The Indian smartphone market under ₹15,000 is a battlefield. With so many options on Amazon and Flipkart, choosing the right phone can feel overwhelming. Some phones offer big batteries but compromise with LCD displays. Others have decent software but lack in camera quality or skip the charger in the box. As consumers, we want a phone that’s a complete package—an all-rounder. Enter the Infinix Note 50s 5G+, a phone that claims to deliver everything: a 144Hz curved AMOLED display, a 5500mAh battery, 8GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a price tag of around ₹14,999 with offers. But does it live up to the hype? Is it the underrated gem it’s made out to be? Let’s dive into this detailed review to find out if the Infinix Note 50s 5G+ is worth your money.
Design and Build: Premium Looks on a Budget
The first thing you notice about the Infinix Note 50s 5G+ is its design. It’s not your typical budget phone that screams “cheap.” Infinix has gone the extra mile to make this phone feel premium. The vegan leather variant, with its unique pattern, is a standout. It’s grippy, comfortable to hold, and doesn’t attract fingerprints like glass backs do. If vegan leather isn’t your thing, Infinix offers metallic back options in Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, giving you choices to match your style.
At just 180 grams and 7.6mm thick, the phone feels surprisingly light and well-balanced. This is a big deal in a segment where phones often feel bulky due to large batteries. The curved edges on the back and frame make it easy to hold for long periods, whether you’re scrolling through Instagram or watching YouTube.
One unique feature is the Active Halo Light around the camera module. It glows during gaming, charging, or incoming calls, adding a touch of flair that’s rare in this price range. It’s not just a gimmick—it’s functional, especially if you keep your phone face-down and want to see notifications.
The phone also boasts military-grade MIL-STD-810 certification, meaning it’s been tested for extreme conditions like heat, cold, vibrations, and shocks. It’s also IP64-rated for dust and water resistance, which is a welcome addition for a budget phone. Of course, don’t expect it to survive a swim, and accidental falls aren’t covered under warranty (use a case and tempered glass, folks!). Still, Infinix’s attention to build quality makes the Note 50s feel like a phone that costs much more than ₹15,000.
Display: A 144Hz AMOLED That Steals the Show
The display is where the Infinix Note 50s 5G+ truly shines. In the sub-₹15,000 segment, you usually have to choose between an LCD with a high refresh rate (like the Vivo T4X’s 120Hz) or an AMOLED with a lower 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate. Infinix breaks this rule by offering a 6.78-inch Full HD+ 3D curved AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. This is unheard of at this price.
The AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it perfect for watching Netflix or YouTube. It supports HDR on YouTube, which enhances the viewing experience for supported content. With a peak brightness of 1300 nits, the display is bright enough for outdoor use, even in harsh Indian summers. Whether you’re checking WhatsApp under direct sunlight or gaming in a brightly lit room, the screen remains clear and readable.
The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations buttery smooth. However, not everything runs at 144Hz system-wide. In apps like Settings and Messages, you’ll get the full 144Hz, but most other apps cap at 120Hz, which is still smoother than what most competitors offer. Compared to rivals like the CMF Phone 1 or Realme P3, the Note 50s’ display looks sharper and more colorful in real life. The slim bezels and 89.8% screen-to-body ratio add to the immersive experience.
The only minor downside is the curved display’s glossy finish, which can cause reflections in bright environments. Also, while the stereo speakers with JBL branding are decent for music and videos, they’re not the loudest, peaking at around 78 decibels—slightly below the segment average. For media consumption, you might want to use earphones for a richer audio experience. Overall, the display is a major win for the Note 50s and sets a new standard for budget phones.
Camera: Surprisingly Good for the Price
Cameras in budget smartphones are often a mixed bag, but the Infinix Note 50s 5G+ punches above its weight. It features a dual-camera setup on the back: a 64MP Sony IMX682 primary sensor and a 2MP macro lens. There’s also a 13MP front camera for selfies. Let’s break down how it performs compared to competitors like the Realme P3 and CMF Phone 1.
Daylight Photography
In good lighting, the 64MP main sensor delivers sharp images with natural colors and a respectable dynamic range. When compared to the Realme P3 and CMF Phone 1, the Note 50s holds its own. The Realme P3 tends to keep colors neutral, while the Note 50s adds a slight vibrancy that makes photos pop without looking unnatural. The CMF Phone 1, on the other hand, produces dull and bland images that lack punch. For example, in a side-by-side shot of a colorful scene, the Note 50s and Realme P3 captured vibrant details, while the CMF Phone 1 looked washed out.
HDR and Zoom
The Note 50s handles HDR well, especially in challenging scenarios like shooting against harsh sunlight. It maintains balanced exposure and preserves details in both shadows and highlights. In contrast, the Realme P3 over-darkens shadows, and the CMF Phone 1 dulls the entire image. At 2x zoom, the Note 50s produces sharp and consistent images, while the CMF Phone 1’s shots resemble oil paintings, and the Realme P3 boosts blacks unnaturally.
Low-Light Performance
Low-light photography is where budget phones usually struggle, and the Note 50s is no exception. Images can look washed out, and lens flares are noticeable around bright light sources. However, the level of detail and sharpness is still passable for the price. The Night Mode helps salvage some scenes, but it’s not a game-changer. Compared to the Realme P3 and Vivo T4X, the Note 50s performs similarly in dim conditions, but it’s not a standout.
Selfies and Video
The 13MP front camera captures selfies with natural skin tones and decent detail in good lighting. In low light, it struggles a bit, producing softer images. Compared to the Realme P3, the Note 50s delivers comparable selfie quality, but the CMF Phone 1 adds an unwanted yellowish tint. For videos, the Note 50s supports 4K 30fps recording on both front and rear cameras, which is impressive for the price. The videos are stable with good color reproduction, outshining many rivals in this segment.
Overall, the Note 50s’ camera is a pleasant surprise. It’s not perfect, but it’s consistent and versatile, making it one of the better camera systems under ₹15,000. The AI features like AI Eraser (to remove unwanted objects) and AI Cutout (for creating stickers) add fun and utility to the photography experience.
Performance: Smooth for Everyday Tasks
The Infinix Note 50s 5G+ is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate processor, paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. This is a capable chipset that’s also found in phones priced above ₹15,000, like the CMF Phone 1 and Lava Agni 3. For daily tasks like browsing, social media, and multitasking, the Note 50s performs smoothly without lag.
Gaming performance is decent for a budget phone. In COD Mobile, the Note 50s can hit 90fps with smooth gameplay and no major heating issues, even during extended sessions. The XBoost game mode optimizes performance, making it a good choice for casual gamers. However, this price segment isn’t primarily for hardcore gaming, and the Note 50s is designed more for real-life tasks like video editing, social media, and productivity.
One area where the Note 50s excels is video rendering. In tests, it exported videos faster than the Realme P3, thanks to the faster LPDDR5X RAM. This makes it a great choice for content creators on a budget who edit reels or stories on their phone. The only downside is occasional heat buildup during outdoor use, which can cause minor lag. There’s also no expandable storage, so you’ll need to choose the 256GB variant if you store a lot of media.
Software: Feature-Rich and Underrated
The Infinix Note 50s 5G+ runs XOS 15 based on Android 15, making it one of the first phones in its segment to ship with the latest Android version. XOS has come a long way from being bloated and sluggish. The UI is now minimal, with smooth animations and a clean settings page. Infinix has reduced bloatware, and the pre-installed third-party apps can be uninstalled easily.
What makes XOS stand out is its feature set. Here are some highlights:
- Gestures: Swipe left or right to change music tracks, or lift the phone to answer calls automatically.
- PC Integration: With Infinix’s PC client, you can transfer files to your Windows laptop by double-tapping with three fingers or using Ctrl+V. This is super handy for students or professionals.
- Folax AI Assistant: The AI can summarize PDFs, answer complex queries (e.g., comparing Agile vs. Waterfall models), and generate wallpapers. It’s surprisingly useful for academic or work-related tasks.
- AI Call Summary: After a call, the phone generates a summary of the conversation, which is great for office work.
- AI Gallery Features: The AI Eraser removes unwanted objects from photos, and the AI Cutout creates stickers. You can even get buying links for gadgets spotted in photos.
Compared to competitors like Realme UI or ColorOS, XOS feels more feature-rich and tailored for Indian users. The only catch is that some users might find it slightly busy compared to stock Android. Still, the software is a big reason why the Note 50s feels underrated—it offers premium features at a budget price.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Power
The Note 50s comes with a massive 5500mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. Whether you’re scrolling through reels, gaming, or clicking photos, the phone won’t let you down. With light usage, you can stretch it to nearly two days. The Reserve Charge feature is a nice touch—it claims to provide up to 27 minutes of WhatsApp usage with just 1% battery left.
Charging is handled by a 45W fast charger (included in the box, unlike the CMF Phone 1). It takes about 60 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%, which is on par with rivals like the Realme P3 and Vivo T4X. The bypass charging mode is a thoughtful addition for gamers, as it reduces heat by bypassing the battery during charging.
Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78-inch FHD+ 3D Curved AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, 1300 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 (non-expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 64MP Sony IMX682 (primary) + 2MP macro |
| Front Camera | 13MP |
| Battery | 5500mAh, 45W fast charging |
| Operating System | XOS 15 based on Android 15 |
| Build | Vegan leather or metallic back, IP64, MIL-STD-810 certification |
| Weight | 180 grams |
| Thickness | 7.6mm |
| Colors | Marine Drift Blue (vegan leather), Titanium Grey, Ruby Red |
| Additional Features | Active Halo Light, JBL-tuned stereo speakers, in-display fingerprint sensor |
Should You Buy the Infinix Note 50s 5G+?
The Infinix Note 50s 5G+ is a rare breed in the sub-₹15,000 segment. It doesn’t force you to compromise on key features. The 144Hz AMOLED display is a game-changer, offering a premium viewing experience that rivals phones costing ₹20,000. The camera is consistent and versatile, the battery life is excellent, and the software is packed with useful features like AI tools and PC integration. Performance is smooth for daily tasks, and the design feels more premium than its price suggests.
However, it’s not perfect. Low-light camera performance could be better, and the lack of expandable storage might be a dealbreaker for some. The speakers are decent but not the loudest, and occasional heat buildup during outdoor use can cause minor lag. Compared to rivals like the Realme P3 and CMF Phone 1, the Note 50s offers a better display, more vibrant photos, and a feature-rich software experience. The CMF Phone 1 lags in camera quality, and the Realme P3 struggles with HDR and zoom.
The budget smartphone market in India has a problem—what’s called the “ladder of aspiration.” Brands like Realme and Redmi launch decent phones at ₹15,000 but tempt you with “Pro” variants at ₹20,000 that add minor upgrades like OIS or faster charging. This pushes the average selling price of smartphones to around ₹22,000, leaving a gap for true value-for-money phones under ₹15,000. The Infinix Note 50s 5G+ fills this gap beautifully. It gets the basics right and adds premium touches that make it feel like a steal at ₹14,999 (with offers).
Is It Worth It?
If you’re a college student, a first-time smartphone buyer, or someone looking for a reliable phone for your parents, the Infinix Note 50s 5G+ is a fantastic choice. It’s a solid all-rounder that doesn’t skimp on essentials like display, battery, or software. It’s not just another budget phone—it’s a device that deserves more love for its ability to deliver a premium experience at an affordable price. So, is it the most underrated smartphone under ₹15,000? Absolutely. Give it a chance, and you won’t be disappointed.
