Infinix S4 review

ong before the battle for the phones with the widest screens became a part of smartphone manufacturing, it was easy to predict the kind of device to expect from the various brands. But the emergence of the notch, the hunger for edge-to-edge displays, and the adoption of premium features by mid-range OEMs has turned the page in the mobile industry especially for brands like Infinix.

This year alone, the company has exhibited prowess on the market. First, with the launch of the Hot 7 — which we believe is the model device for mid range smartphones, with flagship specifications, at an entry-level pricing — and now the delivery of the Infinix S4, the new Selfie King.

To be realistic, the S4 is very unique among all the smartphones that Infinix has brought to the market. The S-series are primarily selfie camera smartphones, and they come with superb cameras that run the show. But the new S raises the bar with even more intriguing specifications that you can’t afford to miss.                                          

Hardware and Build

The Infinix S4 is distinct from its predecessors, coming with a water-drop notch that spreads out the 6.2-inch Super FullView display perfectly well while humbly busking room for the selfie camera. The screen width has been perfected by most of the mid-range phones introduced to the market of late, and the assimilation of the 19:9 aspect ratio makes the equation balanced with a beautiful output.

On the backside, Infinix retrieves the shiny cover that came with the S3X. A knock on the back cover would convince you that it is glass, but it is actually plastic that has been fitted quite well to give the S4 a cool and decent look. It is here that you find the fingerprint sensor, the triple camera setup in a vertical array, and the accompanying flashlight just below the trio.

Volume and power buttons to the right, SIM card and microSD slots to the left, and the microUSB port, speaker plus the headphone jack, make up the other external features on the device – all fully fitted with a metallic coat running about the phone’s ribs.

Cameras

Infinix beat the odds to pack three rear cameras on a single device for the first time, with the S4’s package comprising of 13MP + 8MP + 2MP sensors. Besides being powered by Artificial Intelligence, the camera array is equipped with Auto-focus, a feature that fine tunes its focus for vivid photography.                                                                                                                                                                                   As you take your photos, the cameras can sense the environment you are in as well as the activity going on, and they will take the best possible shot of it. There is an option to switch between various modes such as AI Cam, Beauty, Bokeh, AR Shot, and video – as well as the availability of settings such as tagging your location to an image, delaying the capture, among others.

The front facing 32MP camera sensor is the key attribute of the Infinix S4 and it does not disappoint. For those that love clear images taken without filters or add-ons, this is the perfect companion to achieving that.

Software

As new as it comes, the S4 runs on Android Pie right from the box – just over Infinix’s XOS version 5, also known as Cheetah. A combination of the two offers a unique and easy to use interface that turns almost every activity intelligent and Smart – which is the key enhancement employed in the XOS Cheetah.

From Smartening your communication via video chats and messaging, to delivering intelligent notifications, and redesigning the app icons into a more elegant look; the Infinix S4 OS presents an irresistible outlook that makes playing with the phone a seemless activity. You are guaranteed of an enhanced security for content safety, ability to create your own themes for the base guidelines, and an efficient battery life management.

One cool addition made is the smart panel available on the device’s home screen side; which you can draw to bring features closer while giving you easier access to some functions. 

Performance

Infinix ships the 2.0GHz Octa-Core Mediatek P22 processor with 3GB of RAM on the S4, giving the phone an optimum performance right when you need it. The inclusion of video games was an indicator of the company’s trust in the handset handling as much activity and this is indeed a reality.

On the sidelines of the processor power is a 32GB internal memory which is a good starting point for your data storage. In the case that you want any more space, there is a microSD card slot, that allows for expansion up to 128GB.

The S4 packs an impressive 4000mAh battery capable of running for more than a day on a single charge, even when you use it as much as you wish. There is a Battery lab in the phone settings, which keeps you aware of how much time you have left for the battery to die out.

Security-wise, you can choose between having a screen lock like a pattern, PIN or Password; a fingerprint unlock; or a face unlock to keep your phone secure from intruders. You can also set up the ‘Find My Device’ app on the phone to easily locate your device remotely and keep your data secure if at all you lose it.

Infinix S4 Specifications

Announced: May 2019
Available: May 2019
Model: Infinix S4
SIM: Dual Micro-SIM
OS: Android™ 9 Pie
Network: GSM, WCDMA, LTE
Display: 6.2-inch HD+ Super FULLVIEW, 1500 x 720px
CPU: MT6267 2.0 GHz
Memory: 32GB ROM, 3GB RAM, microSD slot
Rear Camera: 13MP + 8MP + 2MP triple rear cameras with quad-flash 
Front Camera: 32MP  front Camera 
Sensors: G-sensor, E-compass, L-sensor, Proximity Sensor, Gyroscope, Fingerprint
Battery: Non -Removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh

Infinix S4 Vs Other triple-rear-camera smartphones

It could be hard for one to find a phone like the Infinix S4 at a rate cheaper than it is priced. This is because brings home numerous high end features that we had only witnessed on smartphones close to or above the UGX 1,000,000 mark.

Am not going to compare the device with the Galaxy S10+, Huawei P30 Lite, or the Xiaomi Mi 9. But at a cost of UGX 585,000, the S4 compacts much of the features that these globally sold out triple-camera phones have mastered into its simple design to output the beauty that it is.

The key aspect to note in this is that Infinix cuts down on the zeal one could have had to acquire a highly-priced handset because of a unique feature, while offering a more pleasant deal.

Infinix S4 Vs Powerful selfie camera phones

We’ve seen the Camon 11 and its Pro version, last year’s Infinix S3, and a number of other devices that have sported really powerful front cameras. These have been within and below the 20MP sensor range and could not have emerged any earlier with something more. The S4 has a 32MP selfie cam, powered by AI, and the competition that was is no longer.

Verdict

A triple-camera setup on the rear, 32MP front camera, 3GB RAM, and 4000mAh battery; All at UGX 585,000? You could be kidding if you asked for more. It is just an impressive gadget with awesome new features and extraordinary photography – making it a must have before 2019 ends.