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Infinix Smart 6: A Budget Smartphone With Certain Shortcomings

If you're in the market for an excellent yet budget-friendly smartphone, the Infinix Smart 6 emerges as a compelling choice. Positioned as one of Infinix's top-tier entry-level smartphones, the Smart 6 builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Infinix Smart 5. While the camera specifications may vary between the two models, the standout feature of the Smart 6 lies in its impressive battery capacity.

This device not only serves as an upgrade from the Smart 5 but also showcases enhanced capabilities, making it a praiseworthy contender in the entry-level smartphone segment. In addition to its improved battery performance, the Infinix Smart 6 presents users with a cost-effective solution without compromising on essential features.

Design And Build Of The Infinix Smart 6

The look of the Infinix Smart 6 is characterized by a simple yet appealing design. However, the phone's glossy finish, while visually pleasing, has a tendency to attract fingerprints and smudges rapidly. 

Examining the back of the phone, you'll find a square camera module and an integrated fingerprint sensor. It's important to mention that the camera module might create a visual illusion of four cameras, but in reality, it accommodates only two sensors alongside two LED flash modules.

When it comes to the phone's physical features, the bottom section hosts a micro-USB charging port, a speaker grille, and a headphone jack. On the right side of the frame, you'll discover a power button and a volume rocker, while the left side houses a full-sized SIM card slot capable of accommodating two SIM cards and a microSD card for expanded storage options.

Despite its larger size, the Infinix Smart 6 remains remarkably comfortable for day-long usage. This combination of design elements and practical features contributes to an overall user-friendly experience, making it a convenient companion for daily activities.

Display And Multimedia Experience

The Infinix Smart 6 has a big 6.6-inch TFT display, offering an HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. With an impressive brightness capability of up to 500 nits, the screen-to-body ratio stands at a commendable 89%. Although featuring slightly thicker bezels and a classic water drop notch housing the front-facing camera, the design, though bordering on the conventional, maintains an average look given its budget-friendly nature.

In the arena of budget smartphones, display vibrancy often takes a back seat, but the Infinix Smart 6 opposes this trend. It sets apart as an exception, treating users to a display that radiates rich colors effortlessly across gaming sessions, video streaming, and general browsing. However, in certain instances, the display might tend to lean towards oversaturation. While the brightness is sufficient for indoor use, it does fall short in delivering optimal legibility under direct sunlight.

Stepping into the world of audio, the Infinix Smart 6 incorporates a solitary bottom-firing speaker, generously loud enough for an enjoyable movie-watching or YouTube video experience. Adding to the pleasant surprise, the device has DTS support, a notable feature in a smartphone of this affordability range, significantly elevating the overall audio quality for users.

Stunning Photos with Infinix Smart 6's Dual Camera

The primary downside of the Infinix Smart 6 lies in its camera performance, with the 8MP main sensor leaving many users disappointed. However, it's essential not to dismiss the Smart 6 in a haste based solely on its camera capabilities, as it brings a host of other features to the table.

For photography lovers, the Infinix Smart 6 introduces a dual-camera setup at the rear, featuring an 8MP primary wide lens with an f/2.0 aperture and an additional 0.8MP secondary depth sensor. The camera arsenal includes prominent features such as Auto Scene detection and various modes like AI HDR, Beauty, and Portrait, providing users with creative options. In well-lit conditions, the back camera delivers acceptable performance, showcasing good color reproduction, moderate contrast, sharpness, and details within its class. However, it's worth bringing up that the shutter speed lags behind other models in the segment, contributing to a relatively slower performance. 

On the front, resides a 5MP selfie camera sensor having an f/2.0 aperture and a single LED flash. Selfies captured by the Infinix smartphone showcase admirable color reproduction and natural skin tones without excessive processing. While lacking the array of fancy filters, the results lean towards a more genuine image representation. Both camera modules support FHD 1080p video recording, offering versatility for users looking to capture moments in motion.

Video recording capabilities extend to a maximum of 1080p/30fps for both front and rear cameras. Videos exhibit satisfactory quality under daylight conditions, but issues arise in low-light scenarios, introducing noticeable noise. The microphone, unfortunately, tends to produce a muffled sound and captures significant background noise, diminishing the overall audio recording experience.

Performance And Software Updates

The Infinix Smart 6 relies on the somewhat antiquated Mediatek Helio A22 processor, utilizing a 12 nm fabrication process. Accompanied by a modest 2GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, the device allows for the allocation of around 1GB of storage to virtual RAM, although the impact on performance is limited due to the nature of eMMC storage. The device's 64GB storage capacity is excellent, topping competitors offering only 32GB. Moreover, with the addition of an external microSD card, users can expand storage up to an impressive 512GB.

Running on XOS v7.6, based on the Android 11 Go edition, the device introduces users to a somewhat cluttered interface due to pre-installed applications. While these apps may slightly interrupt the user experience, they play a role in enabling manufacturers to maintain competitive pricing while potentially generating revenue through ads.

The device's app drawer diverges from the stock version, offering various features like on-screen translation, social turbo, smart panel, theft alert, kids mode, and eye-care mode. 

Moving on to performance, the Infinix Smart 6 exhibits noticeable lags, especially during tasks such as unlocking the device and opening apps like Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, and Gmail. Multitasking and competitive gaming also present challenges, although casual games perform adequately. 

On the multimedia front, using YouTube to play videos consecutively often results in app crashes, a quirk that, unfortunately, lacks a clear explanation.

Biometric options include a fingerprint sensor on the back and facial recognition utilizing the front-facing camera. The former was quick to open the handset, but the face sensor failed on most occasions, resulting in a less secure experience.

Impressive Battery Life

At the heart of the Infinix Smart 6 lies a massive 5000 mAh battery, a true powerhouse of Infinix's commitment to providing substantial power reserves in their smartphones. In line with industry standards for this price segment, the Smart 6's battery capacity stands at 5000 mAh, a norm that doesn't disappoint. This formidable battery translates into an impressive battery life, capable of sustaining usage for approximately two days. Even for users with demanding needs, the Smart 6 guarantees a full day's worth of power, defining a balance between capacity and longevity.

Adding a strategic edge to power management, the Infinix Smart 6 introduces a Power Marathon mode, designed to extract the utmost efficiency from its battery life. While the device excels in battery performance, the charging speed emerges as a prominent area for improvement. Equipped with a 10W charger, the Smart 6 demands a patience-inducing 3 to 4 hours for a complete charging cycle.

A minor drawback surfaces in the choice of a micro-USB port for charging, presenting a missed opportunity for a Type-C charging port, a standard embraced by many competitors in the market. Despite its shortcomings in certain aspects, the Infinix Smart 6 deserves credit for its impressive battery performance, making it a reliable companion for prolonged usage.

Comprehensive Connectivity Options

The Infinix Smart 6 offers a dual SIM setup, accommodating Nano-SIM cards for improved flexibility in managing your communication needs. The wireless connectivity features of this device contribute to a smooth and efficient user experience.

For Wi-Fi connectivity, the Smart 6 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, ensuring a reliable and fast connection for internet browsing and data usage. The inclusion of hotspot capability adds an extra layer of convenience for sharing your internet connection with other devices.

When it comes to wireless communication, the device has Bluetooth v5.0, facilitating swift and stable connections with compatible devices. The Bluetooth functionality enhances the Smart 6's versatility, enabling effortless pairing with various peripherals and accessories.

Navigation is made easy with the inclusion of GPS functionality, supported by A-GPS technology. This ensures accurate and reliable location tracking, whether you're exploring new places or navigating familiar surroundings.

While Near Field Communication (NFC) is not part of its feature set, the Smart 6 compensates with other connectivity options. Moving on to ports, the device incorporates a MicroUSB 2.0 interface, assuring compatibility and ease of use. The added USB On-The-Go (OTG) feature increases the device's utility, allowing for the direct connection of compatible accessories and peripherals.

The Infinix Smart 6: To Buy or Not to Buy

Consider Buying If...

The Infinix Smart 6 is an ideal choice if your smartphone requirements revolve around fundamental tasks such as texting, calling, playing music, and indulging in light games. Its user-friendly performance in these areas, coupled with an attractive price point, makes it a good option for those with modest needs.

If you value a generous screen size for a highly defined visual experience, the Infinix Smart 6 won't disappoint. Whether you're watching movies or struggle with small fonts, the ample screen provides a delightful viewing experience.

Think Twice If...

For individuals passionate about photography and seeking premium image quality, the Infinix Smart 6 may fall short. While it can capture acceptable pictures, it doesn't rival the high-quality output.

Despite its appealing design and decent battery life, the Infinix Smart 6 might not be the best fit for avid gamers. The limitations in RAM and processing power could pose challenges when tackling resource-intensive games, potentially leading to a less-than-optimal gaming experience.

So, What’s The Verdict?

The Infinix Smart 6 is adapted for those seeking the most essential features at an affordable price point. While its low-cost nature is appealing, users may experience occasional sluggishness, especially under heavier usage. For those willing to invest a bit more, alternative options with better specifications could offer a smoother and more satisfying smartphone experience.

In Pakistan, the Infinix Smart 6 is presented in various colors, including Purple, Quetzal Cyan, Light Sea Green, Midnight Black, and Heart of Ocean. It's important to note that color availability might vary among retailers.

However, pricing for the Infinix Smart 6 in Pakistan is as follows:

2GB RAM + 32GB ROM: Rs. 19,499

3GB RAM + 64GB ROM: Rs. 27,999

The device is readily accessible through various online retailers, Infinix's official website, and authorized retail partners. However, it's recommended to consider potential price variations among different sellers.

Going deeper into the device's specifications, the Infinix Smart 6 competes in the market with a competitive pricing strategy. Emphasizing battery life and display quality, it does face a drawback in terms of RAM capacity, which might impact performance. Optimal user experience could have been achieved with an improved RAM capacity and a more strong processor. As potential buyers weigh their options, the trade-offs between affordability and performance should be carefully considered to ensure the Infinix Smart 6 aligns with individual preferences and needs.

Infinix Smart 6 Specifications Recap

Display: 6.6-inch screen, HD+ resolution (1600 x 720 pixels), 500 nits brightness, 89% screen-to-body ratio, 1500:1 contrast ratio, and 72% NTSC color representation.

Processor: 2GHz Quad-Core MediaTek Helio A22, built on a 12 nm architecture, complemented by an IMG PowerVR GE-class GPU.

RAM and Storage: 2GB LPDDR4X RAM, supplemented by 2GB of Virtual RAM, paired with 64GB of internal storage. Expandable memory options up to 512GB.

Operating System: Android 11 (Go Edition), customized for optimized performance on entry-level devices.

Security Features: Fingerprint sensor and Face unlock functionalities for secure device access.

Cameras: Rear - 8MP primary camera with f/2.0 aperture, accompanied by a depth sensor and dual LED flash. Front - 5MP Selfie camera with LED flash.

Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and micro USB for versatile connectivity.

Battery: 5000mAh battery capacity, supporting 10W charging.