Infinix Smart 9 review
This phone only suits someone with absolutely no other choice in a region where it is still being dumped as surplus stock and who expects to replace it within a year. Anyone with access to a Poco, Redmi, or similar budget line should skip it without hesitation.
This review is based on Infinix’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Infinix Smart 9, 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 Infinix Smart 9 is a 2017 budget phone with a 5-inch 720p display, 1GB RAM, and a MT6580 chipset—it feels ancient by any standard. Unless you live somewhere with no alternatives and need a phone that costs £50 and runs basic apps, look elsewhere.
Design & build
The phone sits comfortably in one hand at 145g and 8.4mm thick, with a glass front and plastic back that feels like a toy by modern standards. The IP54 rating protects against dust and splashes but is the bare minimum; a drop onto concrete will likely crack where glass meets plastic frame. For 2017, this was acceptable; in 2026, rivals at this price offer better durability or none of this pretense at all.
Display
A 5-inch IPS LCD with 720p resolution stretches to 294 ppi density, which sounds fine on paper but means visible pixelation at arm's length—text in books or documents noticeably jaggles. No refresh rate to speak of, so scrolling feels stiff compared to modern budget phones. Brightness is unspecified but typical of budget 2017 phones, meaning outdoor use in strong sunlight will be difficult.
Performance
The MT6580 quad-core running at 1.3 GHz is genuinely slow in 2026. One gigabyte of RAM means the phone will choke on anything beyond email and light web browsing; even basic multitasking (switching between two apps) causes noticeable stalling. Gaming is not an option. System updates ceased years ago, and the aging Mali-400MP2 GPU struggles with modern apps. For the price, there are far newer budget phones with at least 4GB RAM and current chipsets.
Camera
The 8MP main sensor with autofocus and LED flash can capture a recognizable photo in daylight, but lacks the detail and color accuracy of even modern budget competitors. The 2MP selfie is a placeholder. Video maxes out at 720p@30fps, a low baseline even for budget phones in 2024–26, and compression artifacts will be obvious on any screen larger than the phone itself.
Battery & charging
The 3060mAh cell is too small for an all-day phone in 2026, especially with an unoptimized OS and no power-saving features. You are looking at six to eight hours of mixed use before needing a charge. The 10W charger is glacial—expect three to four hours to full capacity, which punishes anyone without a wall outlet nearby or traveling. Budget alternatives now offer 5000mAh or more with 18W+ charging.
Software
Android 7.0 Nougat from 2017 is a security liability by 2026. The phone is discontinued, so no updates are coming. Modern Android apps either will not install or run poorly on this OS version. You are locked in a time capsule with no escape route.
Value & verdict
At £70, this phone is approaching the price of entry-level models from Poco, Redmi, and Samsung that ship with current Android, 64GB storage, and 5000mAh batteries. The only scenario where Smart 9 makes sense is if you are in a remote market with zero other options at this price and only need the most basic calls, SMS, and messaging. Even then, wait a few months for a newer surplus model. This phone is obsolete and getting worse every month as apps drop support.
Verdict
This phone only suits someone with absolutely no other choice in a region where it is still being dumped as surplus stock and who expects to replace it within a year. Anyone with access to a Poco, Redmi, or similar budget line should skip it without hesitation.
- Extremely cheap at around £50–70
- Compact 5-inch form factor and light at 145g
- Expandable storage via microSDXC and dual SIM slots
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
- Only 1GB RAM and 16GB storage—sluggish even for basic tasks in 2026
- Android 7.0 from 2017, years behind on security and features
- 8MP camera with 720p video is unfit for anything beyond snapshots
- 10W charging takes hours and 3060mAh battery runs dry by mid-afternoon
Infinix Smart 9 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2017. Released 2017 |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main camera | 8 MP, AF |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
| Battery | 3060 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wiredReverse wired |
| Software | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Dimensions | 144.9 x 71.9 x 8.4 mm (5.70 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA |
| NFC | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
Infinix Smart 9 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Smart 9 support 5G?
No. The Smart 9 tops out at GSM / HSPA, without 5G.
What chipset does the Smart 9 use?
The Smart 9 runs on the Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm).
What display does the Smart 9 have?
A 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density).
How big is the Smart 9 battery?
The Smart 9 has a 3060 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 10W wiredReverse wired.
Does the Smart 9 have NFC?
No, the Smart 9 does not list NFC support.
Is the Smart 9 water resistant?
The Smart 9 carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the Smart 9 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Smart 9 supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Smart 9 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Smart 9 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Smart 9 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Smart 9 HD
Smart 8 Plus
Smart 8 Pro
Smart 10 HD
Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
