Packing a capable processor, a stunning display, and a camera that holds its own, the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G, released back in April this year, is a phone that delivers high-end features without the high-end price tag.
But Infinix isn’t done yet. It recently unveiled a special edition for those who crave a phone with a design that matches their love for speed and racing.
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Racing Edition sports similar tech as the standard edition: 12GB RAM (extendable up to 24GB via software configuration), a 256GB onboard storage, and a MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset.
What sets this one apart is mainly the build. Crafted in collaboration with BMW DesignWorks, the phone sports a silver finish and features a “wings of speed” design on the matte back panel, made with advanced UV-transfer printing tech. The streamlined lines don’t just create a dynamic look, but they also improve the grip thanks to the tiny ridges on the back cover.
BMW’s iconic tri-color racing emblem is found on the camera module, leaving a subtle yet distinctive mark for its racing-inspired pedigree.
The standard retail package of the Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Racing Edition includes a USB Type-C cable, charger, tempered glass, a protective case with a faux leather trim, and a free MagPad and MagCase.
The PR kit that we got, on the other hand, came with a bunch of additional goodies that match the racing motif.
Providing power is a sizable 4600mAh battery, allowing you to enjoy the device far longer before needing to top up. With moderate use, the phone easily lasted us more than a day before getting drained. But with the power saver turned on, you can expect it to stay juiced for up to two days.
Not that a depleted battery is a problem. With the bundled 100W MAX power brick, replenishing power from 0% to 100% on Smart charging mode only takes an hour. Meanwhile, choosing the Hyper charge mode will fill up the battery up to 60% in just 15 minutes, and approximately 35 minutes to full.
Thinking of ditching the cables? Wireless MagCharge supports up to 20W charging, so you can juice up without the hassle of tangled wires. Once the device detects a full battery, it automatically disengages from charging. Infinix also give you the option to power the phone’s motherboard directly with Bypass Charging 2.0, which is particularly helpful in preserving battery health.
An enjoyable daily driver
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Racing Edition runs on Android 14 right out of the box, with XOS 14 OS on top. Overall experience is buttery smooth. Face recognition and in-display fingerprint scanning are both snappy and responsive.
Intensive activities that give the hardware a proper workout, like gaming or watching videos, can warm up the phone a bit as expected. Even so, no obtrusive throttling, hiccups, or any lag of sorts were observed.
The device feels nice to hold. A lightweight at 196 grams and only 8mm thin, it is as easy to carry as it is to keep in the pocket. While the glossy edges can be a bit slippery, the matte back panel provides a secure grip. Haptic feedback feels great, and so do the two tactile physical buttons on the device’s right side. An IP53 rating adds some level of protection from dust and water ingress.
The 6.78-inch 1080p screen is no slouch either. Featuring ultra-narrow bezels and topped with the durable fifth-generation Corning Gorilla Glass, the 120Hz AMOLED display is simply a stunner.
With up to 1,300 nits of peak brightness, using the phone under harsh lighting is not a problem. The DCI-P3 wide color gamut ensures vibrant colors and sharp details, while the TÜV Rheinland Certified Eye Care feature keeps blue light levels within a safe level to reduce eye strain.
Complementing the superb display are the dual stereo speakers, finetuned by JBL. Capable of delivering punchy sounds, the speakers don’t sound tinny even at max volume. Combined, these make the device a multimedia powerhouse. Be it reading, listening to music, watching videos, or gaming, the vivid visuals and superb audio guarantee users an immersive experience.
Shooting made fun
Casual shooters and photography geeks alike will appreciate the 32MP front-facing shooter and the 108MP main camera of this phone. Images captured are crisp and vibrant with colors.
But the clincher, really, is how well the optical image stabilization performs. It does its job quite well, resulting in sharper and more stable shots. This helps especially in challenging lighting scenarios when the shutter speed may slow down in order to get a decent exposure.
Credit also goes to Infinix for a streamlined camera app. It keeps clutter away by keeping only relevant modes and other key features for end-users to enjoy. This way, the app feels more enticing to use. In turn, taking photographs is more enjoyable.
While an overall impressive shooter, it’s not without some pitfalls. Depending on the scenario, bokeh or background blur may look unnatural. This appears more evidently in close-up shots where the subject’s edges look hazy or colors appear washed out. Zooming in too much may also degrade image quality even in well-lit scenarios, so better use it sparingly.
Additionally, the absence of a dedicated wide angle shooter is an unfortunate miss. A zoom lens has its benefits, but this reviewer finds that a wider angle of view has more utility in everyday use.
Here are some sample snaps we took:
Speed says
The Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Racing Edition is a well-rounded contender packed with features more commonly seen in higher-tiered devices. Offering a snappy performance, great battery life, an impressive camera, an immersive display and full-bodied audio, not to mention a sleek, racing-inspired design, it’s definitely a great bargain for P13,999.
If you’re in the market for an everyday device that doesn’t break the bank, you can check out the Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G Racing Edition on Lazada, Shopee, or TikTok.
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