Infinix Note Edge

Yes, for buyers who care most about speed, 5G and battery. Our database lists the 8GB/256GB model at Rs. 91,199, and at that price the Infinix Note Edge offers a 5G chip that clearly outpaces the 4G processors most rivals still use in this bracket.

What you get for the money:

• A fast, cool-running Dimensity 7100 chip
• A curved 1.5K AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass 7i
• A 6500 mAh battery and a 45W charger in the box
• Extras such as NFC, an IR blaster, stereo speakers and call recording

What you give up: there is no ultrawide camera, no OIS and no 4K video, and the IP65 rating is only splash-level protection.

Verdict: a strong pick for gamers, heavy users and anyone wanting a 5G phone to keep for a few years. Buyers who mainly want great photos should look at camera-focused alternatives instead.

The Note Edge uses a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED panel with a 1208 x 2644 (1.5K) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Colours look rich, scrolling feels smooth and touch response is good, which makes it a pleasant screen for social media, videos and games.

Infinix quotes up to 4500 nits peak brightness, and our database lists 2160Hz PWM dimming, which can help people sensitive to flicker at low brightness. Independent lab testing found real-world brightness well below the headline figure but still good for this price.

Things to know:

• The front is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i
• A curved screen protector comes in the box, but replacements for curved glass cost more than flat ones
• The optical in-display fingerprint scanner works quickly
• YouTube playback is limited to 1440p
• The always-on display only stays on for about 10 seconds, so it is not a true always-on screen

Performance is the main reason to buy this phone. The MediaTek Dimensity 7100 (6nm) is paired with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and in daily use apps open quickly and the phone feels smooth and snappy.

Gaming: games already unlock high frame-rate options, with more settings likely once titles are optimised for the new chip, and one test reported 60fps gameplay. 3D Ice Loop cooling and the plastic frame help keep the phone cool, and independent testing found it barely throttles under long loads.

Limits to keep in mind:

• It is a capable mid-range chip, not a flagship, so do not expect Snapdragon 8-series speed
• Opinions differ on how far it leads the Helio G200: one source calls it close, another says it doubles rival scores
• There is no memory card slot, so choose your storage carefully
• App opening and closing animations are missing, which makes the software feel less polished despite the speed

The camera is the weakest area of the Infinix Note Edge. The rear has a 50MP main camera with PDAF, but no ultrawide lens; the second lens on the back is only a small helper sensor.

Daylight photos: results are decent, with well-balanced dynamic range and natural colours, although some shots look over-boosted. Fine detail is limited and zoomed shots look pixelated. Portraits at 2x are available.

Selfies: the 13MP front camera is fine in daylight but weaker in low light, where many rivals offer higher-resolution selfie cameras.

Video: recording tops out at 1440p at 30fps, there is no 4K, and there is no OIS, so footage can lack consistency.

Independent testing was kinder, praising its night shots and selfies, so results may depend on lighting and settings. Even so, buyers who mainly want a camera phone have better choices.

Battery is one of the strongest points. A 6500 mAh battery fits into a phone only about 7.2mm thick, which is unusual at this price.

Real-world use: one test reported 8 to 9 hours of screen-on time, and another said light users can stretch it to one and a half to two days, while heavy users should still get a full day. Independent lab testing, however, rated endurance only average for the capacity, so expect solid rather than record-breaking results.

Charging:

• A 45W charger is included in the box
• Our database lists 50% in 27 minutes, and a full charge takes roughly 1 hour 15 to 20 minutes
• Bypass charging helps reduce heat while gaming on the cable
• 10W reverse wired charging can top up earbuds or another phone
• There is no wireless charging

Infinix also claims its battery technology keeps battery health stable for up to six years.

The phone runs XOS 16 on Android 16. Infinix promises 3 major Android updates and 5 years of security patches, which is good for this segment, though Infinix updates have often arrived late in the past.

Useful features:

• Lock screen depth effects, a redesigned control centre and resizable widgets with plenty of customisation
• Built-in call recording in the Infinix dialer
• Ultra Link Bluetooth calling to nearby Infinix, Tecno and itel phones without Wi-Fi or mobile data
• A One-Tap AI button on the side for the Folax assistant, which can also be customised

AI tools: AI Studio with an eraser and flare remover, AI writing, image extending and sharpening, translation and an AI call assistant. The camera AI features feel lighter than some rivals.

Downsides: the look borrows heavily from Apple's latest design, app animations are missing, and independent testing found some preinstalled apps that many users may want to remove.