Review Verdict: While people may criticize the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G for using a weaker processor and for having a crippled camera setup, Infinix makes up for it with a better overall build, class-leading charging solutions, and a more transparent commitment when it comes to software updates.
Pros
- 100w charging is efficient
- Big improvement in overall build
- Better display than previous NOTE phones
Cons
- Using MagCharge can be tricky at first
- No ultra-wide camera
- No 4K video recording
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is a big step up from Infinix’s NOTE line, as it looks more premium than ever, borrowing a few design elements from the ZERO series. The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G stands out for its fast 100w charging and a novel MagCharge magnetic wireless charging system. Do those two key features–along with a more premium overall build, justify the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G’s asking price?
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review Philippines: Design
We have reviewed multiple models under the NOTE series in the past few years, and there’s no question that Infinix has stepped up its game with the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G when it comes to its overall build. Aside from having an IP54 rating, the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G borrows design cues from the ZERO series to solidify the premium build. That includes a more solid frame, a vegan leather back option with the Vintage Green colorway, and a curved AMOLED display–another first for the NOTE series.
The Vintage Green colorway has a gold frame and gold-colored accents, and the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G’s button and port layout remind us of the ZERO 30 series. The only notable difference is the JBL branding on top, reminding you that Infinix’s partnership with JBL is exclusive for the NOTE series.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ Review Philippines: Display
Taking cues from what you expect more on a ZERO device, the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G has a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a 120hz refresh rate. While Infinix has been implementing 120hz AMOLED displays since the NOTE 30 series, the curved AMOLED one used on the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is significantly better, especially with its maximum brightness and viewing angles.
The better display panel used on the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G does tell us that Infinix is stepping up the overall build of the NOTE series, and it makes us wonder what will happen to the ZERO series–considering that there were previous rumors that Infinix might retire the ZERO series for phones.
That aside, what makes the NOTE series stand out better than the ZERO series are those JBL-branded speakers, which sound great for a budget mid-range device. While you lose the headphone jack, it’s not a big deal as the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G has one of the better stereo speakers at its price point.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review Philippines: Cameras
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G retains the same setup you get from the NOTE 30 series, where you get a 108-megapixel main camera and two filler cameras. The only upgrade you get is the addition of OIS, which is a nice feature to have, especially if you are into handheld video recording.
While you still get the same 3x in-sensor zoom (marketing speak for digital zoom), we noticed an improvement with shooting at 3x digital zoom, with the OIS feature helping to keep the image sharp. There are limitations with what can the OIS compensate–the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G could not take fast-moving objects properly in low light, but this added feature is already a big help with shooting photos at most lighting conditions.
While video recording is limited to 2K resolution (the NOTE 30 VIP can shoot 4K video), the addition of OIS makes the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G more usable for handheld shooting, keeping footage more stable.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review Philippines: Internals and Battery Life
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G comes with a Dimensity 7020 processor and is paired with 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage.
To those not familiar, the Dimensity 7020 is a rebranded Dimensity 930, and benchmarks show that it performs slightly better than the popular Dimensity 7050 and below the newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. It may be behind the NOTE 30 VIP’s Dimensity 8050, but the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G’s Dimensity 7020 has none of the throttling and overheating issues that plagued the Dimensity 8050.
When it comes to gaming, the Dimensity 7020 performed better than the Dimensity 6080 used on the NOTE 30 5G, where it can go beyond 30FPS in Genshin Impact comfortably in medium graphics and delivered a near-flawless performance with Call of Duty Mobile and Mobile Legends even if we cranked up the settings.
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G features 100w charging–the fastest in a NOTE device–and we were able to top up the battery to 100% from 20% in around 30 minutes. The NOTE 40 Pro+’s battery life is great, as we got 13 hours and 47 minutes in PCMark’s battery benchmark. That’s roughly at par with what we got from the NOTE 30 5G last year.
As for the MagCharge system, it takes a bit of trial and error before you get used to the whole interface. There’s a small learning curve on how to align the charging puck to the magnets on the included case properly, but once you get used to it you’ll appreciate the convenience it offers.
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G comes with Android 14 out of the box, and we’re glad that Infinix is transparent with software updates. 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates may sound dated, but at least we now know that Infinix is committed to keeping the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G \’s software updated for at least 3 years.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review Philippines: Wrap-up and Conclusions
Despite arguments on how the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G felt like a downgrade over last year’s NOTE 30 VIP, it has its advantages: beyond the faster wired charging speeds and the unique MagCharge system, Infinix gave the NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G a better overall build that includes a significantly better display, along with the brand being more transparent with software updates.
Infinix NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G Review Philippines: Price
The NOTE 40 Pro+ 5G is priced at Php 13,999.
