A new report from DataFintech, a Kenyan consumer data broker reveals that Infinix Mobile has monopolized the first position in mobile brand popularity by topping 100% of Q2-2017 and a total of 66.7% of the entire H1-2017.
This data cannot be doubted, I mean we all agree Infinix has been doing pretty well in the Kenyan market. Infinix, joined the Kenyan in a bid to provide high quality phones for the low-end market and this worked for them. The brand redefined the meaning of low and mid budget smartphones after it first launched in Kenya with Infinix Hot Note and the Infinix Hotx507, launched at Ksh 8,500 and Ksh 10,000 respectively. Since then, the company has been releasing every now then, putting them top of other smartphone brands in the country.
The Infinix Note 4 is the latest device from the company which we have already told you about before even it was launched last month. We managed to get the device from our friends at Infinix Mobile. You can read all our previous articles about the phone here.
We already did an unboxing article for you too which you can read about it here.
We have interacted with the phone for a couple of weeks now. Just to let you know the device has been on the shelves for close to 4 weeks now retailing for just Kshs.13,999. This is quite a reasonable price.
The Infinix Note 4 is the successor of the Infinix Note 3 that was launched way back in 2016. Well, we loved the Note 3 thanks to the beautiful design. The device was undoubtedly a good device. Good battery life, great bright display, a beautiful body and decent cameras too. The Infinix Note 4 is not much different, the specifications are not quite different. The design is perhaps the biggest change Infinix gave to the Note 4.
Let’s get into the details but first, below are the specs highlights:
- Screen Size : 5.7 Inches FHD IPS Touchscreen
- Screen Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Processor Type: Octa-core CPU, MediaTek MT6753 Chipset
- RAM: 2GB
- Internal Storage: 16 GB.
- External Storage: microSD, up to 128 GB
- OS: XOS Based on Android 7.0 (Nougat)
- Back / Rear Camera: 13MP camera & Dual LED Flash
- Front Camera: 8MP
- Front-placed Fingerprint scanner
- SIM Type: Dual SIM (Micro)
- 4G LTE: YES
- Battery: 4300 mAh Non-Removable
Infinix Note 4 Review
Design and Display 8/10
As we said, earlier the design is the major change that differentiates the Infinix Note 4 from the Infinix Note 3. When we first wrote an article about the Infinix Note 4 we mentioned that it will be all metal at the back and that it will be be a 6.0-inch curved display. Of course all this were from the rumours that were spreading on the internet, which always tend to be true. Did we get it right?
Well, the device has a smooth design, with curved edges. Built from premium materials with a metal print back, the Note 4 result is a seamless design that makes you fall in love with the phone. The Note 4 feels great in the hands too, it’s slim and also slightly reduced in size compared to what we saw on the Note 3. The screen size is 5.7 Inches FHD IPS Touchscreen with a Screen Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels.
The phone screen is curved, which is actually one of the things I loved about the phone. The curved screen gives it a Samsung Galaxy Edge look which makes the phone really attractive. Curved screens are becoming the distinguishing features of truly modern smartphones and is one of the smartphone features that was expected to pop up throughout 2017.
Infinix has also embedded a home button on this latest piece, so for those who have been complaining for so long about this, your wishes have been answered. The home button is located under the display with the fingerprint sensor embedded underneath as well as the navigation keys.
Above the display is also where you can find the the 8.0MP selfie camera, sensors and the earpiece. The power and volume keys are located on the left right hand side of the phone. At the very top is the 3.5mm headphone slot.
At the back of the phone is where we have the 13 MP main camera and Dual LED Flash with an Infinix logo underneath. The speaker grilles are located at the bottom of the phone with a MicroUSB port for charging and data transfer in between them.
Software and Performance 6/10
The Infinix Note comes with Android 7.0 Nougat with XOS Chameleon v2.3 Custom UI on top. I loved the fact that Infinix decided to use the latest version of Android on the Note 4. I mean any smartphone launching in the market should consider running on the latest version of Android. This is also the first device from Infinix to be shipped with Android 7.0 Nougat .
I love the XOS Chameleon v2.3 Custom, it makes the Infinix Note 4 stand out from other Android devices in the market. It’s very colorful and also comes with a number of Infinix specific apps known as X Apps. The XOS though build on top of Android gives consumers quite a good user experience although the home screen remains unchanged from earlier versions of XOS Chameleon.
The Note 4 is powered by a 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6753 processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage space that can be expanded using a MicroSD card. Did I love it? Well it worked well, though at times I had to struggle in between an activity. For example when I tried switching between apps but experienced some lags. This was the case when I tried opening huge apps, like game apps. All in all this should not worry anyone wishing to buy this phone
Battery and charging 9/10
This is probably one of the best thing about the Infinix Note 4. The giant 4300mAh non-removable battery is one of the things that can make one spend his cash on this phone. The battery could last me an entire day yet I am a very heavy user and always on the move. I can attribute this to the Xpower feature on the device While during normal usage the phone could push me up to two days, yes two days. Even on Wifi, the battery performs really well.
The fact that the battery is huge one would expect to encounter problems when the phone is charging , but that’s not the case. The Note 4 supports first charge thanks to the Xcharge feature on the phone and you can have at 70% from 10 % in for about half an hour. The battery does not also overheat.
Camera 7/10
Don’t expect too much from the Infinix Note 4 camera, but again it does not disappoint. The main camera is 13MP camera with Dual LED Flash. The image stabilisation and auto-focus forthis device is however not that good but still, you will have little to complain after seeing the photos. The main camera also gives you different manual controls and can also shoot full HD videos.
For selfie lovers, the front camera is 8MP and does not disappoint. The picture quality is pretty good for a device that costs just Ksh,14,000.
Fingerprint Scanner 8/10
Infinix made some changes to the fingerprint sensor, unlike what we saw on the Note 3, the Infinix Note 4 fingerprint sensor is in the front bezel, embedded in what should be a home button. The sensor is very responsive .
Other than just unlocking the phone, you can also use the fingerprint sensor to secure apps with XHide, as well as activating the camera.
Conclusion
First I love the device, despite the specs not really being what we all expected, but still it performs well. The device commands elegance with its design, no doubt about that. The difference between it and the Note 3 might not be that big but the few upgrades Infinix made to it make the device worth giving a second look.
The fingerprint sensor is very responsive, I loved that and the camera despite the few challenges we mentioned earlier produces some quality images. Honestly if I had Ksh.14,000 I would definitely spend it on this device. So if you never used the Note 3 the try the Note 4.
Remember we also have the Infinix Note 4 Pro, a more premium variant of the Infinix Note 4 and there is so much you should expect from the device. The two phones specs are not that different just that the Pro version has the Stylus pen (X-Pen). Another difference between the duo is the RAM and internal storage. You can read more about the Infinix Note 4 Pro specs here. The device is expected to hit the market around mid August.
Have anything you would love to add to our Infinix Note 4 Review? Leave us a comment in the comments section below.
Read>>The Infinix Note 4 is now on Jumia for Kshs. 13,999
