Infinix Smart 9 (X6532) Price, Review, And Specifications.

Infinix Smart 9 (X6532) Quick Specs:

Display: 6.7" HD+ (1612×720)  120hz IPS-LCD Hole-punch Display.

Software: Android 14 (Go Edition) OS, XOS 14.0 Skin.

CPU: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra (12nm).

RAM: 3GB/4GGB (And up to 4GB of Virtual RAM).

Storage: 64GB/128GB (expandable up to 2TB).

Rear Camera: Dual-lens (13MP+QVGA).

Front Camera: Single-lens (8MP).

Security: Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock.

Port: USB Type-C.

Network: 4G.

Speaker: Dual.

Battery: 5,000mAh.

Charging Speed: 10W.

Starting Price:

₦130,000, KSh 10,300, GHc 1,540,

UGX 350,000.

Note: The Infinix Smart 9 (X6532) shouldn't be mistaken for the Infinix Smart 9 HD (X6532C). The latter has less processing power.

Though, except for that, there's no other noticeable difference between the two phones.

Still, if you like to get things done quickly, consider the regular Infinix Smart 9.

Despite its affordable price, the Infinix Smart 9 (X6532) has a premium design and good build quality. It boasts a high refresh rate display and impressive stereo speakers. The phone also has a decent camera.

And under the hood, the Infinix Smart 9 is equipped with a spacious inbuilt storage and powered by a recently unveiled and competent CPU.

However, the phone doesn't support fast charging and lacks an infrared remote controller found on some competing models. Instead, it comes with a dedicated and impressively bright LED flashlight.

Meanwhile, compared to its predecessor, i.e., the Infinix Smart 8, the Infinix Smart 9 looks more appealing and has better build quality. The latest phone’s display is slightly bigger and supports a higher screen refresh rate. The stereo speakers on the phone also sound significantly better than the single one on the Smart 8.

As i mentioned, the Smart 9 is equipped with a newer and more capable CPU, which enables it to deliver better performance. It also comes pre-installed with a recent Android OS and latest Infinix custom UI.

However, the phone has the same amount of RAM and storage configurations as the previous model. The camera setup and battery capacity also remain unchanged. Also as i mentioned, the phone does not support fast charging.

Price And Design Colours.

Infinix Smart 9 is available in various colour options of Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, Sandstone Gold. The phone's current price is about 130,000.

The Competing Phones.

The Tecno Pop 9 (KL4) comes in size and shape of the Infinix Smart 9. It also shares many of the Infinix phone's features. The Tecno phone has the same display attributes, Android version, RAM, and storage configuration as the Smart 9. It also features stereo speakers and the same camera setup. Even, unlike the Smart 9, the Tecno Pop 9 includes an infrared remote controller and supports fast charging.

However, the Tecno phone is powered by a different CPU, though its processing power is similar to that of the Smart 9. Still, i prefer the CPU inside the Infinix phone.

Also despite having the same display attributes as the Infinix phone, the Tecno phone’s display is slightly less vibrant. Photos taken with the Pop 9 also appear a bit less impressive, despite having an identical camera setup.

Also design-wise, the Tecno phone sports a different camera bump. And the phone looks and feel slightly less premium than the Smart 9.

Additionally, the stereo speakers on the Tecno phone do not sound as impressive as those on the Infinix.

Premium Looks, Good Build Quality:

Design-wise, the Infinix Smart 9 looks like any other budget phone at this price point. It features a familiar hole-punch display, flat sides, and a flat rear panel. Still, the phone stands out with its premium look and distinctive camera bump.

The bump is shaped like a rounded square and houses a pair of vertically placed cameras along with two vertically aligned LED sensors. The first LED sensor is a standard LED flash that helps with photography in low-light environments, while the second LED sensor functions as a flashlight or torch, which comes in handy when walking at night or in the evening. Infinix claims it can illuminate up to 5 metres ahead.

As i said, in addition to its unique camera bump, the Infinix Smart 9 also looks more premium than most other similarly priced phones. The phone has good build quality and features a flat (8.4mm) frame. The Infinix Smart 9 is also IP54 (Dust and Water Splash resistance) certified.

However, its other physical attributes are similar to those of most budget phones. On the right side, you'll find the volume keys and power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint reader. On the left side, there’s a 3-in-1 SIM tray that supports two nano-SIM cards and one microSD card.

This phone comes with stereo speakers. While the first speaker is placed on the bottom side of the phone, alongside a 3.5mm audio jack, a microphone, and a USB Type-C port, the second speaker is positioned on the top side. That is the only component found on the top side.

Same Screen Attributes, But Higher Refresh Rate:

Just like the one on the Smart 8, the 6.7-inch IPS-LCD display of the Infinix Smart 9 features a 720p resolution of 1612 by 720 pixels. However, while the high screen refresh rate (for smoother gaming, page scrolling, and swiping) of the earlier model is peaked at 90hz, the one of the Smart 9 can go up to 120Hz.

Still, in addition to the default 60Hz refresh rate option, the display also retains the 90Hz and Auto refresh rate options (which adjust dynamically) of the previous model to help preserve battery life. At this price point, only the Smart 9 offers such a variety of refresh rate options.

Furthermore, in addition to its higher screen refresh rate, the display of the Infinix Smart 9 also offers slightly better picture quality than that of the earlier model. Though, due to the same resolution, the display sharpness (which is just okay) remains the same, but color rendition and screen brightness have been improved.

And thanks to its higher peak brightness (about 500 nits), the Smart 9's display appears more vibrant and slightly easier to view under direct sunlight.

The Infinix Smart 9’s display also features Always On Display (AOD), a feature typically found on phones with AMOLED screens. The AOD screensaver appears on the display while the phone is charging, and there are multiple AOD screensaver options available in the display settings.

Decent Camera:

The Infinix Smart 9 features a dual rear camera setup consisting of a 13MP main sensor and a 0.8MP AI or auxiliary sensor. On the front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera. While this setup is the same as the one on the Smart 8, photos taken with the Smart 9 look slightly better.

Still, as expected from a budget phone at this price point, photos taken with the front and rear cameras of the Infinix Smart 9 are not particularly detailed or impressive. However, they are sharp and clear enough for most occasions. Color rendition, dynamic range, and portrait shots look decent. But, like most budget phones, good lighting conditions are necessary to capture clear and vivid photos with the Smart 9.

By the way, like most phones in this segment, both the front and rear cameras of the Infinix Smart 9 can record videos at up to 1080p at 30fps (frames per seco

Better Performance And Recent Software:

Like most phones at this price point, the Infinix Smart 9 runs on the lightweight (Go Edition) version of Android 14 OS, with Infinix’s XOS 14.0. custom UI on top. Nonetheless, and despite its affordable price, the Smart 9 is equipped with a capable CPU.

Specifically, the Smart 9 is powered by the recently unveiled MediaTek Helio G81 CPU. Although the Helio G81 is also a 12nm entry-level chipset, like the Unisoc T606 found in the Smart 8, it offers better processing and graphics performance. It also performs slightly better than the Unisoc T615 that comes with the Tecno Pop 9. That’s why i said earlier that i prefer the CPU inside the Infinix Smart 9 over the one on the competing Pop 9.

That said, the Infinix Smart 9 retains the 3GB and 4GB RAM options of its predecessor. It's also available in 64GB and 128GB internal storage variants. Still, while the inbuilt storage of the earlier model can be expanded, via a microSD card, up to 1TB (one terabyte), the Infinix Smart 9 supports expansion up to 2TB. And i think it's the only phone at this price point that offers such a huge storage expansion.

Meanwhile, as a result of its beefier CPU, the Infinix Smart 9 is smoother and more responsive than its predecessor. Generally and when it comes to day-to-day usage, the Smart 9 multitasks efficiently and handles internet browsing and video streaming without lagging. Also, because the Helio G81 is an entry-level gaming processor, the phone performs better in demanding games than the competition and its predecessor. However, most of these games need to be played at low graphics and low frame rate settings to minimize lagging or stuttering. Also considering the fact that the maximum amount of RAM available for this phone is 4GB.

Same Battery, But More Energy Efficient:

Like its predecessor and most budget phones, the Infinix Smart 9 packs a 5,000mAh battery. However, the new CPU of this phone is slightly more energy-efficient. As a result, the Infinix Smart 9 has better battery life than its predecessor and most phones at this price point.

Unfortunately, while the competing Tecno Pop 9 features 15W fast charging, the Infinix Smart 9 retains the 10W charging of its predecessor. And with its out-of-the-box 10W charger, it will take you about two hours and thirty minutes to fully charge the battery from zero percent.

Infinix Smart 9 (X6532) Full Specs:

GENERAL

Maker: Infinix Mobility 

Name: Smart 9 (X6532).

Year Announced: September, 2024.

Dimensions: 165.7x77.1x8.4mm.

Build Resistance: IP54 (Dust and water splash resistance) certified.

Weight: 188g.   

Colour: Mint Green, Metallic Black, Neo Titanium & Sandstone Gold.

DISPLAY
Screen Type:  IPS-LCD Capacitive Touchscreen.

Size and Resolution: 6.7-inch, HD+, 1612-by-720 pixels, 120Hz high refresh rate.

Aspect ratio & Pixel Densities: 20.15:9, 266PPI.

Protection: N/a.

PORTS:

3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes.

USB Type-C Port: Yes.

PERFORMANCE

Chipset: MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra, 12nm Octa-Core Processor, 2.0GHz.

GPU: Mali-G52 MC2.

RAM: 3GB/4GB (up to 4GB Extra through RAM extension).

Operating System: Android 14 (Go Edition), XOS 14.0 custom UI.

STORAGE

Internal Storage: 64GB/128GB.

Micro-SD card slot: Yes, up to 2TB (two terabyte).

SIM AND NETWORK

SIM: Nano, Dual SIM slots.

Network:  GSM, WCDMA, HSPA+, LTE.

CAMERA

Rear camera: Dual-lens; (13MP+0.8M) With LED-Flash.

Front camera: Single-lens, 8MP (f/2.0) Single Front Flash.

VIDEO RECORDING:

Rear Cameras: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.

Front Camera: 720p, 1080p, @ 30 fps.

CONNECTIVITY:

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, HotSpots, USB-OTG.

BIOMETRIC, SENSORS & LOCATION: 

Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.

Sensors: Ambient light sensor, G-sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass And IR blaster.

Others: GPS, Location (Geo, Glonass), Beidou, Galileo, Compass.

BATTERY

Battery Capacity: 5,000mAh.

Wired Fast Charging: Yes (10W).

Reverse (Wired) Charging: N/a

Wireless-Charging: N/a.

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