It’s generally understood that when you are going to a costume party, you ought to look the part and also dress the part. In this Infinix Note 5 review, Infinix (Going for UGX 769,000 or $200) obviously didn’t get the memo.
Under the auspices of the Android One project, the Infinix Note 5 strips down to its bare minimums, ditching its custom XOS (Now on Hummingbird) skin in favor of a truly minimalist Android experience. But rather than be scandalized, we are actually very fascinated by this new direction Infinix has taken.
Let’s backtrack a little bit here though for your reading pleasure. In case you’re not in the know, Infinix holds the record as the first smartphone maker in Africa to jump on board the Android One project. The Infinix Hot 2, released way back in 2015 ushered in their first Android One device and forever cemented Infinix as a premium brand capable of shipping Google certified devices on the market. So the Note 5 is simply building upon that reputation by releasing a device following Google’s vision of how Android should be.
But I digress. The Infinix Note 5 and the Note 5 Pro with a stylus shouldn’t be confused with the more illustrious Samsung flagship, the Galaxy Note 5. Although, a keen eye might notice where Infinix drew its inspiration. Our Note 5 packs a Full HD 6-inch Infinity Display, a Helio P23 Processor, 3GB RAM to 32 GB ROM or 4GB RAM to 64 GB ROM, if you prefer.
Also look forward to a 12MP rear camera and alongside a 16MP front camera for low-lght selfies. There’s more under the hood and we are about to pop the lid off and see what makes the Infinix Note 5 tick.
What we liked
- Pure Android experience with Android One
- No bloatware
- Sleek, smooth imitation-glass polycarbonate build
- Immersive 6″ Full HD Infinity Display.
- Massive 4500mAh 3-day battery
- Great rear and front cameras
- Guaranteed OTA update for at least 2 years
Related: Infinix Note 5: Unboxing & First Impressions of Infinix Mobility’s latest Android One device
What we didn’t like
- Glossy polycarbonate build scratches easily
- No support for FM radio
- No screen night mode
- Tapping the home button doesn’t take you to the home screen
- Only up to 3-finger multi-touch
- The fingerprint sensor has limited uses
- Doesn’t have double-tap to wake feature
Infinix Note 5 Review: Design & Build
Some time back, Infinix came up with a winning formula in the form of design and has stuck with it. I mean, why change a winning team? As such, the Infinix Note 5 shares the same blueprint as its cousins such as the Hot 6 and Hot 6 Pro.
This comprises ergonomically curved and rounded edges which fit snugly in the palm of the hand. We have no problem at all with this arrangement. After all, there’s only so many ways OEMs can remix the rectangular shape that smartphones come in.
The Infinix Note 5 features a sleek, smooth imitation-glass polycarbonate back surface that Infinix calls Metal Print. The end result is a glossy finish which extends to the fingerprint depression. Topside are necessary bezels housing the 16MP front camera, LED flash, earpiece and other hidden sensors. The Note 5 shaves off excess bezels at the sides to accommodate the 6-inch screen with 18:9 aspect ratio.
At the back, the 12MP rear camera and dual LED flash are encased in a protective rim we appreciate for obvious reasons. The top and left rib-side don’t feature any slots or buttons.
You will find those on the right side which houses the volume and power buttons alongside the SIM/SD card slot. At the bottom of the device are the speakers, Micro-USB and Audiojack slots. We had issues with the audio jack slot being at the bottom, but it’s slowly growing on us.
Infinix Note 5: Camera
The Camera is perhaps the only Infinix app to make it to the roster. The XOS Camera 3.0 packs a bunch of eye-popping features for those brave enough to tweak this and that. If Infinix claims are anything to go by, it’s a smart AI-powered camera that recognises your environment and chooses the best possible setting for that quality shot.
The front camera has the same low-light AI Selfie machine learning Infinix goes on about. You might notice an image suddenly brightening in low-light along with other improvements before your shot.
As for the camera features, we will leave the Professional mode to the professionals but you and I can safely play around with Normal, Burst, Beauty, Video and other Modes. Of the other Modes, we instantly loved Time-lapse which does some voodoo trick you just have to try out to understand.
To break it down for you, Time-lapse fast-forwards a video so that you can capture a lot of scenes in a short space of time. Alongside Time-lapse, you also get Panorama which takes a really wide angle of any scenery (best for landscapes) and night mode which I honestly don’t need when I have LED flashlight to take night pictures.
Here are some shots we managed to take with the Infinix Note 5. See for yourself and be the judge:
Infinix Note 5: Performance
True to form, Infinix leaves no stone unturned when it comes to performance. The Infinix Note 5 packs the impressively faster Helio P23 chipset with an Octa-Core 2.0 GHz 64bit, ARM Cortex-A53 Mali-G71 MP2 Processor. Expect performance tweaks and more oomph than you are used to with Infinix devices.
Here’s a primer: a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080, a video encoder shooting H.264 videos at 2160P, 12MP & 16MP cameras shooting at 4032 x 3024 and 4608 x 3456 pixels respectively; SoC modem with dual standby 4G LTE/VoLTE dual SIM. LTE Cat 7/13 300/150Mbps. If you didn’t get any of that mumbo jumbo, just know that that the Infinix Note 5 is supremely juiced up for a device of its price and build.
Responsiveness is good enough from what we have seen so far. The Note 5 loads fast and the apps are not sluggish in the least. So far so good. Games eat up that Full HD display like cotton candy. The resolution is immersive and the colors are rich and vibrant, just how we like them. Overall, we have nothing much to complain about, performance-wise.
Infinix Note5 Review:Android One &Software
In true Android One fashion, the Infinix Note 5 ships with barely any furniture to speak of. For someone used to passive-aggressively co-existing with bloatware, it feels rather nice to have a say on what to install on my own device.
The few resident apps comprise mainly Google apps like Chrome, Gmail, Play Store, Google Photos, a few more and that’s it. If you don’t care for these apps, there’s an option to disable them but even then, you can’t uninstall them.
At setup, the Note 5 also gives the option to add Google Drive, Duo, Play Music, Play Movies & TV, Calculator and Google Keep. Offers from Infinix include X-Club, Carlcare and Phone Master. These are not core system apps and can be uninstalled at any time along with anything else you download.
From what we saw, Android One’s clutter-free space does wonders for overall device performance. Android’s stock launcher isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed but it gets the job done. Tapping the home button doesn’t take you to the home screen like we are used to but we can live with that. The one app whose exclusion I am sour-graping about is the FM Radio.
Infinix Note 5: Battery & Charging
Infinix took no chances with this one; the 4500 mAh battery is touted to give you a 3-day battery life. That’s a ginormous battery under any standard and from real-world usage, we will have to concur.
However, unlike the advertised 3-day battery life, we will put it closer to 2-days, based on our own rather heavy usage. Being phone addicts ourselves, this would be a more realistic gauge, although a 3-day life would hold true for regular people with moderate habits.
According to their website, Infinix claims that the Note 5 comes with Smart Power Consumption. A baked-in intelligent process manager learns a user’s habits and automatically deactivates lesser-used apps and background processes.
Additionally, a Synchronous Heartbeat feature only allows periodical device wake-up for notifications, increasing overall battery efficiency. I have an old Lenovo K3 Note I have used for about 2 years and I can attest to how I would go to bed with a full charge only to find it half-way done by morning. The Note 5 does nothing of the sort.
As I wrote this post, I tested out how fast I could charge using the standard issue X-Charger and Micro-USB cable. At the conclusion of my test, the battery percentage had risen from 35% to 90% in roughly 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s not a bad performance, keeping in mind that the Infinix Note 5 battery takes really long to drain.
Infinix Note 5 Review: Spec Sheet
Announced: 2018, July Available: 2018, July Model: Infinix X604 Colors: Blush Gold/Bordeaux Red/Sandstone Black/Sapphire Blue SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) OS: Android One™ 8.1.0 Oreo (64-bit) Network: GSM, WCDMA, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA, 4G LTE Dimensions: 158 x 75 x 7.4 mm Weight: g Display: 6.0″ FHD+ 1080 x 2160px 18:9 Infinity Display @480dpi CPU: MediaTek Helio P23 (MT6763) Octa-Core 2.0 GHz, 64bit, ARM Cortex-A53 Mali-G71 MP2 700MHz Processor Memory: 32/64GB ROM, 3/4GB RAM, dedicated microSD slot, upgradeable to 128 GB Camera: 12MP (4032 x 3024) AF Dual LED rear flash, 16MP (4608 x 3456) FF Front Camera with Dual LED Flash Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, OTG, WiFi Direct. Sensors: Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Orientation, Ambient Light, Proximity, Compass, Fingerprint Battery: Non-Removable Li-ion 4500 mAh battery
Infinix Note 5 Review: Final Verdict
By and large, the Infinix Note 5 is a formidable device as any Infinix Mobility has ever built. It has a few things going for it, including the powerful Helio P23 processor, decent 12MP & 16MP cameras, a 6-inch Full HD screen and decent memory (3/4GB RAM to 32/64GB ROM). The battery can last you 3 days of moderate usage which is a boon any Android user would appreciate.
On the downside, the glossy metal print back is too slippery to safely use the Note 5 without a jacket and screen protector. Additionally, we also found that not having an FM radio was too much of a sacrifice. Consequently, it’s one of those things you only miss once you don’t have, even when you rarely use them . [FM Radio added in later OTA update] If that’s nothing to you, by all means, get yourself a piece and enjoy a pure Android experience.
Sydney Mugerwa is a seasoned consumer tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets and smart devices. From smartphones and wearables to smart home products and cameras, Sydney breaks down the complexities of consumer tech, making it easy to understand through detailed reviews and how-to guides. His mission is to simplify tech jargon and help readers make informed decisions in the ever-evolving world of technology.
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Talkio Mobile , Uganda’s newest telecommunications service provider, is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Banana Life Investments, a leading chain of mobile phone and retail shops. This strategic alliance aims to bring Talkio’s innovative telecom services closer to Ugandans.
This collaboration will leverage Banana Life Investments’ extensive retail network of 26 stores strategically located across Uganda in major malls, towns, and cities to provide customers with unparalleled convenience. Through this partnership, Talkio Mobile will offer its full suite of services, including SIM cards, airtime, and exclusive product offerings at any Banana Life Investment location.
This partnership is more than a business initiative—it’s a shared commitment to transforming lives. By integrating Talkio Mobile’s forward-thinking services & nationwide reach with Banana Life Investments’ retail footprint, the two brands are setting a new standard for customer convenience and inclusivity.
READ ALSO: 5 Things You Need to Know About Talkio Mobile: New Telecom Company in Uganda
“This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission of connecting Ugandans to innovative and transformative telecom solutions,” said Vianne Allan Ahura, CEO of Talkio Mobile. “By leveraging Banana Life Investments’ trusted presence and nationwide footprint, we are not only expanding our agent network but also bringing our services closer to the communities we serve. This collaboration ensures that our online customers can now enjoy a seamless offline experience right at their doorstep. Together, we are empowering Ugandans with the tools they need to stay connected, grow their businesses, and unlock new opportunities.”
Solomon Ssemuyaba, the assistant general manager at Banana Life Investments, echoed this sentiment: “We are proud to join hands with Talkio Mobile to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions. This partnership represents our shared vision of fostering a connected future for Uganda. Together, we are redefining what convenience and accessibility mean for our customers.”
The partnership goes beyond retail distribution, introducing joint initiatives aimed at value addition and personalized service. Customers can expect seamless access to:
- SIM Card Sales : Available at all Banana Life Investments locations.
- Talkio phone number bookings : Book your preferred Talkio number at any Banana Life Investments location.
- Airtime Services : Recharge easily through in-store purchases.
- Customer Support : Friendly and knowledgeable staff trained to assist with Talkio Mobile products and services.
Additionally, the two companies plan to launch promotional campaigns and expand services to even more locations, ensuring no Ugandan is left behind in the digital transformation.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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The Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona , the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, has just concluded. This annual event gathers leading technology brands to unveil groundbreaking mobile, AI, and digital solutions innovations. At MWC 2025, TECNO showcased a range of AI-driven products, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge technology.
The key launches included:
- CAMON 40 Series – AI-powered smartphones with One-Tap FlashSnap and advanced mobile imaging features.
- MEGABOOK S14 – The world’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring AI-enhanced multitasking and Snapdragon® X Elite.
- MEGABOOK T14 Air & K15S – Lightweight ultrabooks with AI capabilities and extended battery life.
- TECNO AI Glasses Series – Smart eyewear integrating AI imaging, translation, and AR display.
Jan Stryjak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, shared, “In the past year, we have observed significant advancements in the field of AI. AI will continue to drive transformative changes in our daily lives. In this critical period for the economic development of emerging markets, TECNO’s AI technologies are unlocking potential for diverse needs.”
“The application of AI technologies is crucial and urgent in emerging markets. We’re committed to bridging the digital gap between emerging and mature markets,” said TECNO CMO, Laury Bai. “TECNO is taking a practical approach to make AI more accessible, ensuring users in emerging markets can access AI and cutting-edge technologies.”
Laury Bai, TECNO CMO
Driven by its commitment, TECNO has forged a robust partnership with MediaTek, establishing a joint AI laboratory dedicated to accelerating advancements in AI. At the event, James Chen, Vice President of Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek, emphasized, “The synergistic R&D efforts between TECNO and MediaTek are set to democratize AI technology. Our collaboration powers a seamless, interconnected AI experience, bringing users a future of truly connected intelligence.”
James Chen, Vice President, Product and Technology Marketing at MediaTek
CAMON 40 Series Powered by AI One-Tap FlashSnap Revolutionizes Smartphone Snapshot Photography
TECNO’s Global Product Launch Officer, Olivier Mas, officially unveiled TECNO’s next-generation AI-driven products. Attendees at TECNO’s launch event witnessed the highly anticipated debut of TECNO’s new CAMON 40 Series, a device that embodies TECNO’s legacy of excellence in mobile imaging. Featuring One-Tap FlashSnap Mode and TECNO AI, the series sets a new benchmark in smartphone photography, delivering exceptional snapshot capabilities and AI-enhanced user experiences.
Olivier Mas, TECNO Global Product Launch Officer
The CAMON 40 Series exemplifies a commitment to innovation that transcends hardware and software, extending into strategic partnerships that deliver cutting-edge AI solutions to emerging markets. Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud, remarked, “Our collaboration with TECNO on the CAMON 40 Series is a standout example. Leveraging Google Cloud’s capabilities, we’ve introduced groundbreaking features such as Ask Ella, AI Image Generator, AI Writing, and AI Translate. I am particularly impressed by the industry-leading and competitive edge of some of these innovations. For instance, TECNO’s AI supports text translation in 136 languages, voice translation in 44 languages, and photo translation in 51 languages. We are excited to further strengthen our partnership with TECNO, unlocking limitless potential to bring advanced yet practical AI capabilities to emerging markets in a convenient and secure manner.”
Matt Waldbusser, Managing Director of Global Solutions and Consumer AI at Google Cloud
The CAMON 40 Series’ innovative One-Tap FlashSnap leverages AI to enhance imaging capabilities, revolutionizing mobile photography. AI optimizes camera startup and continuous shooting for instant captures, while AI-powered multi-frame processing intelligently reduces noise and enhances details, delivering sharper, more refined images. Additionally, the BestMoment algorithm analyzes motion patterns, automatically selecting the optimal frames for precise, high-quality shots in dynamic scenarios, ensuring users an unparalleled mobile imaging experience.
TECNO CAMON 40 Demonstrates the Cutting-Edge FlashSnap Capability
To delve deeper into the imaging prowess of the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO invited Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK, to share the image performance of CAMON 40 Pro. Frédéric highlighted, “The CAMON 40 Pro 5G has demonstrated exceptional imaging and performance capabilities in our rigorous evaluations. We’ve been particularly impressed with photo performance being the best for devices under 600$, and the 1st eligible device to our Smart Choice Label.”
Onsite photo of Frédéric Guichard, CEO of DXOMARK
Beyond its advanced rapid-capture functionality, the integration of TECNO AI further enhances the device’s capabilities. Intelligent imaging, a 360° AI Call Assistant, and productivity tools elevate creativity and efficiency. Powered by MediaTek’s latest chipsets, the series ensures smooth performance, fast processing, and extended battery life. With a sleek, durable, and water-resistant design, it seamlessly blends style with practicality for modern users.
MEGABOOK S14, the World’s Lightest 14-inch OLED Laptop, Inspires Creators and Game Lovers
The MEGABOOK S14 is TECNO’s first OLED laptop and the industry’s lightest 14-inch OLED laptop, featuring a 2.8K OLED display and incredibly weighing only 899g (31.7oz). The laptop is equipped with the outstanding power of the Snapdragon® X Elite compute platform, the flagship chipset for AI PCs from Qualcomm Technologies, and integrates TECNO’s world’s first self-developed edge-side large-scale AI model, to achieve AI-enhanced multitasking.
World’s Lightest 14-inch Laptop MEGABOOK S14
Specifically designed for next-gen AI productivity, TECNO AI enhances the Ella AI Assistant, AI-powered PPT generation, AI-driven image search, smart albums, and offline meeting transcription with multilingual support. The External Graphics Dock, equipped with a powerful NVIDIA graphic card, delivers scalable, high-performance capabilities for design, gaming, and content creation. The laptop’s 2.8K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate ensures exceptional visuals, while DTS:X Ultra dual 2W speakers, Wi-Fi 6E, fingerprint login, and PC Manager optimize connectivity and user experience.
TECNO’s strategic partnership with Qualcomm Technologies was a highlight of the TECNO AI Ecosystem Product Launch event, demonstrating a shared vision for the future of AI PCs. Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm, took the stage to discuss the integration of Qualcomm’s cutting-edge PC chipset into the new MEGABOOK S14 laptop, underscoring TECNO’s commitment to delivering high-performance computing solutions.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm
In addition, TECNO also introduced several standout new products. The featherlight 999g (35.2oz) ultrabook MEGABOOK T14 Air, features high-speed storage and LPDDR5 memory, while the ultra-thin, all-metal MEGABOOK K15S, equipped with a powerful 70Wh battery and supported by a 65W PD GaN charger, offers a smarter and more long-lasting user experience. Both devices are empowered by TECNO AI with advanced AI capabilities such as AI Album and AI Voice Assistant, making them perfect companions for all aspects of life.
The Next Game-Changing Tech Innovation: See the World with the TECNO AI Glasses Series
TECNO’s new AI Glasses Series also took center stage with the introduction of TECNO AI Glasses Pro and TECNO AI Glasses, reimagining eyewear with cutting-edge imaging, intelligent interactions, and a sleek aesthetic. The TECNO AI Glasses feature an aviator design, while the Pro model showcases a browline style, both embodying timeless elegance and modern fashion.
TECNO AI Glasses Redefine the Way People See the Future
Equipped with a 50MP high-definition camera, the series integrates an OV50D sensor, a 100° ultra-wide-angle custom lens, and an AI ISP imaging chip, forming a mobile-grade imaging system. This system lets users capture stunning, high-resolution photos with advanced AI noise reduction and HDR capabilities. With real-time translation supporting over 100 languages, TECNO AI’s Ella empowers accurate translation even for less common languages, as well as voice control, AI-powered object recognition, and intelligent information summaries for ultimate convenience.
Additionally, the AI Glasses Pro features a MicroLED display with 7th-gen resin waveguide technology, offering a 30° field of view, over 1,500 nits of brightness AR display, and a lightweight, ultra-thin design. The AR display allows users to effortlessly enjoy features like translation display, navigation, information prompts, and teleprompting.
Equipped with a 250mAh battery, these glasses offer over 11 hours of music playback and 8 hours of mixed use with just 30 minutes of charging. An advanced ultra-linear speaker, bass enhancement, and spatial sound deliver an immersive audio experience, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 ensure seamless connectivity.
With these innovative launches, TECNO is setting new standards in mobile imaging and AI-enhanced technology, shaping a more connected and empowered future for consumers in emerging markets. Once again, TECNO has showcased its cutting-edge innovation on the global stage at MWC. With the brand essence of “Stop at Nothing”, TECNO’s relentless pursuit of innovation is making AI-powered technology more accessible, allowing consumers to experience the future ahead of time.
Solomon Obwot is a tech writer based in Kampala, Uganda, with extensive experience in the local tech startup ecosystem. He covers the latest news and analysis on consumer tech, writes in-depth smartphone reviews, and conducts insightful interviews with industry experts. Solomon is also a passionate podcaster, sharing his knowledge and engaging in discussions about Africa’s rapidly growing tech landscape. Send emails to [email protected]
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