Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus: An In-Depth Look at 2025’s Budget Smartphone Champion

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus has taken the budget smartphone market by storm, offering a premium experience at an unbelievably affordable price of ₹14,999. After testing this device for a few days, I’m genuinely impressed by Infinix’s transformation in 2025.

I remember mentioning last year that Infinix’s offerings left much to be desired, but this year, they’ve clearly listened to feedback, delivering a phone that not only shines in hardware but also boasts a vastly improved software experience.

From its stunning 3D curved AMOLED display to its robust performance, the Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus feels like a high-end device at a fraction of the cost. Let’s explore why this phone is a defining moment for Infinix in 2025!

Unboxing Experience: A Packed and Thoughtful Bundle

Opening the Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus box feels like a treat, especially for a budget phone. Inside, you’ll find a well-rounded set of accessories that add value to your purchase.

There’s the usual documentation, including brochures, and some playful stickers you can use to decorate your gear—perfect for adding a personal touch. The box also includes a color-coordinated blue case for the Marine Drift Blue variant (other colors like Titanium Grey and Ruby Red get matching cases too), which feels sturdy and offers decent protection.

For charging, Infinix provides a 45W fast charger and a USB Type-A to Type-C cable, ensuring quick power-ups. A SIM ejector tool is also included, making it easy to set up the dual nano-SIM slots. This unboxing experience reflects Infinix’s attention to detail, giving you everything you need to get started right out of the gate.

Unboxing Contents Table

Item	Description	Purpose
Documentation	Brochures and manuals	Guides for setup and usage
Stickers	Decorative stickers	Personalize your gear
Case	Color-coordinated blue case	Protects the phone
Charger	45W fast charger	Quick charging support
Charging Cable	USB Type-A to Type-C	Connects charger to phone
SIM Ejector Tool	Metal tool for SIM tray	Access dual nano-SIM slots

Design and Build: Premium Aesthetics with Unique Touches

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is a design marvel for its price range. At just 7.6mm thick and weighing 180.2 grams, it feels incredibly light despite housing a massive 5500mAh battery—a feat that rivals more expensive phones. The Marine Drift Blue variant features a vegan leather back with Energising Scent-Tech, infused with marine, lemon, lily of the valley, amber, and vetiver notes.

This scented finish brings back nostalgic memories of scented school supplies, though its longevity depends on usage and environmental factors. Other color options, Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, sport metallic finishes for a more sleek look.

The front is dominated by a 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED display, protected by Gorilla Glass 5, which proved its durability in a drop test—no scratches or damage after a couple of drops! The phone’s layout includes a SIM tray, microphone, USB Type-C port, and speaker grill at the bottom; a power button (with an in-display fingerprint sensor) and volume rocker on the right; a secondary speaker and microphone on top (tuned by JBL); and a clean left side. With an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance and MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification, this phone is built to withstand daily wear and tear.

Design and Build Table

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Thickness	7.6mm	Slim and easy to handle
Weight	180.2 grams	Lightweight for a 5500mAh battery
Back Material	Vegan leather (Marine Drift Blue) with Energising Scent-Tech	Unique sensory experience
Color Options	Marine Drift Blue, Titanium Grey, Ruby Red	Variety to suit preferences
Display Protection	Gorilla Glass 5	Durable against scratches and drops
Durability Ratings	IP64, MIL-STD-810H	Resistant to dust, water, and shocks
Port Layout	Bottom: SIM tray, mic, USB-C, speaker; Right: power, volume; Top: speaker, mic; Left: none	Functional and accessible design

Display and Multimedia: A Visual and Audio Delight

The display on the Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is nothing short of exceptional for a budget device. It features a 6.78-inch FHD+ 3D curved AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling, gaming, and animations.

With a peak brightness of 1300 nits, the screen is easily visible indoors and outdoors, even in direct sunlight. The 10-bit panel supports 1 billion colors, delivering vibrant visuals, while the 2304Hz PWM dimming minimizes eye strain during prolonged use.

It also supports Widevine L1 for HD streaming on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, though it lacks HDR support—a minor drawback.

The tall aspect ratio makes watching movies and series immersive, and the JBL-tuned stereo speakers with Hi-Res audio certification provide loud, high-quality sound. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show or gaming, the multimedia experience on this phone punches well above its price class.

Display and Multimedia Table

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Display Size	6.78-inch	Large screen for immersive viewing
Display Type	FHD+ 3D Curved AMOLED, 10-bit panel	Vibrant colors, 1 billion colors
Refresh Rate	144Hz	Smooth scrolling and gaming
Brightness	1300 nits	Visible in bright sunlight
PWM Dimming	2304Hz	Reduces eye strain
Streaming Support	Widevine L1 (HD streaming), no HDR	High-quality streaming capability
Audio	JBL-tuned stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio	Loud, high-quality sound

Software and UI: A Refined Experience with XOS 15

Infinix has historically struggled with software, but the Note 50s 5G Plus marks a turning point. Running Android 15 with the new XOS 15 skin, the UI feels clean, smooth, and modern—a stark improvement over previous iterations.

During setup, you’ll encounter a few pre-installed apps (like Facebook and Instagram), but these can be uninstalled, even some system apps, ensuring a bloatware-free experience. The animations, swipes, and transitions are fluid, giving the phone a premium feel that rivals devices costing ₹25,000 or more.

Features like an always-on display, AI-generated wallpapers, and customizable icons (shape, size, colors) add a personal touch. The Active Halo Lighting enhances notifications, gaming, and calls, while AI features like AI Writing Assistant, AI GC Portrait, and the Folax AI Assistant bring smart functionality to the table. Given your interest in AI tools from Google’s AI Essentials course and iOS 18.4.1 features, you’ll appreciate how Infinix has integrated AI to enhance usability, such as AI cam modes and writing aids. Infinix promises 2-3 years of security updates, which is commendable for a budget device.

After days of testing, I found no bugs, stutters, or hangs—a surprising feat for a ₹15,000 phone.

Performance and Gaming: Powerhouse for the Price

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset, a 4nm processor that scores between 675,000 and 680,000 on AnTuTu—impressive for a budget phone.

It’s paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM (a rare inclusion at this price) and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and storage for your apps and media. Gaming performance is solid, with the ability to run titles like Free Fire and Call of Duty at 90 FPS, thanks to the XBoost game mode.

The gaming dashboard lets you disable notifications and enable bypass charging to manage heat during extended sessions. CPU and throttle tests showed minimal thermal throttling, making it reliable for casual gamers. Connectivity options include 10 5G bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, an IR blaster, and GPS, though it lacks NFC—a common omission in this segment.

The 5500mAh battery offers excellent endurance, lasting over a day with heavy use, and supports 45W fast charging (1-100% in about 60 minutes) and 10W reverse wired charging. A Reserve Charge feature provides up to 27 minutes of WhatsApp usage on just 1% battery, adding a practical touch for emergencies.

Performance and Connectivity Table

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate, 4nm	High performance for the price
AnTuTu Score	675,000–680,000	Strong benchmark results
RAM	8GB LPDDR5X	Fast multitasking, rare in segment
Storage	128GB/256GB UFS 2.2	Ample space for apps and media
Gaming Features	XBoost mode, 90 FPS support, gaming dashboard	Smooth gaming experience
Connectivity	10 5G bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, IR blaster, GPS, no NFC	Robust options for connectivity
Battery	5500mAh, 45W fast charging, 10W reverse charging	Long-lasting with quick top-up
Special Battery Feature	Reserve Charge: 27 mins WhatsApp on 1%	Useful in emergencies

Camera Capabilities: Versatile and Feature-Rich

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus sports a dual-camera setup on the rear, led by a 64MP Sony IMX682 primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), delivering sharp, detailed photos with good colors. It’s paired with a 2MP macro sensor, which is functional but not groundbreaking.

The 13MP front camera captures decent selfies, with a beautify feature that can be disabled for natural shots. The camera supports 4K video recording at 30 FPS, 10x digital zoom, and a plethora of modes including freestyle, leisure, portrait, AI cam, super night, slow motion, time-lapse, dual video, panorama, super macro, pro mode, sky replacement, and document scanning.

AI features like AI Eraser, AI Image Cutout, and AIGC Portrait enhance creativity, while the Active Halo Light adds flair for gaming, notifications, and camera timers. While the camera performs well in daylight, low-light shots could use improvement—a common trait in budget phones. Overall, it’s a versatile setup for casual photographers and vloggers.

Camera Specifications Table

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Rear Camera	64MP Sony IMX682 (OIS) + 2MP macro	Sharp, detailed photos
Front Camera	13MP with beautify feature (optional)	Decent selfies for the price
Video Recording	4K at 30 FPS, 10x digital zoom	High-quality video capability
Camera Modes	Freestyle, leisure, portrait, AI cam, super night, slow motion, time-lapse, dual video, panorama, super macro, pro mode, sky replacement, document scanning	Versatile shooting options
AI Features	AI Eraser, AI Image Cutout, AIGC Portrait	Enhances creativity and editing

Additional Features and Durability

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is packed with thoughtful features that enhance its appeal. It includes an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock, both of which work quickly and reliably. The phone supports FM radio, a dynamic bar for charging notifications, and an IR blaster for controlling appliances.

The IP64 rating ensures resistance to dust and water splashes, while the MIL-STD-810H certification guarantees durability against drops and harsh conditions. The Gorilla Glass 5 protection adds an extra layer of toughness, as proven in the drop test.

These features make the phone a practical choice for travelers or anyone needing a device that can handle daily challenges.

Additional Features and Durability Table

Feature	Details	Why It Matters
Security	In-display fingerprint sensor, face unlock	Quick and secure access
Additional Features	FM radio, dynamic bar, IR blaster	Practical for daily use
Durability	IP64 dust/water resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification, Gorilla Glass 5	Built to withstand tough conditions
Notification Feature	Active Halo Lighting	Visual alerts for calls, gaming

Comparison with Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?

Given your interest in budget devices like the Oppo K13 5G (priced at ₹17,999 for 8GB/128GB), let’s compare. The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus offers a better display (144Hz AMOLED vs. 120Hz AMOLED on the Oppo) and a more refined software experience with XOS 15.

Both phones have similar battery capacities (5500mAh), but the Infinix supports faster 45W charging compared to the Oppo’s 33W. The Dimensity 7300 Ultimate on the Infinix edges out the Oppo’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in gaming performance, and Infinix’s JBL-tuned speakers provide a better audio experience than the Oppo’s single speaker.

However, the Oppo K13 5G has a slight edge in camera quality with its 50MP main sensor and better low-light performance. If display, software, and audio are priorities, the Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is the better pick at a lower price.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Good and the Not-So-Good

Pros:

• Stunning 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED display with 1300 nits brightness
• Lightweight (180.2 grams) and durable with IP64 and MIL-STD-810H certification
• Smooth and clean XOS 15 on Android 15 with 2-3 years of updates
• Powerful Dimensity 7300 Ultimate chipset with LPDDR5X RAM
• Massive 5500mAh battery with 45W fast charging
• JBL-tuned stereo speakers for excellent audio
• Unique scented vegan leather back adds personality

Cons:

• Lacks NFC, which might be a dealbreaker for contactless payments
• No HDR support for the display
• Low-light camera performance could be better
• Scented back’s longevity varies based on usage

Final Thoughts: A Defining Moment for Infinix in 2025

The Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus is a remarkable achievement for a brand that’s been working to overcome past shortcomings. With a premium 144Hz AMOLED display, a powerful Dimensity 7300 chipset, and a refined XOS 15 experience, this phone feels like a ₹25,000 device at a ₹14,999 price point.

The unique scented back, JBL-tuned speakers, and military-grade durability add flair and practicality, making it a standout in the budget 5G segment. This phone offers the perfect balance of performance and features for your vlogging and review needs—especially with its versatile camera modes and immersive display. If you’re looking for a budget smartphone that doesn’t compromise on quality, the Infinix Note 50s 5G Plus should be at the top of your list. What do you think about Infinix’s latest offering? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!