Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus Review: Big Screen, Slim Build, and Great Value!

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus has been making waves as one of the most affordable, feature-packed smartphones around. Right out of the gate, this device grabs attention with its ultra-slim design, smooth AMOLED display, and performance tweaks designed for gaming. All this sounds pretty impressive for a phone that costs around $170, especially when similar features would easily push other brands into the mid-range category. But as with any device, there are some trade-offs. So, in this review, we’ll dive deep into everything the HOT 50 Pro Plus has to offer.

Design and Build Quality

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus is its stunning, ultra-slim build. At only 6.8mm thick, it’s impressively thin—so much so that it feels almost weightless in your hand, weighing just 162 grams. This slim profile isn’t just for looks; it makes the phone super comfortable to hold, slide into a pocket, or use with one hand, which can be a rare luxury at this price point.

Infinix has leaned into a sleek, modern design that sets the HOT 50 Pro Plus apart from other budget models. The curved back with 3D-Curved Slim Edge Design feels premium, and the color choices, like Titanium Grey and Dreamy Purple, add a touch of elegance. There’s also a Sleek Black option for those who prefer something more understated. Despite the mostly plastic build, the phone feels sturdy and doesn’t have that hollow feeling some budget phones can have.

On the back, the camera module features a distinctive square layout, which looks sleek and modern, standing out in a market where most budget phones stick to basic designs. The main 50MP sensor sits at the top of the module, with additional depth sensors giving it that triple-lens look. While only the main camera is fully functional, the design makes the phone appear more sophisticated.

The front of the phone is dominated by a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with curved edges, lending it an expensive look and feel. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, it’s resistant to minor scratches and drops, a huge plus for durability. The phone also boasts an IP54 rating, making it resistant to dust and splash, so everyday exposure to water or dust won’t be a worry.

While holding the Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus, it’s easy to see that the brand put effort into both looks and usability. It’s slim and also easy to grip, thanks to its narrow profile and lightweight build. And despite its thin frame, the phone doesn’t feel fragile. The Gorilla Glass 5 layer on the front and a strong back panel mean it can handle everyday knocks and bumps. However, the plastic back might pick up smudges and scratches over time, so using the included case is a good idea for added protection.

For layout of buttons and ports is straightforward and well thought-out, On the right side you’ll find the power button and volume rocker, positioned for easy reach, even with one hand. The Left Side is clean and uncluttered, which helps maintain the phone’s sleek aesthetic. For Bottom Edge houses a USB Type-C port for charging, a speaker grille, and the SIM tray, which supports dual SIM cards and a dedicated microSD card. The top Edge features a second speaker and a microphone.

Display Quality

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus takes things up a notch in the budget smartphone category with its 6.78-inch AMOLED display. This screen isn’t just about size—it’s built to impress, featuring FHD+ resolution (2436 x 1080) and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. For context, many budget phones still use IPS LCD screens with lower refresh rates, so Infinix delivering an AMOLED panel at this price is a real standout.

The display also features curved edges, which add a stylish look and make the screen feel more immersive. The curved edges create a seamless, almost bezel-less look that’s usually reserved for pricier models, giving the HOT 50 Pro Plus a design edge over other budget competitors. Infinix has also equipped the screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 5, offering reliable protection against minor drops and scratches.

Outdoor usability can be a challenge on budget devices, but the HOT 50 Pro Plus handles it well, thanks to its impressive 1,300 nits peak brightness. This means that even under direct sunlight, the screen remains readable and clear. One unique feature is how well the screen handles wet or greasy fingers. Infinix has optimized the display’s touch responsiveness so that even if your hands are a bit wet or oily (think after a quick snack), the screen remains responsive. This might sound small, but it’s super handy for users who are always on the go or find themselves using the phone while multitasking.

Audio Quality

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus doesn’t just focus on visuals—it brings some serious audio power as well. For a budget smartphone, Infinix has stepped up the game by incorporating dual JBL-tuned stereo speakers. JBL tuning produces cleaner audio than what you’d usually get on budget phones. The speakers provide a satisfying mix of highs and mids, making dialogue and vocals stand out while avoiding distortion at higher volumes. While the bass won’t shake the room, it’s noticeable enough to add depth, particularly for music and action scenes.

However, there’s a slight imbalance between the top and bottom speakers, with the bottom speaker sounding a bit louder. This may go unnoticed in most situations, but if you’re a stickler for balanced audio, it’s worth mentioning. Still, for most users, the overall sound quality and volume will be a pleasant surprise.

Performance and Gaming Experience

Under the hood, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus packs some serious power for its price, making it a strong contender for those looking for a capable, budget-friendly gaming device. Powered by MediaTek’s Helio G100 processor and equipped with 8GB of RAM (expandable virtually to 16GB) and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, this phone is ready to handle both daily tasks and moderate gaming demands.

In day-to-day use, the HOT 50 Pro Plus handles multitasking with ease. Apps open quickly, and switching between multiple applications is smooth and lag-free. From social media to web browsing, this phone keeps up without breaking a sweat. Even with more demanding apps like photo editing or streaming, the Helio G100 chipset holds its ground.

For those interested in raw performance metrics, the HOT 50 Pro Plus scores decently on benchmarks, holding its ground against competitors in the same price range. For instance, in Antutu, the Helio G100 chipset reaches around 430,000 points, making it comparable to higher-end budget and mid-range devices. This score reflects the phone’s ability to handle everyday tasks smoothly and run most games at reasonable settings without significant compromises.

Gaming Capabilities

Where the HOT 50 Pro Plus really shines is in its gaming performance. The Helio G100 processor is optimized for gaming, providing enough power to run most popular titles smoothly at moderate settings. For casual to mid-level gamers, this phone handles games like Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, and League of Legends: Wild Rift without noticeable lag or frame drops. The Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles graphics well, ensuring smooth gameplay without too many sacrifices in visual quality.

For more graphically intense games like Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail, the phone can still perform reasonably well, though it’s best suited to low to medium graphics settings. At higher settings, you might notice occasional frame drops, and the device heats up more noticeably.

However, Infinix has equipped the HOT 50 Pro Plus with Tera Cooling technology, which, according to Infinix, can reduce temperatures by up to 27 degrees Celsius. This feature is particularly useful for gamers as it prevents excessive heating during extended sessions. While the phone does get warm with prolonged use, especially with high-demand games, it doesn’t reach uncomfortable levels, and cooling is consistent, allowing for longer play sessions without major throttling or slowdowns.

Camera Performance

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus doesn’t aim to compete with flagship camera phones, but it packs a decent setup that’s capable of capturing solid shots. With a 50MP main camera paired with a 2MP depth sensor on the back and a 13MP front camera for selfies, you will get some nice tools to work with, especially at this budget-friendly price point.

Main Camera Quality

The 50MP primary sensor is where this phone’s camera setup shines the most. In well-lit conditions, the camera captures detailed images with good color vibrancy. Daylight shots are particularly impressive, with bright colors, clear details, and decent dynamic range for this category. The camera’s AI system also helps boost colors and balance exposure automatically, so you get visually pleasing results without needing to fiddle with manual settings.

However, in lower-light environments, the camera does struggle a bit. Details become softer, and noise creeps in, which is common for phones in this price range. Fortunately, Infinix has included a Night Mode that helps to control light and enhance details for nighttime shots. It’s not flawless, but it does an impressive job of bringing out colors and reducing noise when there’s limited light. The mode takes a second longer to capture the shot, so keeping the phone steady is essential for the best results.

Portrait Mode and Depth Sensor

The addition of a 2MP depth sensor enables Portrait Mode, allowing the camera to create a shallow depth-of-field effect (background blur). Portrait shots have a nice blur effect, and the edges of subjects are generally well-defined, though they can occasionally look a bit soft if the background is busy. For casual photos and selfies, though, this feature works well enough to make your subject pop and give photos a more professional feel.

Front Camera Performance

The 13MP front camera does a decent job for selfies, providing enough detail and color balance for social media uploads. In good lighting, selfies look sharp with accurate skin tones and natural colors. In lower light, though, the front camera’s performance dips a bit, with images appearing softer and less detailed. There’s also a beauty mode that can be toggled on or off, allowing users to smooth skin textures and enhance facial features for a polished look.

Video Recording

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus records video at up to 2K resolution at 30fps with both the front and rear cameras. While the lack of 4K might be a downside for some, 2K still provides decent clarity for everyday video recording. However, stabilization is only available at 1080p, which means videos taken at higher resolutions can appear a bit shaky if there’s a lot of movement. For the best results, sticking to 1080p with stabilization on is ideal for smoother, more stable footage.

In terms of audio quality, recorded sound is clear and loud enough for typical vlogging or casual videos, but it’s best suited to quieter environments where background noise isn’t an issue.

AI Camera Features

Infinix has included several AI-enhanced camera features to improve the photography experience:

• AI Eraser: This tool is surprisingly handy for removing unwanted objects from photos like a passerby or a random object, the eraser tool allows you to clean up your shots.
• AI Cutout: A helpful feature for content creators, especially for those who frequently edit photos. The AI Cutout tool allows you to remove the background from your subject, which is perfect for creating thumbnails or adding creative effects.
• AI Wallpaper Generator: This feature lets you convert their photos into AI-generated wallpapers.

Software and User Interface

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus runs on XOS 14.5, a custom skin based on Android 14. Infinix has designed XOS to be user-friendly and packed with features, though it does come with some pre-installed apps that might not appeal to everyone. Here’s a closer look at the software experience and how it enhances (or occasionally complicates) daily use.

XOS 14.5 provides a clean, modern look that feels intuitive and easy to navigate. It’s Android at heart but with a few extra touches from Infinix, like customizable themes, wallpapers, and icon styles. The default look is vibrant and a bit playful, with colorful icons and bright themes. For those who like a more personalized experience, the interface offers several customization options to tweak the layout, colors, and even font styles.

One downside of XOS is the amount of pre-installed apps, or “bloatware,” that comes with the phone. From games to utility apps, there’s a noticeable number of third-party apps that might feel excessive, especially for those who prefer a cleaner Android experience. The good news is that most of these apps can be uninstalled, but doing so might take a bit of time if you prefer a minimalist setup. However, useful apps like Facebook Messenger and Instagram come pre-installed, which could be a plus for those who already use these services.

Battery Life and Charging

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus packs a solid 5,000mAh battery, which is more than enough to power you through a full day of typical usage with moderate to heavy usage, including social media browsing, streaming, and light gaming. For more intensive usage the battery life is still impressive, according to test results, it can last over 8 hours of screen-on time and around 13-14 hours on PCMark’s Work 3.0 Battery Test.

Infinix includes a 33W fast charger in the box, allowing the HOT 50 Pro Plus to charge quickly when it needs a power boost. Charging times are quite competitive. You need only 30 minutes of charging takes the battery to about 42%, and for full charge from 0% to 100% takes roughly 1 hour and 17 minutes, so you won’t be stuck waiting too long for a complete recharge.

Additionally, the HOT 50 Pro Plus supports 10W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank if you need to charge another device on the go. This can be particularly useful for powering up accessories like earbuds or even helping out a friend in a pinch.

Connectivity

The Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus supports a wide range of connectivity options. The phone supports NFC, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0. Also, dual-SIM functionality includes a dedicated microSD slot for storage expansion up to 2TB.

While it doesn’t support 5G, the 4G connectivity is reliable and fast enough for most tasks, like streaming and gaming. During testing, the call quality on the HOT 50 Pro Plus was clear and reliable. Both Wi-Fi and mobile data connectivity are stable, with no major issues in areas with good network coverage. Calls are crisp, and the dual microphones help with noise reduction.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Infinix HOT 50 Pro Plus offers an exceptional combination of style, functionality, and affordability. If you’re on a budget but want a smartphone that doesn’t feel or look like a budget device, this phone is a top contender. With its high-quality AMOLED display, ample battery, and strong audio performance, it checks all the boxes for a solid everyday smartphone and proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a premium experience. While it has a few limitations, particularly the absence of 5G and some bloatware, these are minor compromises considering the price and overall feature set.