The Infinix HOT 50 Pro+, along with the HOT 50, is making a grand entrance in the Philippines, flaunting sleek aesthetics and a very tempting price tag of P8,499 (roughly $146).

Available in Titanium Grey, Sleek Black, and Dreamy Purple color variants, this smartphone has already turned heads with its impossibly thin profile and curved AMOLED screen. Now, after weeks of using our unit with 8GB/256GB configuration, we’re finally ready to share our full review and reveal if this top-end member of the HOT 50 family lives up to the hype.

@revuphilippines Hot! 🔥 We share our #InfinixHOT50ProPlus first impressions at www.revu.com.ph / #RevuDotComDotPH. #HOT50ProPlus #InfinixHOT50Series #HOT50Series ##WOOOWNewHOT #SlimDownPowerUp #Infinix #InfinixPH #InfinixPhilippines @Infinix @monch @Alora Uy Guerrero ♬ original sound – Revu Philippines

Our preview video of the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+

Built for performance and longevity

Infinix is pitching the HOT 50 Pro+ as a budget-friendly phone that can handle your everyday needs and then some. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Helio G100 chip, which is a bit of an unknown quantity for us since we haven’t tested it before. This processor, built on TSMC’s 6nm process, features a combination of high-performance Cortex-A76 clocked at 2.2GHz and Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz, ensuring reasonably smooth performance for daily tasks and light gaming. Graphics are handled by a dual-core Mali-G57 GPU, which should be capable of running most games at respectable settings.

We fired up some graphically demanding games to put our unit through its paces, and honestly, we were pretty impressed. Honkai: Star Rail ran at a smooth 33 FPS with the graphics cranked up to medium. Even the recently released Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm mobile game held its own at a respectable 29 FPS. These are good numbers for a handset at this price, especially considering how demanding these games can be. Honor of Kings, while not as demanding as the games mentioned above, hit a buttery-smooth 60 FPS with the FPS preset cranked up to High and resolution set to Ultra.

Benchmark scores are solid, but real-world usage is where it counts. And in that regard, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ delivers. The 5,000mAh battery pack easily powered through a full day of typical use — browsing the web, scrolling through social media, watching videos, and even squeezing in some gaming. No need to constantly hunt for a charger with this model.

However, it’s not just about endurance; it’s about sustained performance as well. The HOT 50 Pro+ manages to stay cool under pressure, even when we push it with demanding tasks. We ran some intensive benchmarks, and the smartphone showed no throttling below 80% of maximum performance. This should translate to a consistently smooth experience, potentially free from those frustrating lag spikes that can plague other phones.

Speaking about longevity, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ has earned a TÜV SÜD Fluency Certification, meaning it has undergone rigorous testing that simulates years of heavy use to ensure it remains smooth and responsive for up to five years — a big promise in the budget market, where devices often start to feel sluggish after a year or two.

But Infinix doesn’t stop there. The HOT 50 Pro+ likewise boasts a massive 5,000mAh battery that’s designed to handle an incredible 1,600 charge cycles. That’s more than double the lifespan of most phone batteries, allowing you to charge it daily for four years without significant degradation. And when you do need to top it up, the 33-watt fast charging gets the job done in a respectable amount of time. We clocked it at about 80 minutes for a full charge, and you can get a quick 40% boost after just 30 minutes plugged in. Not too shabby.

Engineering thinness

Infinix has a reputation for pushing design boundaries in the smartphone space, but the HOT 50 Pro+ takes it to a whole new level rarely seen at its price point. The first thing you’ll notice is just how incredibly thin this model is. At 6.8mm, it’s practically unheard of in this space, making it possibly the slimmest phone you can find for under P9,000 (below $154) on the local market.

But the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ isn’t just slim, it’s also incredibly light. Weighing in at a mere 162 grams, it’s easily one of the most comfortable devices we’ve used all year. Seriously, you can use this thing one-handed for extended periods without any fatigue, even with the included plastic case on. This design philosophy, combined with a curved display, contributes to a device that is both visually appealing and a pleasure to use.

Infinix achieved this level of design sophistication through a clever engineering process it calls TitanWing Architecture. You can read about this in length in our feature article about the HOT 50 Pro+, but basically, Infinix rearranged the guts of the unit to make the most of every bit of space inside.

The motherboard, in particular, has been reduced in size by 24% compared to its predecessor, and the antenna system has been redesigned for both space efficiency and structural integrity. Further contributing to the smartphone’s impressive form factor, Infinix replaced traditional metal brackets with thinner, yet stronger stainless steel, resulting in a 20% reduction in thickness.

Despite its slim profile, the HOT 50 Pro+ doesn’t compromise on battery life either. A high-density battery ensures ample capacity for extended usage without adding unnecessary bulk. You also get a triple-slot tray, accommodating two nano SIM cards and a microSD card. It’s a big win for users like us who don’t want to compromise between using two SIM cards simultaneously and expandable storage. Notably, NFC comes standard on this variant, letting you use contactless payment services where available; quickly share files to nearby devices with a simple tap; and easily pair with NFC-enabled Bluetooth speakers. It’s one of those small additions that can make a big difference in everyday use.

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ also boasts dual speakers, tuned by JBL, that deliver decent sound for gaming and casual media consumption. However, keep in mind that the placement of the speakers along the top and bottom edges does introduce the possibility of accidental muffling during landscape use. And while the 3.5mm headphone jack has been omitted to maintain the sleek design, users can connect USB-C headphones to leverage DTS Sound processing and a system-level equalizer for an enhanced audio experience you can customize to your liking.

On paper and in person, this HOT 50 Series model surely impresses. But is it durable? Infinix assures us that the phone should be able to handle everyday bumps and drops. It’s IP54-rated for dust and water resistance, too, and the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which offers up to four times the scratch and drop resistance of conventional screen glass. That’s a feature we typically only saw on flagship devices a few years ago.

The company even went the extra mile with advanced touchscreen technology that keeps the screen responsive even when wet or greasy. Scrolling through social media feeds in a mild downpour? We were able to do it on our review unit without any issues.

Curved AMOLED that’s also easy on the eyes

Up front, you’re looking at a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate that maxes out at 120Hz. The panel itself is excellent in this segment, offering vibrant colors and shadowy blacks that look great when paired with the system’s Dark Theme and wallpapers with predominantly black color themes. And with barely-there bezels achieving a 93.8% screen-to-body ratio, you get an immersive viewing experience that pulls you right in. Infinix even throws in Widevine L1 support, so you can stream HD content on all the popular platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video.

When it comes to YouTube content, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ can handle up to 1440p resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second, allowing you to enjoy those high-quality videos. Just keep in mind that HDR isn’t supported, so you won’t get those extra-vibrant colors and details.

The smartphone offers flexibility with multiple refresh-rate options. You can choose between 60Hz and 120Hz, although a 90Hz middle ground is missing. The auto mode intelligently adjusts the refresh rate based on content, prioritizing 120Hz for smoother visuals and dropping to 60Hz to conserve battery life when viewing documents, editing photos, or browsing websites. Unfortunately, you don’t have the option to set specific refresh rates for individual apps.

Infinix says the device’s screen can reach a respectable 1,300 nits of peak brightness. In our experience, it holds its own under direct sunlight, with outdoor visibility comparable to other AMOLED devices in its class. While it doesn’t quite reach the eye-searing brilliance of some flagships, it’s perfectly usable even on bright days.

The always-on display is a nice touch, letting you quickly peek at the time, date, weather, notifications, and even the number of steps you’ve taken during the day (with the phone in your hand or pocket, of course) without waking up the device. But the brand takes it a step further with some seriously fun customization options. Want a quirky animated avatar — or HOTMOJI, as Infinix calls it — that dances on your screen? You got it! And when you do need to unlock the handset, the embedded fingerprint sensor is relatively fast and reliable.

The HOT 50 Pro+ also incorporates several features designed to enhance visual comfort. In addition to a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion, the display has received TÜV Rheinland certification for low blue-light emission, minimizing eye strain. Plus, Infinix has implemented 2,160Hz PWM dimming to reduce flicker, a common issue with AMOLED panels that can contribute to eye fatigue, especially at lower brightness levels. This attention to eye comfort is noteworthy, as many manufacturers in this price segment prioritize basic specifications like resolution and brightness over long-term use.

Good enough for everyday snaps

Around the back, you’ll find a vertically aligned triple-lens setup that looks kinda fancy, but don’t let it fool you. The HOT 50 Pro+ really only has one main 50-megapixel camera that does the heavy lifting. The other two sensors are basically just there for show — no ultrawide or telephoto option here. It’s a bit of a bummer, but hey, you can’t have everything especially at this price point. On the plus side, the selfie camera in a punch hole at the center is surprisingly decent. It’s an 8-megapixel shooter with a wide autofocus lens that lets you squeeze in extra friends or capture more of the background in your shots.

Even in low light, the HOT 50 Pro+ manages to hold its own. Infinix’s dedicated Super Night mode brightens up those dim scenes. While you might see some noise if you zoom in, the photos are definitely good enough for sharing on social media. Video recording is decent, too. You can capture footage at 2K resolution and 30 frames per second with both the front and rear cameras. If you want smoother video, you can bump it up to 60 FPS, but you’ll have to settle for a slightly less sharp 1080p resolution. And if you’re prone to shaky hands, both cameras offer video stabilization, but only at FHD resolution and 30 FPS.

Sample shots

Infinix throws in an AI eraser tool with the HOT 50 Pro+, but it’s not exactly magic. Unlike some other smartphones that can effortlessly make photobombers disappear, this one requires a bit more effort. You have to manually select what you want to remove using a brush tool. We think it’s better if you grab a third-party app or use Google’s Magic Eraser if you want cleaner results. Infinix could benefit from refining this feature in future iterations to be more competitive with current industry standards.

Software surprises

Infinix has skinned Android 14 with its own XOS 14.5 on the HOT 50 Pro+, and it’s a bold take, to say the least. The UI and iconography are heavily customized, a design choice that’s sure to polarize users. But performance-wise, XOS 14.5 delivers a smooth, stutter-free experience, even with multiple apps running in the background.

The brand has opted for a customized home-screen experience with a dedicated feed as the leftmost desktop pane and big folders for app organization, by default. The app drawer is a standard alphabetical affair with a search bar and “recent apps” section — unfortunately, there’s no option to ditch the drawer for a flatter, iOS-style layout.

Taking a page from a popular Android skin, Infinix separates the notification shade and control center. Swiping down from the top left reveals notifications, while a top right swipe brings up quick toggles and system controls. Perhaps the most intriguing addition to XOS is the Magic Ring, Infinix’s answer to Apple’s Dynamic Island. While its functionality is currently limited, it does offer contextual information, expanding for charging status or face-unlock prompts.

Multitasking gets a boost with XOS 14.5’s multi-window feature. Though not the most refined implementation we’ve encountered, it allows for a decent level of window management, supporting up to four apps simultaneously — two in mini-window mode and two occupying the top and bottom halves of the screen.

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ comes with its own AI assistant, Folax, and it’s surprisingly capable. Activated with a long press of the power button, Folax goes beyond basic tasks like setting alarms or checking the weather. This AI can summarize web articles in Chrome, tell jokes, and even write full-blown emails. We put Folax to the test, asking it to draft a complaint letter for a broken TV, and the result was impressive. It generated a well-written letter that we’d actually consider sending, even going so far as to suggest attaching a copy of the receipt.

While Folax may not be quite as intelligent as Tony Stark’s Jarvis, it’s a genuinely useful tool that can automate mundane tasks and save you time. And honestly, it’s just fun to play with. We spent a good hour throwing random requests at it, and we were surprised by how much it can actually do.

Final thoughts

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ is a fascinating device. It’s a budget handset that ticks a lot of boxes, delivering a surprisingly premium experience in a sleek and incredibly thin package. The performance is more than adequate for everyday tasks and even some demanding games; the display is vibrant and easy on the eyes; and the software, while a bit quirky, offers some genuinely useful features like Folax.

Sure, it’s not perfect. The camera system is basic, and the AI eraser tool needs some work. But at this price point, compromises are inevitable. What Infinix has managed to achieve with the HOT 50 Pro+ is indeed impressive. It defies expectations, proving that you don’t have to spend serious cash to get a stylish and capable device. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that can handle your daily needs and then some, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ is definitely worth considering.

You can grab the HOT 50 Pro+ and HOT 50 for P8,499 ($146) and P6,999 ($120), respectively, on TikTok, Shopee, or Lazada or at an Infinix kiosk near you.

Infinix HOT 50 Pro+ specs

• 6.78-inch curved LTPS AMOLED display, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch-sampling rate, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, 1,300 nits peak brightness, 2,160Hz PWM dimming
• 6nm MediaTek Helio G100 4G processor
• Mali-G57 GPU
• 8GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 256GB UFS 2.2 expandable storage
• Dual 50-megapixel main, 2-megapixel depth rear cameras
• 13-megapixel front camera
• Under-display fingerprint reader
• 5,000mAh battery with 33-watt fast wired charging
• XOS 14.5 based on Android 14
• Colors: Sleek Black, Dreamy Purple, Titanium Grey

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