Infinix has announced a new smartphone in the Indian market, dubbed as the Infinix Note 5. It's the company's first Android One smartphone and also the cheapest Android One device in the sub-continent. The Infinix Note 5 succeeds the last year's Infinix Note 4, which was exclusive to Flipkart. For the unaware, Infinix is a Transsion holdings brand, and the Note 5 is the company's third smartphone in as many as 45 days. Earlier, the company launched the entry-level Hot 6 Pro smartphone and later on, it launched the entry-level Infinix Smart 2 handset at an aggressive price of Rs 5,999. And now, it has set its eye on all the stock Android lovers out there as the Infinix Note 5 comes with stock Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box with a promise of regular software updates.
Infinix Note 5 Specifications and Features
The Infinix Note 5 sports decent specifications for the asking price because it's an online-only smartphone. The Note 5 has a 5.99-inch Full HD+ display on the front with 18:9 aspect ratio. Infinix is calling this display as a Full View screen. Internally, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Helio P23 chipset, which we have earlier seen on devices such as the Oppo F5 and Tecno Camon iClick. Thanks to Helio P23, the Note 5 offers Dual 4G connectivity, which has become a must in smartphones releasing this year.
Another highlight of the Infinix Note 5 is the massive 4500mAh battery inside. Thankfully, Infinix also added fast charging support to the device and the retail box also ships with an 18W fast charger. As mentioned above, the phone boots stock version of Android 8.1 Oreo because it's part of the Android One program. Infinix is promising regular software updates for the handset.
Optics on the Note 5 include a 12MP rear shooter with a large 1.25um pixel, PDAF and a quad-LED flash. The device has a single camera on the back, but it offers software-based Portrait mode. On the front, Infinix has added a 16MP selfie shooter which also has an LED flash support. As for the connectivity options, the Note 5 has Dual 4G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth, GPS and a Micro USB port.
Infinix Note 5 Pricing and Availability
Infinix has launched the device in two variants and as a Flipkart exclusive model. The base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage is priced at Rs 9,999, whereas the 4GB of RAM and 64GB model will retail for Rs 11,999. The first sale of the device will kickstart on August 31 at 12 PM.
Android One is Picking Up the Pace
Google's Android One program has been with us for more than four years now, but the program initially struggled, thanks to Google' strategy of partnering with brands such as Micromax, Karbonn and others. Last year, Xiaomi relaunched the Android One program with its Mi A1 handset, and it was an instant hit. Later on, HMD Global announced Android One's largest partnership by stating all its devices will be part of Android One program.
While Infinix launching an Android One device is surely a surprise, it gives us a hint of where Android One program is heading.
Infinix Note 5 Competitors
The Infinix Note 5 is the cheapest Android One smartphone in the country with the second cheapest one being the Nokia 3.1 launched at Rs 10,499 in the country. The newly launched handset will get a tough competition from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 which the company managed to sell in millions since the launch. The Note 5 offers a bigger battery, stock Android and slightly powerful processor than the Redmi Note 5.
