Unveiling The Infinix Smart 8: A Budget Beauty Or Mid-Range Marvel?

Body: Build and Design Embracing Practicality

Coming in a range of vibrant colors including Crystal Green, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, and Timber Black, the Infinix Smart 8 is like a fashion show for your pocket. Here are the relevant specs:

From the looks as depicted in the images, the Infinix Smart 8 features an ergonomic design, striking a balance between a large screen and a form factor that's comfortable to hold, ensuring extended usage won't strain your hand. To get a rough idea of the phone's physical aspects, the predecessor Infinix Smart 7 had the dimensions of 163.8×75.6×8.7 mm and it weighed 188 g.

The Infinix Smart 8, like the predecessor Smart 7, struts onto the scene with a glass front, a plastic back, and a plastic frame - a combination that screams durability without sacrificing style. Plastic is less prone to shattering than glass, ensuring your heart won't break with every accidental drop. Say goodbye to hefty devices; the plastic build keeps things light, making it a joy to carry around. And plastic constructions often contribute to more affordable price tags, putting a smile on your wallet.

However, while durable, plastic lacks the premium feel of glass or metal. It might not scream luxury, but it gets the job done. Also, plastic surfaces can be more prone to scratches, so a little extra care might be in order.

The Infinix Smart 8 comes in multiple colors that suit different personalities. Crystal Green is nature-inspired and vibrant, perfect for those who want a dash of freshness in their tech. Galaxy White is sleek and modern, appealing to users who crave a clean and timeless aesthetic. Shiny Gold is for the bold and the glamorous; this color screams opulence and style. And Timber Black, classic and understated, caters to those who prefer a timeless, versatile look.

So, whether you're a nature lover, a modern minimalist, a glamor enthusiast, or a timeless classic, the Infinix Smart 8 has a color to match your vibe. Because in the world of smartphones, style meets substance, and practicality never looked so good.

IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

So, you've got your eyes on the Infinix Smart 8, but you've noticed it's not flaunting an IP rating. Should you be worried? Diving into the budget phone reality, it is a common quirk; budget-friendly smartphones often skip the IP rating. Water and dust resistance often take a back seat when affordability is the key player. However, this doesn't mean your Smart 8 is defenseless against the elements. Here are some practical suggestions to enable your Smart 8 to weather the storm:

• Avoid Liquid Adventures: While the lack of an official IP rating doesn't mean your phone is allergic to water, it's best to keep it away from aquatic escapades. A splash here and there might be forgiven, but submerging it is a risky move.
• Dust-Free Zone: Dust can be a smartphone's silent enemy. Keep your Smart 8 away from dusty pockets and sandy surfaces to maintain its longevity.
• Protective Case: A sturdy case acts as a shield, guarding your phone against accidental drops and bumps. Choose one that provides a good grip and covers the edges.
• Screen Protector: A tempered glass screen protector adds an extra layer of defense against scratches and minor impacts. It's like a guardian angel for your display.

If you're mindful of your surroundings and take a few precautionary measures, the lack of an official IP rating shouldn't be a deal-breaker. The Infinix Smart 8 can still be your reliable companion, so gear up your device and let it brave the world with confidence!

The predecessor Smart 7 did not have an official IP rating, either.

Display Delight

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

Sporting an IPS LCD panel, this phone's visual playground comes with its own set of perks and quirks. With a 6.6-inch screen rocking a 90 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness, the Smart 8 is promising a visual feast. Whether you're binge-watching your favorite series or engaged in casual, high-octane gaming, the display aims to deliver.

Image credit: Infinix

Here are the relevant specs:

The IPS LCD technology ensures vibrant and true-to-life colors, making your photos, videos, and apps pop with brilliance. A standout feature of an IPS LCD display is the wide viewing angles; no matter how you tilt your phone, the display remains clear. It's perfect for showing off that latest viral video to friends huddled around.

The Smart 8 takes the standard refresh rate up a notch with 90 Hz. What does this mean for you? Well, navigating through your social media feeds or web pages becomes buttery smooth. Also, a higher refresh rate translates to less motion blur, giving you a competitive edge in the gaming arena, even though this phone is not meant for the hardcore gamers.

The 720×1612 pixels resolution offers a decent visual experience. Ideal for everyday use, social media scrolling, and casual gaming, the Smart 8's resolution is a good match for the budget-friendly category. Your daily dose of emails, social media, and browsing? The Smart 8's resolution has you covered. Enjoying a round of your favorite mobile game? The display holds its own, offering an immersive experience.

When it comes to video streaming, while HD videos look crisp, the lack of a higher resolution might be noticeable in more cinematic content. But for your daily YouTube fix, it does the job. If, however, you're a pixel perfectionist, engaging in detailed photo editing or craving a cinematic feast, you might find yourself yearning for a display with a higher resolution.

With a peak brightness of 500 nits, the Smart 8 ensures visibility even under the blazing sun. Your outdoor Netflix binge just got an upgrade.

In a nutshell, the Infinix Smart 8's display is a budget-friendly canvas that brings your digital world to life. Whether you're gaming, streaming, or just swiping through memes, the display's mix of IPS LCD goodness, a 90 Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits peak brightness make it a visual treat in its class.

For comparison, the predecessor Infinix Smart 7 sported a similar display with the same size, resolution, and peak brightness, but it had a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, compared to the 90 Hz of the Smart 8.

Networks

Networking is the invisible thread that connects us all in the digital realm! The Infinix Smart 8 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies.

GSM and HSPA are the stalwarts, providing 2G and 3G connectivity, respectively. Then there's LTE, the foundation of modern 4G networks, delivering faster internet speeds and improved call quality.

The predecessor Smart 7 supported the same networking technologies.

SIM

The Infinix Smart 8, like the predecessor Smart 7, supports dual Nano-SIM (dual stand-by).

Chipset: Under the Hood

This smartphone plays in the Unisoc T606 league, backed by an octa-core CPU (consisting of two types of cores), not forgetting the Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. Here are the relevant specs:

The Smart 8 proudly rocks the Unisoc T606 chipset, a 12 nm marvel that serves as the brain of the operation. The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, is the brain's brain. In this octa-core setup, two types of cores take center stage.

The two 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores are the powerhouses, handling demanding tasks and resource-intensive applications. Think of them as the sprinters in the processor relay.

And the six 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores form the supporting cast, optimized for efficiency. They take care of the everyday tasks, ensuring your phone doesn't break a sweat during the marathon of daily use.

While both core types dance to the same clock rate of 1.6 GHz, their strengths lie in their specialties. The A75 cores shine when you're pushing the limits, while the A55 cores keep things efficient and power-friendly during the daily grind.

In the performance arena, the Smart 8's CPU and GPU collaboration is adept at everyday tasks, ensuring smooth sailing through emails, social media, and casual browsing. You can casually enjoy your favorite mobile games without a hiccup, and switch between apps with finesse.

However, with the relatively low clock rate, you might need to tap the brakes with certain tasks, such as intensive gaming - graphics-intensive games might struggle to hit peak performance. Resource-heavy apps demanding substantial processing power might also experience a lag.

In short, the Smart 8's chipset, CPU, and GPU configuration is the embodiment of adequacy in affordability, which, considering its budget-friendly nature, delivers a commendable performance within its limitations. It's your reliable companion for everyday tasks and entertainment but might bow out gracefully when faced with heavyweight contenders. While it might not break speed records, it's your trusty sidekick for the day-to-day adventures in the digital realm.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

Accompanying a generous 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage is a dedicated microSDXC slot that caters to your storage cravings.

The RAM and storage capacities are an upgrade over the predecessor Smart 7's, which came in two variants with 3 GB and 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB eMMC 5.1 storage (in both).

Cameras: Eyes on the Lens

The dual-camera setup at the back features a 13 MP main lens and a 0.3 MP depth sensor, promising to capture your world in detail. The 1080p at 30 fps video recording, along with the Ring-LED flash, panorama, and HDR features, add a dash of versatility.

And the 8 MP front camera is ready to make you the star of your own selfie saga.

Rear Camera

Infinix Smart 8 main camera setup. Image credit: Infinix

Here are the relevant specs:

Specification	Infinix Smart 8
Number of Cameras	2 (Dual)
Resolution (Megapixels)	13 MP (wide), 0.3 MP VGA (depth)
Focal Length	27 mm, N/A
Aperture	f/1.8, N/A
Autofocus	AF, N/A
Video Recording	1080p at 30 fps
Other Features	Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR

The 13 MP wide lens (27 mm, f/1.8) is the main act, capturing your everyday adventures with clarity and detail. From landscapes to group photos, this lens has you covered.

The 0.3 MP depth sensor is the backstage magician, adding depth to your photos. It's perfect for those portrait shots that make your subject pop by creating a pleasing bokeh effect, adding a professional touc to your photographyh.

Autofocus (AF) ensures that your shots are sharp and clear, even when your subject is on the move. Say goodbye to blurry photos and hello to crystal-clear memories.

When the lights dim, the Ring-LED flash steps in. Whether you're at a dimly lit restaurant or capturing the stars at night, this feature ensures your photos shine.

The Panorama mode allows you to capture breathtaking wide-angle shots. Ideal for scenic landscapes, large group photos, it's your ticket to a broader perspective and 360° beauty.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) balances the exposure in your photos, ensuring that both bright and dark areas are well-detailed. Say farewell to washed-out skies and underexposed shadows.

As a closing shot, the Infinix Smart 8's main camera setup is your pocket-sized photography companion, combining two lenses to cover a spectrum of shooting scenarios. With features like Autofocus, Ring-LED flash, Panorama, and HDR, your photographic journey just got a whole lot more exciting. Ready, aim, click!

The older Smart 7 sported a similar main camera setup with matching video recording capabilities and features, except that it had dual-LED flash instead of the Ring-LED flash of the Smart 8.

Battery: Fuel for the Day

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Powering this device is a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery. Here are the relevant specs:

Paired with 10 W wired charging, it's not the fastest kid on the block, but it aims to go the distance. Plus, the reverse wired charging allows you to recharge your friend's phone in need.

The older Smart 7 sported a similar battery and charging setup, but lacked the reverse charging feature.

Symphony of Sound

Here are the relevant specs:

Equipped with a loudspeaker and the 3.5 mm headphone jack, your audio needs are covered.

The older Smart 7 had a similar audio setup.

Connectivity Chronicles

Wander into the realms of dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, ensuring you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The Infinix Smart 8 boasts Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring a seamless connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices. With features like A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) for high-quality audio streaming and LE (Low Energy) for power efficiency, your Bluetooth experience reaches new heights.

The Infinix Smart 8 supports GPS, so your phone always knows where you are.

Sadly, no NFC, but hey, compromises are part of the game.

The inclusion of FM radio adds a touch of nostalgia for those who love the classic radio experience and like to keep it old school.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C 2.0 - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your phone, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C 2.0 ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your phone's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology. And the support for OTG (USB On-The-Go) enables your smartphone to act as host and connect to other USB devices, such as flash drives, keyboards, cameras, and more, without needing a computer as an intermediary.

Sensors

The Infinix Smart 8 comes equipped with the following sensors:

• Proximity Sensor: Detects the presence or movement of an object (say, with infrared, sound, light, or electromagnetic fields) without physically contacting it. It is used, for example, to turn off the screen when you position your device close to your ear while making a call.
• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the Infinix Smart 8.
• Accelerometer: The accelerometer detects changes in the device's orientation and acceleration. If you tilt, shake, or move your device, the accelerometer knows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is Infinix Smart 8 release date?

  The Infinix Smart 8 has been announced and released on the 9th November, 2023.

• What is Infinix Smart 8 price?

  The Infinix Smart 8 is priced NGN 82000 (about USD 102).