The Infinix Smart 9, announced in September 2024 and expected to be released in October, is an affordable smartphone designed for users seeking a reliable device with essential features. Positioned as an entry-level phone, the Smart 9 balances functionality and performance while maintaining an attractive price point, making it suitable for everyday use.
Design and Build
The Infinix Smart 9 has a sleek design with a glass front and a plastic back and frame, typical of budget smartphones but still durable and lightweight at 188 grams. The phone’s dimensions of 165.7 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm ensure a comfortable grip, while its IP54 rating provides dust and splash resistance, offering added protection in various environments. With dual SIM support (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), users can switch between two numbers seamlessly.
Display
The Smart 9 sports a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and improved visuals for video content and gaming. The screen’s peak brightness of 500 nits ensures decent visibility in outdoor settings, though its 720 x 1600 resolution at a 262 ppi density falls short of higher-end devices, which may affect sharpness. However, for an entry-level smartphone, the visual experience is more than sufficient for general tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media. An always-on display feature adds convenience for quick notifications.
Running on Android 14 (Go edition) with XOS 14 on top, the Infinix Smart 9 is equipped with the MediaTek Helio G81 chipset. Its octa-core processor (featuring two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores) ensures moderate performance for multitasking, web browsing, and light gaming. Although it won’t handle high-demand applications, its power is suitable for basic usage. The device comes in three configurations: 64GB storage with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and 128GB storage with 4GB RAM, giving users options based on their storage needs. Additionally, a microSDXC slot allows for easy expansion of storage.
Camera
The Infinix Smart 9 features a 13 MP main camera with autofocus, capable of capturing decent shots in well-lit conditions. Additional features like HDR, panorama, and LED flash enhance its versatility. The rear camera can record videos at 1080p@30fps, suitable for casual video shooting. The 8 MP front camera is competent for selfies and video calls, though it’s not designed for professional photography.
Battery and Additional Features
One of the phone’s standout features is its 5000 mAh battery, which can easily last a full day with moderate use. The phone supports 10W wired charging and reverse charging, allowing it to serve as a power bank for other devices. Other useful features include stereo speakers for an improved audio experience, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth, GPS, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support. Unfortunately, it lacks NFC but compensates with an infrared port and FM radio.
Colors and Final Thoughts
The Infinix Smart 9 comes in four attractive colors: Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, and Sandstone Gold, giving users stylish options to choose from. Overall, the Smart 9 is a solid entry-level device offering a balanced mix of essential features, performance, and durability at an affordable price, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users.
