Infinix Hot Note Review

Performance and Benchmarks

Powering the device is a 1.4GHz MediaTek MT6592 octa-core CPU, Mali-450 GPU, and 2GB RAM. Performance is good from light tasks to games. When not running any apps it has a surplus memory of 1.12GB of RAM.

When playing games like EA’s UFC, the temperature topped at 36-C. UI navigation and animations are smooth however we encounter some “System UI has stopped” when we’re clearing the device’s memory from recent apps. It crashes the system and forces the UI to restart. It’s a software bug that we hope can be addressed by an update.

* AnTuTu – 30,087
* Quadrant Standard – 16,442
* Vellamo – 1,216 (Multicore), 769 (Metal), 2,064 (Chrome)
* 3D Mark – 4,422
* Gaming Temp – 36-C

Connectivity and Call Quality

The main connectivity feature of the Hot Note is its support for dual-SIM (micro). Both SIM slots support 3G connectivity, unfortunately, no LTE which is a downer. Other features include WiFi and Bluetooth. We have no qualms when it comes to call quality. Voices are loud and clear on both ends. Mobile data is not a problem as well as long as you’re in an area with strong coverage.

Battery Life

Now for the Hot Note’s knock out punch, the 4,000mAh battery. It’s non-revomable but can last you for two days if you’re a light to moderate user. In our PC Mark battery test, the battery life was rated at 13 hours and 15 minutes. In our standard video loop test, it was capable of 16 hours worth of playback.

It also comes with notable power saving features like Android Lollipop’s built-in battery saver, Standby Intelligent power saving, Heartbeat sync which prevents the device from being frequently awoken by apps when screen is off or in standby, and Ultra lower power mode which turns off some apps and connectivity feature to conserve power.

When the time comes that it has to be charged, the Hot Note supports quick charging (Infinix Mobility calls it Flash Charging) and can replenish the battery from 0% to 100% in under two hours.

Conclusion

To conclude, the Infinix Hot Note is not the type of smartphone that will dazzle you with its design or features. What it is offering to the consumers is a smartphone that can last you up to two days and can handle the most important tasks even gaming without breaking the bank.

There are caveats like the absence of LTE and UI bugs, but at Php5,990USD 102INR 8,653EUR 97CNY 743, the Hot Note is one of the most affordable smartphones out there with this kind of battery. Overall, a solid daily driver.

Infinix Hot Note (X551) specs:
5.5-inch HD IPS display (720 x 1280 pixels), 267ppi
1.4GHz MediaTek MT6592 octa-core CPU
Mali-450 GPU
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
expandable up to 32GB via microSD
8-megapixel rear camera w/ LED flash
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM (Micro SIM)/ Dual-Standby
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 4.0
USB OTG
GPS w/ A-GPS
4,000mAh Li-pol non-removable battery
Android 5.1 Lollipop with XUI
156 x 77.88 x 8.9mm
172g

What we like:
* Affordable price
* Great battery life
* Flash charging
* Vibrant display

What we didn’t like:
* Some UI bugs
* No LTE
* Below average camera performance