Design and Build Quality
The Infinix Note 40 Pro and Note 40 share a similar design philosophy but diverge in subtle yet impactful ways. Both feature sleek, curved edges and a premium glass back (protected by Schott Xensation α glass) that feels substantial in hand. The Pro model elevates this with a distinctive vegan leather option alongside the standard glass finishes, offering enhanced grip and a more luxurious tactile experience. Its frame utilizes aluminum alloy, contrasting with the polycarbonate frame on the standard Note 40. Both maintain IP53 dust and splash resistance. Dimensionally, the Pro is slightly thicker and heavier (7.75mm, 204g vs 7.83mm, 190g for the standard) due to its larger battery and charging coil. The Pro also features a more sophisticated vertical camera island design compared to the standard’s simpler rectangular module.
Display Technology and Visual Experience
Display quality sees a significant leap with the Pro variant. The Infinix Note 40 Pro boasts a larger 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, delivering noticeably more fluid animations and scrolling. Peak brightness reaches 1300 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility. The standard Note 40 uses a 6.7-inch AMOLED display capped at a standard 60Hz refresh rate and a lower peak brightness of 1000 nits. Both screens offer FHD+ resolution (2436 x 1080 pixels), vibrant colors, deep blacks, and support Widevine L1 for HD streaming. Crucially, the Pro model integrates dedicated display enhancement chips, optimizing HDR content playback and reducing power consumption. Both include an under-display optical fingerprint scanner, but the Pro’s sensor is marginally faster and more consistent in real-world testing.
Performance and Hardware Under the Hood
Processing power marks a clear tier separation. The Note 40 Pro is driven by the MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate chipset, an optimized version of the Helio G99 with slightly higher clock speeds (up to 2.2GHz) and improved thermal management. The standard Note 40 employs the MediaTek Helio G99 processor running at up to 2.0GHz. While both are capable of handling daily tasks and moderate gaming, the Pro’s Ultimate variant provides ~10-15% better sustained performance, especially in graphically intensive games or prolonged multitasking sessions. Memory configurations differ: the Pro starts at 8GB RAM (expandable to 16GB via virtual RAM) with 256GB storage, while the standard model offers 8GB RAM (expandable to 16GB) paired with either 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. Both support microSD expansion up to 2TB.
Battery Capacity and Charging Innovations
Battery life is exceptional on both, but charging technology showcases the Pro’s flagship status. The Note 40 Pro packs a 5,000mAh battery paired with All-Round FastCharge 2.0, enabling 70W wired charging (0-100% in approx. 45 mins) and 20W wireless MagCharge using the proprietary MagCase accessory. The standard Note 40 features a slightly smaller 5,000mAh battery (actual capacity difference is negligible) but supports 45W wired charging (0-100% in approx. 60 mins) and crucially, 10W reverse wired charging. Both models include Infinix’s innovative Cheetah X1 power management chip for efficiency and longevity, and support bypass charging for gaming. The Pro model includes the MagKit (MagCase + MagPower pad) in select markets, a significant value addition.
Camera System Capabilities
Camera hardware reveals strategic differences favoring the Pro. The Note 40 Pro features a 108MP primary sensor (Samsung HM6, f/1.75) with advanced Quad Pixel technology for superior low-light performance and detailed 3x in-sensor zoom. It’s joined by a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor, plus a 32MP front camera. The standard Note 40 utilizes a 50MP main camera (f/1.6) with larger individual pixels for decent light capture, accompanied by a 2MP auxiliary lens, and a 32MP selfie camera. Key Pro advantages include OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the main sensor for sharper photos and smoother videos, and superior 4K video recording capabilities at 30fps. The standard model maxes out at 2K@30fps. Both benefit from Infinix’s AI imaging algorithms, but the Pro delivers consistently better dynamic range, detail retention in challenging lighting, and portrait mode edge detection.
Software Experience and Updates
Both devices launch with Android 14 overlaid by Infinix’s XOS 14 interface. The software experience is nearly identical, featuring the Smart Panel for quick settings and app shortcuts, XArena for gaming optimization, and extensive customization options. However, the Pro model leverages its faster chipset and higher refresh rate display for noticeably smoother UI interactions and quicker app launches. A critical differentiation lies in the update policy. Infinix officially commits to two major Android OS updates and three years of security patches for the Note 40 Pro. The standard Note 40 is currently confirmed for one major OS update (Android 15) and two years of security updates, making the Pro a more future-proof investment.
Audio, Connectivity, and Extra Features
The audio experience is a Pro stronghold. It features a dual-speaker setup (one bottom-firing, one integrated into the earpiece) tuned by JBL, delivering richer, louder, and more immersive stereo sound with clearer highs and deeper bass. The standard model retains a single bottom-firing speaker, which is adequate but lacks spatial depth. Both include a 3.5mm headphone jack and support Hi-Res audio. Connectivity is identical: dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GPS. Unique to the entire Note 40 series is the Magnetic Charging Ecosystem. While both support MagCharge via accessories, the Pro’s bundled MagKit and higher wireless charging wattage offer a more seamless and faster wireless experience. Both models include the programmable X1 Cheetah key on the left frame for launching apps or functions.