Infinix launches the Note 8 and 8i: budget phablets with the Helio G80 processor

Certain leaks have painted the Infinix Note 8 and 8i as devices that, based on their rumored specs, might be able to prove an issue for more established cost-effective prospects such as the Realme 6i or Poco M2. Now, the brand has finally unleashed these two devices, thus giving a better idea of whether or not this will be the case.

The flagship of the series, the Note 8, has a quad rear camera set-up with a 64MP primary sensor. The other 3 are all 2MP, however, having different "portrait", "macro" functions, as well as a less familiar "AI lens". The new device also has a dual punch-hole that houses 16+2MP selfie shooters. The 8i, on the other hand, has a 48MP primary camera with the same triple 2MP array going on, and has a single 8MP in-display front-facing camera.

Infinix also asserts that the 8 and 8i cameras are enhanced with auto-focus (AF) and fixed focus (FF) in all cases. Their rear sensors are accompanied by quad-LED flashes: it would be interesting to see what the phones can make of this revived spec.

Both phones in this new Note 8 series are powered by the Helio G80 SoC and have 6GB of RAM with 128GB of internal storage. However, the 8i supports microSD card expansion to the tune of 512GB, whereas the 8 can use cards of up to 2TB. They also run a software skin called XOS 7.1 that overlays Android 10.

Therefore, their only remaining significant difference lies in their displays. The Note 8i rocks a 6.78-inch IPS TFT display, whereas the Note 8 has an IPS LCD panel with a diagonal length of no less than 6.95 inches. However, their overt devotion to the "phablet" denomination may not be as much of an upside as it may look on paper.

These screens, particularly big even for 2020 as they may be, are also both HD+ (1640x720, in fact). By contrast, its possible rivals are nearer the 6.5-inch mark, and are usually FHD+ into the bargain. Therefore, they are more likely to be pixel-rich, not to mention pocketable, compared to these new contenders. 

On the other hand, these new Infinix options may prove attractive to those looking for big screens that might make a lot of their (supposedly gaming-focused) MediaTek chipset. Nevertheless, it remains that Infinix has gone and priced the Note 8 at about US$200, whereas the Poco M2 started at about $150 and the Realme 6i or Narzo 10 were closer to $160.

Infinix has yet to release pricing information on the Note 8i, however, or the availability of either phone. Therefore, we may have to wait a little longer to see how they stack up against others in their sector of the smartphone market.