Infinix Smart 10 Review: a budget Phone with big surprises

Let’s get one thing out of the way: the Infinix Smart 10 is very affordable. Like, less-than-a-night-out-in-Lagos cheap. At around ₦100,000, it’s one of the most affordable smartphones on the market right now.

But don’t let that price fool you. For an entry-level phone, the Smart 10 brings more to the table than you’d expect, and for most everyday users, that’s more than enough.

So, what exactly do you get for ₦100K in 2025? Surprisingly, quite a bit.

Also Read: 10 smartphones you can buy for less than N200,000 in 2025.

The Unboxing Experience

Infinix keeps it simple and practical. Inside the box, you’ll find the phone, a USB-C charging cable, a 10W charging brick, a transparent protective case, and a SIM ejector tool. No earphones this time, which isn’t a shocker at this price point.

The included case will also protect your device from light scratches.

First Impressions & Design

The Smart 10 feels surprisingly lightweight in the hand. It’s not bulky or awkward to hold, and you could forget it’s even there after a while.

The titanium silver finish gives off a decent mid-range vibe. It’s a minimalist build: volume rockers and a power button (that doubles as a fingerprint sensor) sit on the side, dual speakers sit top and bottom, and there’s a trusty 3.5mm earphone jack alongside the USB-C port.

You also get a 6.67-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. And for a phone in this price range, that’s wild. Whether you’re scrolling through TikTok or just doom-scrolling your Twitter feed, the smoothness is very noticeable.

The screen resolution, however, is capped at 720p. Indoors, brightness is fine. Outdoors under direct sun? It also pulls its weight, maxing out at 700 nits, which isn’t bad.

Audio that Surprises

One of the standout features of the Smart 10 is its audio performance. The dual stereo speakers are loud, clear, and far better than the tinny sound you’d expect from a phone at this price. Whether you’re bingeing Instagram Reels or watching YouTube videos late at night, the sound quality delivers.

Performance: Reality Check

Under the hood, the Smart 10 packs a Unisoc T7250 chip, which means a slight performance upgrade from the T615 we see on the Infinix Smart 9.

Opening apps feels smooth.

I got the 64GB of storage and 3GB of RAM (plus virtual RAM) variant, and if you want a smoother ride, try to snag the 4GB/128GB version. You also get some fun features like the IR blaster.

Despite the price point, Infinix has bundled in some AI smarts. Folax, the voice assistant, can handle basic tasks like setting schedules or reminders. You also get AI tools like document summarisation and a writing assistant, neat touches for students or productivity-focused users.

Camera: Decent for Daylight

The camera setup is modest. An 8MP main shooter and 2MP depth sensor on the back do okay in bright daylight, but anything less and the grain comes out fast.

The 8MP selfie camera performs better in some scenarios, thanks to a dedicated flash, which makes it perfect for low-light selfies and late-night video calls. There are various camera modes available, and honestly, if you are a lightweight shooter, this would do the trick for you.

Battery Life & Charging

Battery life is solid. The 5000 mAh battery easily powers through a day of regular use. Charging is also improved from the Smart 9. The 10W charger gets you from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. It’s not blazing fast, but it’s better than most of the devices in the price range.

But hold on. The Infinix Smart 10 is not a flagship device; thus, you are not getting flagship perks like reverse wireless charging, a high-resolution camera sensor, and definitely no rugged build, which are available on the Note series variant.

While the phone is IP64-rated for splash and dust resistance, you should avoid drops and use the case.

Also read: Infinix Note 50 Pro Review: When Budget Phones Stop Feeling Budget

Final Verdict: Who Is This For?

The Infinix Smart 10 is built for light users, people who want a phone that looks decent, handles basic apps, and doesn’t cost a fortune. If your daily needs revolve around calls, messaging, social media, some light photography, and YouTube, it’ll serve you just fine.

But if you’re after a phone that can handle gaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking, this isn’t your guy. You’d be better off going a few steps up in price to get the Infinix Smart 10 Plus variant.

For what it is — a no-frills, everyday smartphone — the Smart 10 plays its role well and even throws in a few fun surprises. And in today’s economy, that’s worth appreciating.