reduce shakiness when shooting handheld videos. While stabilization isn’t perfect, it’s still better than many phones in this price range.
Under the hood, the Helio G100 Ultimate chipset keeps things running smoothly. It’s not the flashiest processor out there, but it handles everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and gaming without breaking a sweat. Multitasking feels snappy, and apps load quickly enough that you won’t feel bogged down.
Battery life is solid too, with a slight bump from 5,000mAh to 5,200mAh. Expect at least 10 hours of screen-on time if you’re streaming content, similar to what the Note 40 offered. Charging is where things get interesting again. You get 45W wired charging, 30W wireless charging, reverse wired charging, and even reverse wireless charging. Wireless charging alone is rare in this price range, let alone reverse wireless charging. It’s a game-changer for anyone who values convenience and versatility.
Final thoughts
When comparing the Infinix Note 50 to competitors like the Redmi Note 14 or Samsung A16, it’s easy to see why it stands out. The Redmi Note 14 offers great value with a slightly larger battery and a better selfie camera, but it lacks wireless charging and the premium build quality of the Note 50. The Samsung A16, on the other hand, focuses on software longevity and reliability, but its hardware feels dated compared to the Note 50’s sleek design and advanced features. At $200, the Note 50 strikes a balance between affordability and innovation, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a budget phone that doesn’t compromise on key areas.
- Pros:
- Premium design and build quality.
- Excellent display with high refresh rate and brightness.
- Extensive AI features.
- Fast charging and wireless charging support.
- Good main camera performance.
- Cons:
- No headphone jack or microSD card slot.
- Selfie camera relies heavily on software processing.
- Slightly higher price compared to some competitors.
