In a world where smartphones are evolving at lightning speed, finding a device that balances affordability, functionality, and style can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Enter the Infinix Hot 50i, a budget-friendly contender aiming to deliver an attention-worthy experience without breaking the bank. But does it truly live up to its claims?
Display & Design
From the box, the Infinix Hot 50i is a handset with a look that you have probably seen numerous times before. The phone comes with a general boxy look with round corners that make it easier to use and carry daily. The screen is generally well-sized with all corners being easy to reach with a single hand.
The 6.7-inch IPS LCD screen was another highlight for me. With its 720×1600 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling felt rather smooth, and watching videos or playing light games was a pleasant experience. The 500 nits peak brightness is not ideal and at times made me struggle to read messages or check emails when I was outside on sunny days.
Read: 8 Months Later: The Infinix Note 40 Pro Surpasses Expectations
Performance in Daily Use
Using the MediaTek Helio G81 chipset felt solid for most basic tasks. I opted for the 128GB storage with 6GB RAM variant, and it handled multitasking quite well. Apps like social media, YouTube, and light photo editing apps ran smoothly. However, when I pushed it with heavier games like PUBG, there was a bit of lag, which wasn’t unexpected at this price point. The virtual RAM expansion feature was a nice touch, and it seemed to slightly improve the phone’s ability to handle multiple apps open at once.
Navigating through Android 14 with XOS 14.5 was intuitive. The UI was stable enough, and I especially liked the ‘Ask AI assistant, which made finding information or setting reminders easier. That said, the pre-installed bloatware was a minor annoyance, though it was easy to uninstall most of it.
Camera
The 48MP main camera was a pleasant surprise. I spent an afternoon snapping photos, and the results were impressive for the price—sharp, vibrant, and detailed in good lighting. The Super Night Mode wasn’t perfect, but it managed to bring out decent shots in low light, which is rare in this range. Videos at 1080p@30fps were stable enough for casual use. The 8MP selfie camera also did a fine job for quick social media uploads, though it struggled a bit in dim lighting.
Battery Life
One of the things I loved most about the Hot 50i was the 5000mAh battery. On a busy day of emails, YouTube, and gaming, the phone easily lasted until bedtime, and lighter days stretched to nearly two full days. Charging was fast enough with the 18W support, and the bypass charging feature let me use the phone while it charged without worrying about overheating the battery.
What Could Be Better
Of course, the Hot 50i isn’t perfect. During heavier use, like gaming or editing large files, I noticed some occasional lag. It wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, but if you’re looking for a phone to handle demanding tasks all the time, this might not be your best bet. Also, while the camera did well in daylight, the results in low-light situations weren’t as consistent.
Verdict
Overall, using the Infinix Hot 50i felt like getting its money’s worth, especially for a device that costs about KES 13,500. The display, cameras, and battery life exceeded my expectations for a budget phone, and while it had its limitations, they didn’t detract much from the experience. This is a solid option if you’re on a tight budget but still want a phone that looks and performs well. I’d confidently recommend it to friends who prioritize value for money and need a reliable everyday device.
