Infinix has officially launched its latest budget smartphone, the Infinix Smart 9, following up on the success of the Infinix Smart 8. With improved features and a competitive price tag, the Infinix Smart 9 aims to capture the budget segment by offering an enhanced display, a new processor, and solid battery life. The phone, which silently debuted in Malaysia, introduces significant upgrades, including a faster chipset and better display, while maintaining affordability.

Key Points

The Infinix Smart 9 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 processor.

Features a 6.7-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Equipped with a 5000mAh battery and 10W charging support.

Available in Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, and Sandstone Gold color options.

Priced at MYR 299 (approximately Rs 6,300) for the base model in Malaysia.

Features

The Infinix Smart 9 builds upon the success of its predecessor by offering several improvements, most notably in performance and display. Despite being a budget offering, it includes features typically found in higher-end smartphones, making it a strong contender in the affordable smartphone market.

Display and Design

The Infinix Smart 9 sports a 6.7-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. The device offers a 90.2% screen-to-body ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth visuals and better overall display quality. Its 500 nits of brightness ensures that the screen remains visible even under bright light conditions. With its sleek design and modern aesthetics, the Smart 9 is available in four attractive colors: Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, and Sandstone Gold.

Performance

At the heart of the Infinix Smart 9 is the MediaTek Helio G81 chipset, which is a notable upgrade from the Helio G36 found in the previous model. This processor delivers faster speeds and better multitasking capabilities. The phone is available in two RAM and storage configurations—3GB/64GB and 4GB/128GB—and offers 4GB virtual RAM support for smoother performance.

Cameras

On the camera front, the Infinix Smart 9 features a 13MP primary rear camera, which, while a downgrade from the 50MP camera in the Smart 8, still performs well for everyday photography. For selfies and video calls, the phone has an 8MP front-facing camera that provides decent clarity.

Battery and Charging

The Infinix Smart 9 houses a 5000mAh battery, which ensures long-lasting usage. While the phone supports 10W standard charging, the large battery capacity compensates for the slower charging speed, providing enough power to last through a full day of usage on a single charge.

Durability and Extra Features

The phone comes with an IP54 rating, providing protection against dust and splashes, making it more durable than its predecessors. It also features dual stereo speakers, Boost Engine for enhanced performance, and 48-month fluency, a feature aimed at optimizing the phone’s longevity.

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels) with 120Hz refresh rate

Processor: MediaTek Helio G81 SoC with Mali G52 GPU

RAM/Storage: 3GB/64GB and 4GB/128GB options with 4GB virtual RAM

Operating System: Android 14 (Go Edition) with XOS 14 skin

Rear Camera: 13MP primary sensor

Front Camera: 8MP selfie shooter

Battery: 5000mAh with 10W standard charging

Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, USB Type-C

Additional Features: IP54 rating, dual stereo speakers, Boost Engine, 48-month fluency, always-on display

Pricing and Availability

The Infinix Smart 9 is currently available in Malaysia with a starting price of MYR 299 (approximately Rs 6,300) for the base 3GB/64GB variant. The higher-end 4GB/128GB model’s price is yet to be announced. The smartphone is available in four color options: Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, and Sandstone Gold. While it is initially available in Malaysia, global availability details are yet to be confirmed.

Conclusion

The Infinix Smart 9 represents an excellent value for budget-conscious consumers, offering a blend of decent performance, a large display, and solid battery life. While some features, such as the camera, may have been scaled down from the previous model, the upgrades in performance and display make it a worthy successor to the Smart 8. With its affordable pricing and attractive feature set, the Infinix Smart 9 is poised to be a popular choice in the budget smartphone market.