Infinix Smart 8 Plus: There’s something refreshing about finding a smartphone that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone. When Infinix launched the Smart 8 Plus in March 2024 at ₹7,799, I wasn’t expecting much—just another entry-level device trying to squeeze every penny from budget-conscious buyers. But after spending nearly two months with this phone, I’ve discovered something genuinely surprising: sometimes simplicity done right beats complexity done poorly.
Design That Defies Expectations
The first thing that strikes you about the Smart 8 Plus is how premium it feels despite its budget positioning. The device boasts a sleek design with a timber texture finish that’s both aesthetically pleasing and functionally smart. Available in three attractive colors—Galaxy White, Timber Black, and Shiny Gold—each variant has its own personality.
At 204 grams, the phone feels substantial without being unwieldy. The 6.6-inch display dominates the front, while the back features a distinctive quad-LED ring flash that’s become something of an Infinix signature. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is responsive and well-positioned, making unlocking the device feel natural rather than awkward.
What impressed me most was the build quality. Despite being made primarily of plastic, the Smart 8 Plus doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy. The timber texture on the back not only looks good but also provides a secure grip that reduces the likelihood of accidental drops.
Display: 90Hz Smoothness on a Budget
The 6.6-inch HD+ IPS LCD display might not win any resolution awards, but it gets the job done admirably. Despite its HD quality, the Infinix Smart 8 Plus maintains vibrant colours and sharp contrasts, elevating your visual content. The 90Hz refresh rate is genuinely impressive at this price point, making everyday interactions feel fluid and responsive.
The punch-hole design maximizes screen real estate, achieving a 90.80% screen-to-body ratio. While the 267 ppi pixel density means you can spot individual pixels if you look closely, in normal usage, the display provides perfectly adequate clarity for social media, messaging, and casual video consumption.
The 500 nits peak brightness ensures decent outdoor visibility, though direct sunlight can still be challenging. For indoor use and most everyday scenarios, the display quality exceeds what you’d typically expect from a sub-₹8,000 smartphone.
Performance: Helio G36 Keeps Things Moving
Under the hood, the MediaTek Helio G36 processor powers the Smart 8 Plus. The Infinix Smart 8 Plus delivers impressive performance thanks to its MediaTek Helio G36 chipset and octa-core CPU, with clock speeds of up to 2.2 GHz. This combination of powerful hardware, along with its 64-bit architecture and 12 nm process technology, ensures efficient operation and energy optimization.
The 4GB of physical RAM, expandable to 8GB through virtual RAM technology, handles multitasking surprisingly well. Social media apps, messaging, and light gaming run smoothly, though you’ll notice occasional stuttering when switching between multiple demanding applications.
For casual gaming, the Smart 8 Plus performs admirably. Popular titles like Subway Surfers, Candy Crush, and even lighter versions of PUBG Mobile run without significant issues. Don’t expect flagship-level performance, but for the target demographic, it’s more than adequate.
Camera System: 50MP That Actually Delivers
The camera setup represents one of the phone’s strongest features. Equipped with a 50MP primary camera and AI lens, the Infinix Smart 8 Plus promises decent image quality across various lighting conditions. The quad-LED ring flash isn’t just for show—it genuinely improves low-light photography compared to single-LED solutions.
Daylight photography produces sharp, well-detailed images with good color reproduction. The AI enhancement works subtly, improving contrast and saturation without over-processing. The 8MP front camera with LED flash handles selfies competently, delivering natural skin tones and adequate detail for social media sharing.
Video recording capabilities are basic but functional, supporting 1080p recording at 30fps. The lack of stabilization is noticeable, but for casual video capture, it’s acceptable.
Battery Life: The 6000mAh Advantage
This is where the Smart 8 Plus truly shines. The Infinix Smart 8 Plus features a hefty 6000 mAh Li-Polymer battery, providing long-lasting power without the need for frequent recharging. In practical terms, this translates to easy all-day usage, even with heavy social media consumption and multimedia playback.
The 18W fast charging via USB Type-C ensures you’re not waiting forever to top up. From empty to 80% takes roughly 90 minutes, while a full charge requires about two hours. For most users, overnight charging will be sufficient for the next day’s activities.
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Software Experience: Android 13 Go Edition
The phone runs Android 13 Go Edition with XOS 13 on top. While some might view the Go Edition as a limitation, it actually works well with the Smart 8 Plus’s hardware. The interface feels optimized and responsive, with minimal bloatware cluttering the experience.
The Magic Ring feature, Infinix’s take on the Dynamic Island, provides useful notifications around the punch-hole camera. It’s not groundbreaking, but it adds a touch of modern functionality to the user experience.
Infinix Smart 8 Plus The Verdict: Budget Excellence Achieved
The Infinix Smart 8 Plus succeeds where many budget phones fail: it knows exactly what it is and executes that vision well. At ₹7,799, it offers a compelling combination of solid build quality, adequate performance, excellent battery life, and useful features.
This isn’t a phone for power users or photography enthusiasts. But for students, elderly users, or anyone seeking a reliable second device, the Smart 8 Plus delivers exceptional value. It’s proof that budget smartphones don’t have to feel like compromises—sometimes they can feel like smart choices.