Slap the word Pro to your device’s name and instantly, expectations are going to skyrocket. It’s just one word, but it is a word that carries a lot of meaning and promise. A pro phone is supposed to be the best of the best. It’s supposed to offer performance that’s of quality, but most importantly, pleasing to most consumers.
Infinix isn’t exactly a brand you’d associate with the word pro, but their Infinix Note 10 Pro 2022 looks to change that. Can this be the device that catapults Infinix to top-of-mind status in the midrange smartphone market?
Let’s see if it checks all the needed boxes.
Pro Design? Check!
The Infinix Note 10 Pro is plastic done right. While plastic is material that isn’t exactly associated with pro use, the brand did a good job at crafting a device that felt premium and good to the touch. Plus, it also helps that plastic doesn’t easily break unlike glass. Form is pointless if it doesn’t function well.
Infinix also added a couple of bells and whistles to its design, with unique patterns on the bottom half of the back of the phone. Be wary of fingerprints, however, as the back gets plenty of them over use. Using a case feels inevitable, but I wouldn’t blame you if you opted to go for a clear case to show off this device.
Pro Performance? Check!
One of the strongest selling points of the Infinix Note 10 Pro is its MediaTek Helio G95 processor. Again, this is no longer the MediaTek of old; the chipset company has grown considerably, and the Note 10 Pro’s internals is further proof of this.
Using the device for day-to-day use was a delight. Animations were snappy, despite its incredibly colorful software (more on that later). Stutters were few and far between and more often than not, you’d need to really push this device if you wanted it to lag.
One way of pushing this device: playing heavy games with high graphic configurations. Play it with the highest of settings and it will experience stutters. But for the most part, the Infinix Note 10 Pro handled itself well, and it deserves its flowers.
Pro Media Consumption Experience? Check!
A good performing phone in 2022 is pointless if consuming media in it is a drag. Thankfully, that isn’t a case, largely thanks to its 6.95-inch IPS LCD screen that has a resolution of 2460 x 1080.
Watching Netflix and HBO GO is a breeze with this device. Colors were good and never felt faint and the screen handled itself well in various lighting conditions. Its speakers also do a good job at providing an immersive and complete media consumption experience for consumers
All of those features seem basic, but if there’s one feature from this device’s media tools that makes it stand out, it’s its offering of 256GB worth of storage for less than PhP 10,000. That’s far from normal, as most devices within this range offer just 128GB worth of storage. That’s a big help, especially for users who save a lot of songs or videos on their various streaming platforms.
Pro Software? Not so much.
Sadly, despite promising hardware and media consumption tools, this is where the Infinix Note 10 Pro ran into the most troubles during the review process.
Pro Software means it can be used and appreciated by most users. There will be a portion of the smart phone-consuming market that won’t find any issues with Infinix’s version of Android and that’s totally understandable. But the sentiment of the other portion, the ones who have long begged for a smoother and more stock-like experience, matters as well.
It’s a fast experience, but it’s littered by bloatware and overall software design that’s cluttered and messy. Rival brands have ran into this problem as well, but most of them have learned to blend colorful designs with a more stock like experience.
There’s nothing wrong with having a device that’s distinct to the brand that it carries. But the Infinix Note 10 Pro feels too much like an Infinix phone rather than a good Infinix phone that also happens to have a good Android experience. That distinction matters, especially to a consumer base that’s become more prickly and intelligent.
Pro Camera? Sometimes.
It’s a good thing for most users, software isn’t the item that makes or breaks their decision at buying a device. In 2022, that title belongs to a phone’s camera performance. The Infinix Note 10 Pro 2022, at worst, is hit-or-miss.
The first night I reviewed this device, I immediately tried it against harsh lighting conditions. Its rear camera handled itself well, while the selfie camera struggled with limited natural light sources.
Photos of the location my friends and I ate in were good, but our shots together were far from IG-worthy. Sorry guys, this can’t go to the ‘gram.
A few days later, my wife and I asked the photographer of our post nupital shoot to test out the camera of the device in the location we were in. Results and insights were also mixed, this time leaning more to the good side, despite consistently good lighting conditions.
Its 64MP primary sensor captured details well, but most of its issues were with color reproduction. Infinix had a tendency of over saturating shots. It’s to the point that it felt like a rainbow had vomited on our photos. It’s a good thing this may not be an issue for most consumers, but it’s still something to take note of.
Finally, my wife and I tested out the camera during a recent date, and results were once again mixed. Surprisingly, indoor selfies with decent lighting came out balanced with its color reproduction. Photos of the food were colorful and rich.
Ultimately, the Note 10 Pro comes out with shots that will be judged dependent on a person’s taste. But for the most part, they aren’t bad. They just aren’t what you’d call a Pro Camera.
Is this your GadgetMatch?
At PhP 9,990, the Infinix Note 10 Pro 2022 faces a lot of stiff competition from other brands. This is a segment of the market littered with multiple users and options are aplenty. Does Infinix have anything from this device that allows it to stand out?
Admittedly, for most gamers and media consumers, this device will likely get the job done. But for passionate office workers and social media mavens, there are better options out there.
While it won’t catapult Infinix as the top-of-the-mind brand in the market, it’s a good device nonetheless, especially if you’re looking for one that has plenty of storage at a good price.