The Infinix Smart 8 was announced on Jan. 13 in India and is already available for purchase via Flipkart. For those seeking a phone around Rs 6,000 (~$72), the company offers the Smart 8 HD, and in the Rs 7,000 (~$84) segment, it provides the Smart 8. These offerings mirror Redmi’s A2 and A2 Plus, which are nearly identical phones with only a few differences. The Smart 8 and Smart 8 HD (hands-on) are powered by different chipsets, feature distinct primary cameras, and come with varying amounts of RAM. Here is a hands-on post on what to expect from the Smart 8.
Infinix Smart 8: Unboxing and First Impression
Undoubtedly, the Infinix Smart 8 stands out as a remarkably designed phone within its price range. The Rainbow Blue color variant, as depicted in the images, appears light blue at a cursory glance. However, when viewed from various angles, it reveals an array of shades, including pink, purple, yellow, and light green. The back panel of the phone features a timber-textured finish, while the front showcases a punch-hole screen with a noticeable bottom bezel. Notably, the overall design of the phone closely resembles that of the Smart 8 HD.
The top edge of the phone has “Designed by Infinix” branding, whereas its opposite end features a 3.5mm audio jack, a microphone, a USB-C port, and a speaker. The left spine has a SIM slot, while the right edge is equipped with a volume rocker and a power key. It weighs 189 grams and has a thickness of 8.5mm.
Display
Starting from the front, the Infinix Smart 8 sports an LCD panel measuring 6.6 inches diagonally. It supports an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen is shielded by a layer of NEG glass. Distinguishing itself from most other phones in the same price segment, the Smart 8 opts for a contemporary punch-hole display design instead of the conventional waterdrop notch screen. In terms of visibility, it is optimal for indoor use; however, under bright sunlight, users might encounter difficulties viewing the display contents even when the brightness is set to the highest level.
Performance
The Smart 8 features the MediaTek Helio G36, also found in devices like the Poco C51, Redmi A2, and Redmi A2 Plus. The device offers 4 GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 4 GB of virtual RAM for efficient multitasking while handling apps. There’s 64 GB of UFS 2.2 storage onboard and a dedicated microSD card slot for additional storage. In comparison, the Smart 8 HD has the Unisoc T606 chip, 3 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage.
The availability of the Magic Ring feature via XOS 13 (based on Android 13 Go) makes the phone capable of showcasing animated notifications around the display punch-hole for face unlock, background calls, charging, charging completion reminder, and low battery reminder. While there are around 40 preloaded apps on the device, it does not have unnecessary or shady apps despite being a low-priced device.
The Smart 8 packs a 5,000mAh battery but does not have a microUSB port like the above-mentioned competing phones. Instead, it offers a USB-C port, providing more convenient charging in line with modern connectivity standards. As far as charging speedi is concerned, it takes around two hours to achieve a full charge.
Camera and Other Features
On the back, the Smart 8 features a 50-megapixel main camera (compared to the 13-megapixel camera on the Smart 8 HD), an AI lens, and a quad-LED ring flash. While expectations may be modest for a Rs 7,000 (~$72) phone in terms of photography, the Smart 8 endeavors to provide a decent photography experience, particularly in well-lit conditions. An 8-megapixel camera with an LED flash that boosts brightness for selfies in low light is located on the front.
For security, the Smart 8 features a side-facing fingerprint scanner and face unlock, both functioning flawlessly. There is a single bottom-firing speaker with DTS Audio processing, providing decent output only when the volume is set at 70 or 80 percent. Higher volume results in a noticeable slight distortion in sound output.
Overall Impression
The Infinix Smart 8 is a good option to consider if you are looking for a phone priced around Rs 7,000 (~$84). It is good to see the brand offering an impressive design, a high refresh rate display, a 50-megapixel camera, a big battery with USB-C charging, and a side-facing fingerprint scanner on such a low-priced device.
Price and Availability
The Smart 8, priced at Rs 7,499 (~$90), costs Rs 1,200 (~$14) more than the entry-level Smart 8 HD. Buyers can benefit from a 10 percent discount using ICICI debit and credit cards, and can get it for Rs 6,749 (~$81). Like other Infinix phones, the Smart 8 can be purchased through Flipkart. Apart from Rainbow Blue, the Smart 8 can be bought in shades, such as Galax White, Timber Black, and Shiny Gold.
Disclaimer: All opinions in this Infinix Smart 8 hands-on post are mine and based on my own experiences. There has been no editorial input from Infinix.
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