Which Infinix Hot 50 4.5G phone should you buy today?

Infinix has finally ditched the iPhone lookalike phase for the Hot 50 series. Let’s see what else is new.
10 minute read
Which Infinix Hot 50 4.5G phone should you buy today?
Photo: Infinix Hot 50 series

Finding a smartphone that balances affordability and great features in 2025 has gradually become easy with Infinix at the helm. The Hot 50 lineup launched late in 2024 and it includes the Hot 50, Hot 50 Pro, and Hot 50 Pro+, each offering a mix of style, performance, and value at competitive prices. 

As the successor to the Hot 40, this series brings notable upgrades, including a Helio G100 processor, AI-powered enhancements and advanced Silicon-Carbide (SiC) battery technology for a solid experience. But is the price difference between models worth it? 

In this review, we break down what each phone offers to see if the Pro versions justify the extra cost.

See Also: What is inside the sleek and portable Infinix Hot 40i?

Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick look at the strengths and trade-offs for the new lineup.

Reasons to buy the Infinix Hot 50 series

  • 4.5G internet for faster speeds and lower latency in gaming.
  • Bypass charging for continuous usage and reduced heat.
  • Dual system mode for better customisation.
  • Sleek, premium design.
  • JBL-powered stereo speakers.
  • IP54-rated for dust and splash resistance.

What to Consider

  • Ships without Android 15.
  • Charging speed is slow.
  • Camera performance is just average.
  • No support for wireless charging.
  • Not ideal for high-end gaming or heavy multitasking.

Infinix Hot 50 series: What are the upgrades from Hot 40?

Well, a couple. Starting with the fresh identity:

Design and Build

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
Image Credit: Yugatech

The first thing you’ll notice about the Infinix Hot 50 series is how lightweight it feels in hand. The Pro+ is the lightest at just 166g, making it even more comfortable to use one-handed than the base model (188g) and the Pro (190g). The slim profile and flat-frame design give it a clean, modern look, while the plastic-matte finish feels surprisingly solid without coming off as cheap.

Infinix has also refreshed the colour lineup, with the Pro+ getting a new pink option that adds a bit more personality. The rear camera layout follows a squared design that blends well with the frame, a shift from the more common circular modules. It’s a subtle change but one that makes the phone stand out.

On the durability front, the entire series comes with IP54 certification, offering resistance against dust and water splashes—useful for those who spend time outdoors or just want a little extra protection. Another standout feature is the 5-Year TÜV Fluency Rating, a first in this price range, suggesting long-term performance and software stability.

For buttons and ports, everything is where you’d expect. The volume and power buttons sit on the right, while the left remains clean. At the bottom, you’ll find a USB-C port that doubles as the ear jack, a speaker, and a SIM tray with dual SIM support and a dedicated microSD slot. The top houses another speaker and what appears to be a microphone.

Overall, Infinix has put real thought into the design, making this lineup feel refined and premium for the price.

Display

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
The 120Hz refresh rate on Infinix’s Hot 50 phones keeps everything entertainment fluid.

The Hot 50 series steps up its display game too with a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel, FHD+ resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The colours are rich, the contrast is deep, and at 1800 nits peak brightness, visibility under sunlight isn’t an issue. This is a noticeable upgrade from the Hot 40, which had a 90Hz refresh rate. Now, interactions like scrolling, swiping, and switching between apps feel even smoother.

The screen is also curved, adding a more immersive feel to the viewing experience. The Hot 50 Pro takes it a step further with High Brightness Mode, which automatically adjusts for outdoor use.

There’s mention of Gorilla Glass protection to substitute the AMOLED panel which offers deeper blacks compared to LCDs. The phone also includes Eye Care and Dark Mode, which help reduce strain during long usage. One thing to keep in mind is that higher refresh rates can impact battery life, but you can always switch to an adaptive setting to balance performance and efficiency.

Camera

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
The Infinix Hot 50 4G rear view in Sage Green.

The Hot 50 series keeps things simple but effective in the camera department. The standard Hot 50 comes with a 48MP main sensor and an 8MP front camera—fair for the price. The Pro version steps it up with a 50MP primary lens and a secondary depth sensor, adding a bit more versatility. At first glance, the Pro’s triple-lens setup might seem more advanced, but only two cameras actually function, with the third likely there for aesthetics.

Low-light performance is respectable, though a bit of shutter lag may be noticeable. AI processing helps with brightness and contrast, delivering decent shots in good lighting. Video recording maxes out at 1440p at 30fps, which is a nice touch for budget devices. Selfies turn out well, with skin tones appearing natural and an LED flash helping in dim conditions.

The Hot 50 Pro+ takes things a step further, keeping the 50MP setup but improving video quality to 2K resolution. It also introduces an AI Eraser tool—handy for removing unwanted objects from shots. The software includes various shooting modes like Portrait, Super Night, and Dual Video, making it easy to experiment.

The Hot 50 series sure delivers solid cameras for the price. The Pro models even offer slight improvements, but if you’re looking for major upgrades, you might need to set your sights higher. Let’s see how the rest of the phone holds up.

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
The AI Camera offers additional Film and Pro options. | Source: SmartPrix

Processor

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
Antutu Benchmark scores on the Hot 50 Pro+ variant.

We’re still waiting for Transsion phones to adopt Snapdragon chips, but for now, the Hot 50 series sticks with the MediaTek Helio G100—the same processor found in the new Redmi Note 14 Pro. 

It’s more energy-efficient than the Helio G88 used in the previous Hot 40 series, thanks to its 6nm fabrication and a mix of two Cortex-A76 cores (up to 2.2GHz) and six Cortex-A55 cores (2.0GHz). It’s a capable chipset for a budget phone, though not a major leap in raw power.

The Hot 50 Pro comes with 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, which can be expanded to 16GB with MemFusion, and 256GB of UFS 2.0 storage. There’s also microSD support up to 2TB, so storage won’t be an issue.

For gaming, the performance is decent. Call of Duty: Mobile runs at an average of 57 FPS on medium settings, while PUBG Mobile hovers around 27 FPS. Lowering the graphics settings might help to smooth things out, especially in demanding titles. Lighter games like Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends run well, and the Xarena feature adds some optimisation for a better experience.

Operating System

The Hot 50 series runs on Android 14 with Infinix’s XOS 14.5, bringing a familiar yet refined experience. The interface feels smooth, and while there’s some pre-installed bloatware, most of it can be removed. At least essential apps like Messenger and Instagram are already there, saving you the extra step.

AI features play a big role, with an AI Wallpaper Generator, AI-powered camera optimisations, and battery management tools. There’s also a Dynamic Island-style notification bar that tracks charging, calls, and face unlock. Folax, Infinix’s smart assistant, is still around, offering voice control and translation features.

Now, the catch—there’s no confirmed OS update, which isn’t ideal for long-term use. Infinix promises two years of security patches, but whether it gets Android 15 is still up in the air. Not exactly the best news for a phone in this price range, but generally, okay.

Battery

The Hot 50 Pro series steps up its charging game with 33W fast charging, a noticeable jump from the 18W support on the Hot 40 series. Infinix gives you three charging modes: Hyper Mode pushes the battery from 1% to 50% in under 30 minutes, Smart Mode balances speed and temperature, and Low-Temp Mode keeps things cooler—ideal for gaming sessions.

Battery longevity is another highlight, with Infinix claiming up to four years of use while maintaining 80% health. There are extra safety features, too, like Bypass Charging for gaming, Overnight Charging Protection, and Charging Liquid Protection.

Out of the box, the base Hot 50 comes with an 18W charger, which takes a little over two hours for a full charge. The Pro models ship with a 33W adapter, cutting the wait time significantly—charging from 20% to 100% in just 55 minutes.

As for endurance, the phone handles a full day with ease, even with heavy use. PCMark’s Work 3.0 battery test clocked 13 hours and 53 minutes, while a continuous video loop test stretched past 23 hours. That’s solid for long workdays, binge-watching, or extended gaming.

Review: Infinix Hot 50 series, Features & Price in Nigeria
Infinix Hot 50 Pro+ features

Infinix Hot 50 series: Which model should you go for?

These phones take Infinix into a higher price bracket, and at these prices, it’s no longer just competing with other budget-friendly options—it’s now up against brands like Realme that offer more solid alternatives. Many long-time Infinix users who picked up the Hot 10, Hot 11, or Hot 12 might find this one out of reach. So who’s this really for?

The base Hot 50 is the most affordable, but stepping up to the Pro or Pro+ gets you an AMOLED display, faster charging, and a more versatile camera setup. If display quality and charging speed matter to you, the Pro models make sense for the small price jump. The Helio G100 processor handles daily tasks well, and the 48MP camera setup is respectable for casual shots. There’s also a Silicon-Carbide battery for better efficiency, though charging speeds aren’t the fastest.

That said, none of these phones support 5G, which might be a dealbreaker for gamers or anyone looking for better future-proofing. The software also comes with some pre-installed apps, but that’s expected at this price. Still, with solid performance, reliable battery life, and a modern design, the Hot 50 series delivers where it counts.

Now, is it the best value for money? That depends. If you’re set on Infinix and don’t mind the price jump, you’re getting a capable daily driver with a familiar UI. But if you’re open to other brands, Realme offers strong competition in this range. Either way, Infinix is clearly pushing into new territory—whether that works in their favour is something time will tell.

Pricing and Availability

The Infinix Hot 50 Pro is available online at the official Infinix store and in local Infinix-authorised retail outlets. 

The phone is currently priced at ₦240,000 for the Hot 50, ₦280,000 for the Hot 50 Pro, and ₦300,000 for the Hot 50 Pro+. 

It comes in two storage options: 4GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage. You can also find it online on platforms like Jumia.