Infinix Hot 40 Pro (X6837) Review, Price And Specifications.

Infinix Hot 40 Pro (X6837) Quick Specs:

Display: 6.78" Full-HD+ (2460×1080) 120hz IPS-LCD Infinity-O Display.

Software: Android 13 OS, XOS 13.5 Skin.

CPU: Helio G99 Ultimate (6nm).

RAM: 8GB (Up to 16GB through Virtual RAM).

Storage: 256GB (expandable up to 1TB).

Rear Camera: Triple-lens (108MP+2MP+QVGA).

Front Camera: Single-lens (32MP).

Security: Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock.

Port: USB Type-C.

Network: 4G (LTE).

Speaker: Stereo.

Battery: 5,000mAh.

Charging Speed: 33W..

Starting Price:

₦275,000, KSh 27,999, GH₵ 2, UGX 630,500

As the name suggests, Infinix Hot 40 Pro (X6837) is the better equipped version of the standard Infinix Hot 40 (X6836). Putting them side by side, they both look identical. They both have identical hole-punch displays, and their back covers also look alike. Even specs-wise, they have a lot in common. In fact, the only three things that distinguish the Hot 40 Pro from the regular Hot 40 are its higher megapixel rear camera, more powerful CPU, and faster charging speed. Otherwise, all the other attributes of the phone remain as those of the regular model.

In addition to the Hot 40 and Hot 40 Pro, there's also Infinix Hot 40i (X6528). However, the Hot 40i is the cheapest off all the three phones and it is slightly smaller. Also as expected, Hot 40i is powered by a low-end CPU and its camera system is basic.

And when compared to the competition, Infinix Hot 40 Pro stands out with its impressive camera. The phone features an higher megapixel front-facing camera. And it's able to capture clearer and better looking selfies than the competition. Though the rear camera set-up is similar to those of the competition, yet photos taken with phone's rear camera are slightly clearer.

In addition to the camera, another selling point of the Hot 40 Pro is design. The phone sports an attractive design and looks more premium than the contenders. It also has good build quality.

Also unlike the competing phones, Hot 40 Pro supports Reverse wired charging and it comes with complete accessories in its box.

However, there are drawbacks. Firstly, Infinix Hot 40 Pro is fitted with an IPS-LCD display. Though the display looks nice, but the main contenders have better looking AMOLED displays. 

Secondly, in spite of its good build quality, and a tendency to last long (like the main contenders), there is no assurance of major Android OS updates for the phone, even that despite it's pre-installed with previous version of the OS. The phone also has no IP rating nor Corning Glass protection of the contenders.

Design Colours And Price:

Infinix Hot 40 Pro is available in various colour options of Palm Blue, Horizon Gold, Starlit Black, Starfall Green, And Free Fire. And the current price of the phone is about 275,000 Naira.

The Contenders:

Although the base version of the Samsung Galaxy A15 attracts a much lower price than the Infinix Hot 40 Pro, but the version with higher RAM and higher storage space (as the Hot 40 Pro) attract almost the same price. The Samsung phone is powered by the same CPU as the Hot 40 Pro, Even, unlike the Infinix phone, A15 is pre-installed with the latest version of Android OS. And as expected of a Samsung phone, A15 comes with an assurance of future OS updates.

But, both the front and rear cameras of the Samsung phone have lower megapixel sensors. Still, photos taken with the A15 main rear camera look as impressive as the ones from the Hot 40 Pro.

Design-wise, however, the Samsung phone looks a little less appealing and it's smaller than the Infinix Hot 40 Pro. Still, A15 has a slightly better build quality and features AMOLED display.

But, typical of a Samsung phone, A15 comes with only Type-C to Type-C cable in its box.

At a similar price, Redmi Note 13 4G was able to combine the selling points of the Hot 40 Pro with those of the Galaxy A15. Because Note 13 has an AMOLED display like the Samsung phone, and the display is as big as that of the Hot 40 Pro. Even compared to that of the Galaxy A15, the AMOLED display of the Redmi phone is more vibrant. And it even supports an "higher" screen refresh rate like the IPS-LCD display of the Hot 40 Pro.

Redmi Note 13 also has the same rear camera set-up, amount RAM and storage space as the Hot 40 Pro. Also despite that the Redmi phone CPU is different, the performance is similar to that of the Hot 40 Pro (and A15). Even, while the Samsung and Infinix features regular side-mounted fingerprint reader, Redmi Note 13 comes with In-display fingerprint reader.

But, the Redmi phone is running on the same (previous) Android version as the Hot 40 Pro. Still, like the Galaxy A15, there's an assurance of OS updates for the Redmi phone. Even, like the Infinix Hot 40 Pro (or unlike the Samsung phone), Redmi Note 13 comes with a charger and earphone in the box.

By the way, Tecno Spark 20 Pro is supposed to be an alternative for the Infinix Hot 40 Pro, unfortunately, this Tecno phone is just a substitute for the Hot 40 Pro. In other words, from design to the specs, Spark 20 Pro is the same phone as the Hot 40 Pro.

NOTE: It should be noted that both of the Galaxy A15 and Redmi Note 13 comes with Hybrid SIM trays, while the Infinix phone features regular 3-in-1 SIM tray. Which means that you can either use 1 SIM card+microSD card or 2 SIM (without microSD) cards for both of the Samsung and Redmi phones.

DESIGN: Sleek & Premium Looking:

Though Infinix Hot 40 Pro has the same familiar sleek design (an hole-punch display, flat edges, flat back cover, and iPhone style camera bump) of most recent phones. Yet, with its silver coated frame, glastic back cover and premium looking camera bump, the phone still appears unique and classier.

Still, the front of phone looks a little less sleeker than the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13. Also despite that the Hot 40 Pro has a better build quality than most phones at this price point, it doesn't possess the premium feel and build quality of the Note 13 and Galaxy A15. For instance, the Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the front of the Redmi phones is absent on the Infinix phone. Also unlike the Spark 20 Pro that's IP53 (dust and splash resistant) certified, Hot 40 Pro has no IP Rating. Notwithstanding, as i said before, the phone is built to last.

Furthermore, in spite of its all-flat appearances, Infinix Hot 40 Pro is a little uncomfortable to operate with one hand. Which is as result of its wider aspect ratio. Interestingly, the wider aspect ratio is one of the selling points of this phone. Because it brings about a better screen real estate, or a more pleasant viewing experience, when it comes to media contents like games and movies.

In summary, Infinix Hot 40 Pro is an elegant and premium looking phone, but the size of the phone's rear camera bump bothers me a little. The two layers iPhone style camera bump appears unnecessary big and intrusive on the back of this nice looking phone. I prefer the minimalistic camera bump on the back of the Spark 20 Pro.

Meanwhile, the arrangement of ports and buttons on the Infinix Hot 40 Pro are similar to those of other budget phones. The phone features a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port and a microphone. And all of them, including the phone's primary speaker, are concentrated on the bottom edge. The only thing on the top edge of the Hot 40 Pro is second speaker.

On the phone's right edge is power button and volume keys. While its dual nano-SIM+microSD card slot (and tray) are located on its left edge.

A Big Pretty Display: 

The size of the Hot 40 Pro display is 6.78-inch. And it has a 1080p resolution of 2460-by-1080 pixels. The screen also support high refresh rate (for smoother gaming, page scrolling, and swiping) of up to 120hz. Even, unlike those of the competitions, the screen of the Hot 40 Pro presents you with four refresh rate options of Automatic, 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz.

However, being an IPS-LCD panel, the screen doesn't have impressive contrast, better viewing angles, and wider colour gamut of the AMOLED panels of the Note 30 and Galaxy A15, yet it has nice colour reproduction and impressive level of clarity and vibrancy. Even, despite that its peak brightness is just around 500nit, the screen is still viewable under direct sunlight.

Impressive Photography:

Though Infinix Hot 40 Pro main rear camera is similar to those of the contenders, but the phone is fitted with an higher megapixel front-facing camera. In details, Infinix Hot 40 Pro comes with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera and a 108-megapixel triple rear camera. Normally, an higher megapixel camera does not necessarily imply better looking photos, but, Hot 40 Pro was able to take advantages of its higher megapixel front facing camera and deliver better looking selfies than its rivals. The shots from the phone rear camera also look impressive.

Starting with the shots from the main rear camera. Basically, it should be known that the sharpness and level of details (of the Hot 40 Pro photos) are like those of the Redmi Note 13; which has the same main camera as the Infinix phone. Even, despite that the Galaxy A15 is fitted with a lower megapixel rear sensor, photos taken with the phone also have the same level of details.

However, when the photos (from the three phones) are Zoomed-In, the ones from the Hot 40 Pro are slightly more clearer. Colour representation of the shots from the Infinix also look slightly better. The colours appear more true to life and they are moderately saturated. The shots also devoid of warm tone. In other words, they have better white balance.

However, when it come to Portrait shots (the ones that blurs backgrounds), Redmi Note 13 has better subject separation. The HDR shots from the Redmi phone also come out slightly better than those of the Hot 40 Pro and A15. 

It should be note that the differences between the photos taken with the Hot 40 Pro back camera and those of the competitions are not that glaring. However, selfies from the Hot 40 Pro really stand out. Which, as i mentioned earlier, is basically as a result of the phone's higher megapixel sensor.

Apart from the fact that the selfies are more clearer and detailed, they also have better colour representation. The skin tone is more true to life. HDR and Portrait shorts also look much better.

Also while the contenders can only shoot videos up to 1080p (with both of their front and rear cameras), Inifnix Hot 40 Pro can go up to 2K at 30fps. But if video Stabilization is turned ON, the Infinix phone can only shoot at 1080p. Infinx Hot 40 Pro also feature Dual Video. This feature allows you to use both the front and rear camera of the Hot 40 Pro to shoot videos simultaneously or at the same time.

It should be noted that out of all the four competing phones (Galaxy A15, Redmi Note 13, Spark 20 Pro and Hot 40 Pro), it's only the Hot 40 Pro that features Video Stabilization.

Robust Performance, New Custom UI, But Previous OS:

Though Infinix Hot 40 Pro comes with the latest XOS 13.5v skin (that has feature like Magic Ring), but the phone is running the new custom UI on top of the Android 13 OS. Even, as i said earlier, while the Redmi Note 13 (that features the same Android version) offers up to two years of OS updates, there's no such promise for the Hot 40 Pro. Notwithstanding, this Infinix phone may likely get Android 14 update.

And  if you prefer a phone that's running on the Android 14 out of the box, Galaxy A15 is the right choice. Even, the A15 comes with an assurance of up to three years of major software updates.

Yet, the Samsung phone features the same CPU as the Infinix Hot 40 Pro. In details, Infinix Hot 40 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate processor. Despite that the CPU is a mid-range gaming chipset, Hot 40 Pro played most of the graphics demanding games at high frame rates. Though, to ensure consistent smooth gaming, some of the games had to be played at Medium graphics settings.

And when it comes to less graphics demanding games and heavy multi-tasking, the performance of the Hot 40 Pro is seamless. Even, and apart from the fact the phone was able to deliver better performance than the Qualcomm SD685 powered Redmi Note 13, it also outshines Galaxy A15 (which has the same Helio G99 CPU Ultimate) a little. 

Infinix Hot 40 Pro comes with 256GB inbuilt storage and 8GB of RAM. And to ensure a consistent speedy performance, the default 8GB of RAM of the phone can be increased, through Virtual RAM (or MemFusion), up to 16GB. The phone's 256GB inbuilt storage can also be expanded up to 1TB (One Terabyte) via microSD card.

Long Lasting Battery:

Like the competitions, Infinix Hot 40 Pro has 5,000mAh battery. And it's also power efficient (thanks to its 6nm Helio G99 CPU). Even when the phone's screen is refreshing at 120Hz, the battery still last long. And, as i mentioned earlier Hot 40 Pro is the only one among the contenders that comes with Reverse Wired charging. The feature that enables you to use your phone as a Power Bank, i.e, to charge another phone. But the Reverse charging speed is slower than even normal charging speed. 

Infinix Hot 40 Pro support quick charging of up to 33W. And with its out of the box 33W charger, it'll take you a little less than two hours to fully charge Infinix HOT 40 Pro from zero percent. 

Infinix Hot 40 Pro (X6837) Full Specs:

GENERAL

Maker: Infinix Mobility.

Name: Hot 40 Pro (X6837).

Year Released: December, 2023.

Dimensions: 168.6x76.6x8.3mm

Weight: 199g (7.02 oz).   

Colour: Starlit Black, Starfall Green, Palm Blue, Horizon Gold & Free Fire.

DISPLAY
Screen Type: IPS-LCD Capacitive Touch-screen.

Size and Resolution: 6.78-inch, Full-HD+, 2340-by-1080 pixels, 120Hz (high) Refresh Rate.

Aspect ratio & Pixel Densities: 19.5:9, 396PPI.

Protection N/a.

PORTS:

3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes.

USB Type-C Port: Yes.

MicroUSB port: No.

Lightning Connector: No.

Google Assistant Button: No.

PERFORMANCE

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G99 6nm Octa-Core Processor, 2.2GHz.

GPU: Mali-G57 MC2.

RAM: 8GB (With up to 8GB of Virtual RAM).

Operating System: Android 13, XOS 13.5.

STORAGE

Internal Storage: 256GB.

Micro-SD card slot: Yes, up to 1TB (One Terabyte).

SIM AND NETWORK

SIM: Nano, Dual SIM slots.

Network:  GSM, HSPA+, & LTE.

CAMERA

Rear camera: Triple-lens; 108MP (Wide)+2MP (Macro)+AI (Auxiliary), Quad-Flash.

Front camera: Single-lens, 32MP+ Front Flash.

VIDEO RECORDING:

Rear Cameras: 720p, 1080p, 2K @ 30 fps.

Front Camera: 720p, 1080p, 2K @ 30 fps.

CONNECTIVITY:

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, HotSpots, USB-OTG, NFC.

BIOMETRIC, SENSORS & LOCATION: 

Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted Fingerprint Reader.

Sensors: Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, G-sensor, Accelerometer And

Barometer sensor

Others: GPS, Location (Geo, Glonass).

BATTERY

Battery Capacity: 5,000mAh.

Reverse (Wired) Charging: Yes

Qi Wireless-Charging: N/a.

Fast Charging: 33W (Wired).