Infinix Note 40 5G review
The Note 40 5G suits someone who spends most of their phone time browsing, messaging, and light media consumption on a big, bright screen and prefers longer battery life over gaming or high-res video. If you record a lot of video or play demanding games regularly, look for a phone with 4K recording and a faster chip; if you want multiple years of OS updates, Infinix is not the safest bet.
This review is based on Infinix’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Infinix Note 40 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Note 40 5G trades off camera and gaming muscle for a bright 120Hz AMOLED screen and 5000mAh battery at under 220 EUR. It is a competent daily driver for browsing and messaging, but video maxes at 1440p and the Dimensity 7020 keeps demanding games throttled.
Design & build
At 185g and 7.9mm thick, the Note 40 5G is slim and light for a 6.78-inch phone, sidestepping the bulk that often plagues budget large-screeners. The body is plastic, which is fine at this price; the trade-off is durability. IP53 rating means vertical water spray resistance—splash you in the rain and the phone survives, but a dropped pocket puddle or brief pool dunk invites trouble. It is not as hardy as IP54 or better, which rivals are starting to hit at this tier. The form feels balanced in hand and does not fatigue during long sessions.
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED hits 1300 nits peak brightness, which is genuinely useful: you can read it in harsh sunlight without squinting, a real pain point on dimmer budget phones. The 1080x2436 resolution is 393 ppi, low by modern standards but not jarringly pixelated at normal viewing distance on a 6.78-inch screen. The 120Hz refresh makes scrolling and swiping noticeably smoother than 60Hz; it is not a performance upgrade, just a quality-of-life one. Colours are punchy and blacks are black, as AMOLED promises. For everyday use, this screen is well-judged for the price.
Performance
The Dimensity 7020 is a mainstream midrange chip, the chip that fuels budget flagships and affordable mid-rangers across the market. It handles social media, browsing, messaging, and streaming without stutter. Gaming is where it shows its limits: PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and similar titles run at low to medium settings at playable framerates, but crank settings higher and performance drops noticeably. If you are not a heavy gamer, this is a non-issue. For power users and content creators, this chip will feel slow when rendering or switching between heavy apps. It is not a regression—it is baseline for the tier and price.
Software
Android 14 with XOS 14 overlay comes out of the box. Infinix's XOS is a light skin, not a data-hungry reskin, so bloat is manageable. Updates are the question: Infinix's track record on long-term support is patchy, so don't count on years of OS upgrades. Security patches should roll in regularly, but plan on this phone reaching the end of its software life within 3 to 4 years.
Camera
The 108MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and PDAF is the surprise here. In daylight, it captures fine detail and colours are balanced; in low light, the fast aperture and sensor size help, though noise creeps in faster than on flagship sensors. The 2MP companion lenses (macro and depth) are filler—they rarely produce usable shots. Video tops out at 1440p at 30fps, which is behind the class; most rivals at this price now shoot 4K, and that gap will widen next year. The 32MP selfie is competent for video calls and social media posts. For stills, this camera punches above its weight. For video, it is a real step back.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery yields about 1 to 1.5 days of mixed use—a realistic day of messaging, social media, browsing, and a video call or two. Heavy gaming or video playback will drain it faster, likely to bedtime. The 33W wired charger hits 50% in 31 minutes and a full charge in roughly 60 to 75 minutes, which is fine; a quick morning top-up before leaving home is realistic. The 15W wireless charging is a bonus that speeds up desk charging, though wireless is slower and more convenient for overnight tops-up. There is no 100W+ fast charging, but 33W is respectably fast for the price.
Value & verdict
At about 220 EUR, the Note 40 5G is pitched at buyers who want a large, bright AMOLED screen and decent battery without paying flagship prices. The 5G modem is included, though coverage and real-world speed gains depend on your network. Rivals at the same price vary: some prioritise gaming performance, others pack better low-light camera prowess, and a few offer longer software support. This Infinix is generalist, good at nothing in particular and weak in no single area. It is a sensible middle ground if you value screen and battery life over gaming or cutting-edge video recording.
Verdict
The Note 40 5G suits someone who spends most of their phone time browsing, messaging, and light media consumption on a big, bright screen and prefers longer battery life over gaming or high-res video. If you record a lot of video or play demanding games regularly, look for a phone with 4K recording and a faster chip; if you want multiple years of OS updates, Infinix is not the safest bet.
- 6.78" AMOLED at 1300 nits peak brightness; easy to read outdoors and 120Hz scrolling is noticeably smoother than budget 60Hz rivals
- 5000mAh battery with 33W charging hits 50% in half an hour, enough for a comfortable day of mixed use without the anxiety of mid-afternoon charging
- Slim at 7.9mm and light at 185g; one of the thinner large-screened phones at this price, not a brick
- 108MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and PDAF; captures solid detail in daylight and copes respectably with low light, unusual for budget tier
- 1440p video ceiling is behind the class—many rivals at this price now shoot 4K, leaving you without high-res recordings
- Dimensity 7020 is mainstream midrange; gaming and demanding apps throttle on high settings, and performance does not improve on last year's budget flagships
- IP53 water resistance only covers vertical spray, not submersion; less forgiving than IP54 or higher you might find nearby
Infinix Note 40 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, May 22 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7020 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min15W wireless MagChargeReverse wiredReverse wireless |
| Software | Android 14, XOS 14 |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Durability | IP53 dust protected and water resistant (vertical water sprays) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Infinix Note 40 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Note 40 5G support 5G?
Yes. The Note 40 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Note 40 5G use?
The Note 40 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7020 (6 nm).
What display does the Note 40 5G have?
A 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak), 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density).
How big is the Note 40 5G battery?
The Note 40 5G has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 33W wired, 50% in 31 min15W wireless MagChargeReverse wiredReverse wireless.
Does the Note 40 5G have NFC?
Yes, the Note 40 5G has NFC.
Is the Note 40 5G water resistant?
The Note 40 5G carries a IP53 dust protected and water resistant (vertical water sprays) rating.
Does the Note 40 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the Note 40 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Note 40 5G have a headphone jack?
No, the Note 40 5G does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Note 40 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Note 40 Pro 5G
Note 40 Pro 4G
Note 40 Pro
Note 40
Galaxy A35 5G
