Infinix Note 50 Pro+ review

Design, build quality, handling

One of the important generational improvements on the Infinix Note 50 Pro+ can be seen in its build. The plastic frame has been replaced with a metal one, which Infinix calls ArmorAlloy and describes it as "a unique blend of Damascus steel and aerospace-grade aluminum alloy" - we reckon it's mostly aluminum, but it's nice alright.

They're not making a big deal out of the back's material, but our (questionably scientific) method of poking at it with a knife indicates it to be glass - it doesn't scratch. The Note 50 Pro 4G does when subjected to the same test. Why Infinix chose not to market the Pro+ as glass baffles us.

Infinix Note 50 Pro+ (left) and Note 50 Pro (4G)

It's got a frosted anti-reflective finish that's somehow not as slippery as other similar ones. It's also not nearly as fingerprint-proof as some are, though we'd say it's striking a reasonable balance between the two properties. The camera island is glossy and picks up fingerprints readily, though.

Our Note 50 Pro+ review unit is in the Titanium Grey colorway, but there's also Enchanted Purple (like the Note 50 Pro above). Additionally, a Racing Edition also exists that carries the colors of the BMW M division thanks to a collaboration with a BMW subsidiary (which is not the right subsidiary, hence no explicit M mentions). This version ships in a different packaging with some extra accessories.

The Note 50 Pro+ is IP64-rated for dust and water resistance - it's dust-tight, and should be good for water splashes, but isn't protected against submersion.

Dual nano SIM slot (no eSIM support)

The octagonal camera island is something of a design accent, but perhaps more intriguing is the functionality you find there. Other than the obvious - the cameras, there is also a heart-rate sensor and a pill-shaped LED illuminator below the telephoto module.

Called Halo AI lightning system, it consists of 84 single-color LEDs in 28 channels with 256 levels of dynamic adjustment, per Infinix marketing materials. It's a neat notification device if you're in the habit of keeping your phone face down, and can also be useful when you're taking pictures with the self timer.

Over on the front, the 6.78-inch OLED is surrounded by slim bezels that are only marginally thicker top and bottom than they are on the sides. It's got a relatively boxy look that we quite like.

The Note 50 Pro+ uses an underdisplay fingerprint sensor for authentication and we found it to work quickly and reliably. It's the optical variety, so the included glass screen protector shouldn't be presenting any issues with operation (ultrasonic sensors, like them as we might, tend not to play nicely with glass protectors). We're not too fond of the sensor's low placement though.