Infinix Note 50x 5G+: Budget King with a Catch

Budget phones once stood for compromise. Now, they stand for how little they will compromise and the Infinix Note 50x 5G+ is a case in point. Under Rs 62,399, this is Infinix’s most aggressive attempt yet at the budget crown, with a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chip, a big 5,500mAh battery, a clever suite of AI software, and decent cameras.

But with all the buzzwords and spec-sheet victories, does this phone deliver where it counts most, in actual usage? After testing, gaming, streaming, and shooting for days, here’s the verdict.

Design & Display: Premium Vibe, Pixel Modesty

On first impressions, the Note 50x doesn’t shout “budget.” The matte back panel with minimalist camera arrangement feels well considered. The camera island is raised ever so slightly, but wobble is minimal. The phone finds a good balance between form and function, tipping the scales at just under 200g and boasting an IP64 rating, splash resistance at this price is no small consideration.

But the 6.67-inch HD+ IPS screen is where the corners get cut visually. Resolution tops out at 720p, which feels squishy in an age where sub-₹10K phones feature Full HD. Sure, the 120Hz refresh rate does impart some smoothness to scrolling and gaming, but the 672-nit peak brightness gets the job done outside, though not comfortably.

For watching media, this screen is… adequate. Netflix and YouTube work smoothly, though clarity takes a hit, particularly with text-intensive content or smaller UI elements. Nevertheless, the side-mounted fingerprint reader is speedy and accurate, and face unlock is remarkably swift.

Camera: Better Than the Specs Suggest

A dip from the Note 40x’s 108MP sensor to a 50MP camera on paper would seem like a step back, but the 50x maximizes it. In the daytime, the phone takes sharp, well-balanced snaps with true colours. Skin tones are treated carefully, warm but not over-smoothed, and edge detection in portraits is surprisingly tight for the price range.

The 8MP front camera is reliable in daylight, though the performance falters at night. Low-light photos are grainy, sure, but usable with night mode. Against competition like the POCO M7 Pro or Vivo T4x, the 50x can hold its own, sometimes even beating them on edge detail and colour balance.

Video recording tops out at 2K, and stabilisation is digital, but it’s good enough for casual use.

Performance & Gaming: Exceeding Expectations

The Dimensity 7300 Ultimate SoC is the star of the show. Combined with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, it provides seamless multitasking and even performs well in gaming. BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile played stutter-free on medium settings, and the thermals were under control, even without a cooling solution.

In benchmarks, the Note 50x beats the POCO M7 Pro and comes close to the more expensive Vivo T4x, a remarkable achievement for its segment. The lack of frame drops in multitasking, app switching, and minor photo editing makes this phone feel much more premium than it is.

Software & AI: Smart and Surprisingly Polished

Operating XOS 15 on top of Android 15, the UI has stabilized. It’s cleaner, smoother, and less bloated by bloatware than before. While 48 pre-installed apps still remain too many, most can be uninstalled, and the system zips along.

There is true utility in the AI suite, as well. Circle to Search is seamless, image cutouts within the gallery feel refined, and AI live-call translation, while flawed, is promising. The built-in translator, AI note capabilities, and on-screen Smart Translation gestures are convenient, if still sometimes buggy.

More importantly, Infinix guarantees two significant OS updates and three years of security updates, a welcome sign of software support in the affordable segment.

Battery Life & Charging: Solid Endurance with Quick Top-Ups

An 5,500mAh battery means that you last the day and then some. With normal usage, it lasted close to 1.5 days. At heavy loads (read: gaming + video + calls), it easily made it till bedtime.

Charging is quick, with 45W fast charging that boosts it from 20 to 100% in just over 40 minutes. Having bypass charging is a gamer’s joy, which also helps prevent heat build-up during marathon sessions. There’s 10W reverse charging as a nice added feature as well.

Verdict: Big Value, Small Gripes

The Infinix Note 50x 5G+ over-delivers, with snappy performance, solid cameras, and an enormous battery, all for under a wallet-emptier’s budget. It’s not without its flaws, the HD+ screen is a definite downer in an era of FHD+ rivals, and the absent headphone jack might be a make-or-break issue for some.

But if you’re looking for a daily driver that doesn’t lag, doesn’t overheat, and doesn’t drain by dinner, the Note 50x is hard to ignore.